Spellmaker (Spellbreaker Duology, #2)

by Charlie N. Holmberg

Elsie had let him get too close. Any closer, and he was liable to discover whatever it was that turned people away from her, that marked her as forgettable, unwanted, unlovable.

“But it is easy to miss the pain of being different when you fit in so well with the standard.”

She’d spent her whole life wanting to be wanted. To be . . . loved.

If there’s one pattern history teaches us, it’s that the rich start the wars and force the poor to soldier them.”

A person could believe something to be true that wasn’t—a selfish person might think themselves kind, or an ugly person think themselves beautiful. And so truth was a sticky thing of wavering substance,

Doubt was a long-term companion

Then, with an encouraging smile, she hurried into the nave to spread her flowers before sitting down. It was tradition, ensuring a happy path for the bride.

No one could ever forget their deepest hurts, only learn to better shoulder them.