_hellcat

“Pain can be beautiful," he says, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "It can transform. It can create."
"But I don't want to be in pain," says Henry hoarsely. "I want-"
"You want to be loved."
A small empty sound, half cough, half sob. "Yes."
"Then be loved."
"You make it sound simple."
"It is," says the stranger. "If you're willing to pay.”
― V.E. Schwab, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

“And old enough to know that womenfolk have little enough power of their own. That is why they must have their charms and their tricks. Their books and their ink and blood. Their eyes, their smiles, their hips; their lace and silk, their ribbons and thread …These are your weapons, dearie. You must use them as best you can.”
― Kell Woods, After the Forest

“Alaric paid no attention to the appreciative murmurs rippling through the crowd. He no longer noticed the ceiling or the altar or the view of the skyline. All he saw was Talasyn.”
― Thea Guanzon, The Hurricane Wars

“Finally the church bell tolls, the same low tone it calls at funerals, and she forces herself to her feet.
Her father touches her arm.
His face is sorry, but his grip is firm.
"You will come to love your husband," he says, but the words are clearly more wish than promise.
"You will be a good wife," says her mother, and hers are more command than wish.
And then Estele appears in the doorway, dressed as if she is in mourning. And why shouldn't she be? This woman who taught her of wild dreams and willful gods, who filled Adeline's head with thoughts of freedom, blew on the embers of hope and let her believe a life could be her own.”
― V.E. Schwab, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue