Heart of Shadow (Seven Swords, #1)

by Sarah K.L. Wilson

“All swords are evil, Ilsaletta,” he said gently. “For they are made for one thing only – to slice the cord of a man’s life. But some evils are necessary or there will be no good.”

Better to stand firm and face them as they come. Cowardice is the friend of fools. I am not firm. I am shattering. I am pieces of the girl I once was.

“No need for violence.” “Then why are you holding a sword?” My voice is raw

It’s well to feel – that keeps you human – but you don’t have time to feel right now. Wrap up all those emotions into a knot and set them aside in your mind. You can return to them later when there is time for them.

I am still shattered inside, but shattered glass can slice.

We all grow tired from time to time. The brave dig deep and find a reason to go on. Cowards sit down and sleep and never again rise.

What others have done is not your shame to bear.

Scourge save me from the spring weather blowing of young women’s affections. First, he’s so beautiful you can hardly breathe. Now you’re finding his flaws and listing them.

“I expected a cold marriage, but not one with so much violence,” the duke says,

What is not for you? Only name it and I shall present it to you, star of morning.

Totally not crying *sobs *

It is not your fault that you have stumbled onto this. And you should not be embarrassed for being more noble – more dignified – than any of them ever were.

Listen. You can’t let that choke you up right now. We all do things we need to do to survive.

I don’t understand why ‘scream like a girl’ is considered an insult. Have you been to a childbed before?

Many women scream in childbed. Scream with such power and might that they defy pain and bring into the world vibrant new life. There is power in their screams. Strength and defiance. They show that being afraid need not conquer you and that agony is not the end but a beginning.