All the Hidden Paths Quotes

“You just have to—” he waved his free hand, searching for the right words, “—persist at understanding people, and what they want, and why, and how to talk to them about it, even when you’d much rather not.”
― Foz Meadows, All the Hidden Paths

“He was lonely,” Markel signed again, “but he would’ve rather been lonely forever than have me stay out of obligation. Even at fifteen.”
― Foz Meadows, All the Hidden Paths

“The wild plants feed the bees and birds, the rabbits and deer, and do the grass no harm; indeed, it takes more effort to water and hold the soil together without them. Blank lawns are a great big show of nothing.”
― Foz Meadows, All the Hidden Paths

“[Markel signing] '...If I'd just been a little sharper--'
'You're plenty sharp, Markel,' I said, smiling at him. 'Like an oddly maternal knife.”
― Foz Meadows, All the Hidden Paths

“I can feel the pair of you mother-henning me from here,' Vel called from the bathroom door. 'It smacks of conspiracy.'
'You'll be cared about and you'll like it!' Cae called back.”
― Foz Meadows, All the Hidden Paths

“But Vel always matters; he matters most of all. I love him. I want him so much to be happy. I want him so much--”
― Foz Meadows, All the Hidden Paths

“You think I don't love Caethari, but I do. I love him so much I hardly know what to do with it.”
― Foz Meadows, All the Hidden Paths

“Until, of course, it was time to turn in, at which point Markel and I realised simultaneously that we’d be bedding down with our respective romantic partners while in sight and sound of each other. We both froze, our horrified gazes locked across the fire in a mutual parody of Ralian embarrassment while Cae and Telitha, politely oblivious to our awkwardness, prepared our beds.

“We will not speak of this,” Markel signed fiercely at me.

“Never,” I signed back in fervent agreement.”
― Foz Meadows, All the Hidden Paths

“Slyly I said, "So you do like him."
Markel’s expression was pained. “He’s a familiar sort of stupid, that’s all,” he signed. “Like you at eighteen, but with better hair.”
― Foz Meadows, All the Hidden Paths

“It’s not … he might not even want to,” I said softly. “I’ve only brought him pain.” Markel stopped dead and grabbed my arm, pulling me to a halt. I looked at him, surprised, and felt my cheeks burn as he signed to me, strong and certain, “Velasin, that man is besotted with you. If you asked him to lie naked in the road to prove he loved you, he’d start stripping before you’d even finished the sentence.”
― Foz Meadows, All the Hidden Paths