How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (The Folk of the Air, #3.5)

by Holly Black

“In fact, he annoyed the village witch so much that she cursed him. He behaved as though he had a heart of stone, so she gave him one.

You deserve—” He couldn’t get out the rest of the sentence. You deserved everything you got. That would have been a lie, and while the Folk could trick and deceive, no untruth could pass their lips.

Choose a future, Balekin had commanded him when he’d first brought Cardan to Hollow Hall. But no one chooses a future. You choose a path without being certain where it leads.

“But a prince like yourself, what possible reason would you have to learn a rogue’s trick?” “Who doesn’t want to control fate?” Cardan answered, setting his coin to spinning again. The Roach slammed his hand down on the table, breaking the pattern. “Remember, all you really get to control is yourself.”

“Everyone finds different lessons in stories, I suppose, but here’s one. Having a heart is terrible, but you need one anyway.