Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1)

by Rebecca Ross

Do you ever feel as if you wear armor, day after day? That when people look at you, they see only the shine of steel that you’ve so carefully encased yourself in? They see what they want to see in you—the warped reflection of their own face, or a piece of the sky, or a shadow cast between buildings. They see all the times you’ve made mistakes, all the times you’ve failed, all the times you’ve hurt them or disappointed them. As if that is all you will ever be in their eyes.

to be vulnerable is a strength most of us fear. It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see you as you are.

My favorite season is autumn, because my mum and I both believed that’s the only time when magic can be tasted in the air.

It’s not a crime to feel joy, even when things seem hopeless. Iris, look at me. You deserve all the happiness in the world. And I intend to see that you have it.”