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January 10 - January 11, 2024
Humans lie.
Humans lie with their lips, but fae lie to themselves.
Humans lie, but only in the beds fae make for them.
That’s one of the troubles of being gifted with the Flame. Common fae envy our power, the way the Fates gifted the royal lines of Alondria with unique abilities, specific to the type of magic that buzzes within our veins.
From what I can tell from others, from what I’ve read, crying has its own magical benefits, a gift passed down from the Fates. It’s known for its healing properties, the way it soothes the soul and calms the mind.
We never seem to prosecute it like we would any other crime. Take our food, and we sue. Take our jewels, and you might lose a hand.
Take our hearts, and we’ll pretend we offered them freely.
Humans lie, but fae lie to themselves.
“At least I know they’ll never take you away from me,”
“From where I’m standing, there was nothing for that boy to work through.”
“Not your muscles or your bones. Your heart, Farin. You are kind, and you are curious, and you’ve taken—” She choked on the memories the words brought to her mind. “—you’ve endured so much pain, so much hate, and yet, it’s never once broken you. It’s never caused you to lash out or become cruel. That is strength, Farin. To endure cruelty and remain tender in heart. It takes strong skin not to develop a callous.”
“Maybe falling out of love with someone isn’t like that,” I offered. “Maybe it’s just something that happens when we aren’t paying attention to it. Not one pivotal moment. It’s just all the little not-moments that add up. The moments we forget to make.”
“The next being to leave as much as a scratch on your skin forfeits their privilege to breathe.”
“Because it is a dangerous thing for the prey to captivate its predator.”
“What did you think I was doing that day in the library when you accused me of committing treason?” “Trying to look innocent as you committed treason, obviously.”
“He should have chosen you years ago.”
“No Asha, Queen of Naenden, weaver of tales and protector of the helpless, a girl—no, a woman—like you deserves to be cherished. Right here. Right now. To eternity and every fleeting moment in between.”
When he spoke, his words hung in the sweltering air between us. “When are you going to forgive me, love?”
“I don’t know why you’re complaining. All the plan requires of you is to exist. Which seems like all you’ve been intent on doing these days.”
true bravery rips the soul wide open. That there’s nothing that hurts more than being truly courageous. And that, if one lives through their bravery, they’re rewarded with a heart immune to being ripped open by anyone else.
Because if I was given the choice to go back and do it over again, I know I’d make the same decision. Because to choose differently would be to choose to have never met you.”
“Love doesn’t change people. Not really,” I said. “If not love, then what?”
How many times can a cut heal before it leaves a scar?
“Because if it’s true, then I fell in love with a monster all on my own. Without anyone’s help.”
“I will always choose those who choose me.”
Whatever you want to know, I’m more than happy to supply. If it were up to me, you’d know all of me. Every inch. Every shadow.”
“If you’re talking about these,” he whispered, “all they do is remind me how lucky I am to have ever met you. All they do is remind me that I could have lost you before I ever had the chance to find you. Your body, Asha, as much as I would like to…” His gaze lingered on my lips, his voice catching. “Your body is the vessel that tethers your soul to this side of the sun. It’s what keeps you here with me. That, and that alone, is what I love it for.”
Your son died because he lied to you.
“All your life, you’ve been made to believe that you exist to destroy. That your power exists to destroy. That changes today. Today, you’re going to use it to heal.”
