The Darkest Part of the Forest

by Holly Black

Rowan wood. Protection from faeries.

We are all capable of great self-deception when it serves us.”

He saw now the ways in which they tried to be careful with each other, afraid of hitting those raw places where they might hurt each other almost without trying. But sparing another person is a tricky thing. It’s easy to think you’re succeeding when you’re failing spectacularly.

I wanted to be in love like in the storybooks and songs and ballads. Love that hits you like a lightning bolt.