Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper Quotes

“There are things
that make no sense,
that seem unreal,
that can’t be grasped
or understood
or explained,
that maybe don’t even exist…
And still, somehow, those wonderful things touch and change our lives.
Isn’t it strange?”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

“Death. What a brief word for the extinguishing of life. To be no more. To have days cut off and at their end. To never again..........anything.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

“Some live for their own joy and pleasure.
Some live to ease the burdens of others.  
Then there are those who seem to exist for pain's sake only, that in the end the wrathful fire sent to consume their oppressors will be justified."

~ In loving memory of Miss Annabelle Fancher”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

“A monster's worst fear is of being found.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

“It is a key keeper’s right to bestow a copy of his key on anyone he wishes. But this practice―a phenomenal rite―is hardly ever performed. To receive a copy of the key means to have its imprint seared into your hand. Holding that branded replica over the front lock miraculously parts the gates to Dreamland. It works just as effectively as inserting the genuine key. Staggering to think about, isn’t it? You might consider clenching your fists when you dream.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

“Reality depends a great deal upon one believing what he sees—or seeing what he believes. Either way.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

“A warm feeling fell over the boy. A mix of security and comfort, as if a blanket were wrapping its soft layers around his heart and nuzzling him snuggly. Gavin loved his mother, and he would be forever grateful to his father for protecting her. The whole mystery behind it made him itch with curiosity, however.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

“The truth is that few know the truth.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

“When the girl didn’t move, Gavin summoned her near with his fingers. His heart thrummed as she obeyed, stepping up close to him. Her young stature was much shorter than his tall, wiry form. Gavin regarded her prettiness—pale cheeks, pink lips, inquisitive eyes. Fascinated by her, he longed to know her name.

“Who are you?” he asked. He heard the girl utter the same question at the same time.

Cocking his head, he claimed, “I asked you first.”

“No you didn’t,” she protested, shaking her red-hooded head. “I asked you at the same time you asked me.”

Gavin grinned at her insistence. It was hard for him not to chuckle. “Well then, I suppose we’ll have to go with ‘girls first.’” His grin widened into a white smile.

The girl gestured to herself. “I’m Little Red Riding Hood.”

He recognized the name of a fairy tale character and groaned under his breath at not having discovered this dreamer’s real name.

“Actually,” she confessed almost immediately, “I’m not really Red Riding Hood. My name is Annabelle, but I’m pretending to be her because… well… because this is my dream and that’s what I wish to dream about.”

Oh glorious day! He had learned her name! Annabelle! Annabelle! What a perfectly sweet sound was this utterance of… Annabelle!”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

“Gavin stood within the trees, observing her from the shadows. He watched the basket rise to her nose as she closed her eyes to sniff at its contents. A smile told him it smelled delicious, but she didn’t open the container to pinch off a sample. Instead, the basket lowered to swing at her side as it had previously done.

All at once the air was filled with soft singing--a sweet, merry tune comprised of ludicrous lyrics. It was impossible not to grin at the words.

“Rainbows paint the sky ‘til the sun melts their colors.
Swinging in the wind, whiskered cattails purr.
The pigs gallop by and snort at the moon,
While frogs kiss the lizards and princesses too.””
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

“Son, I hope your opinion of your mother hasn’t lessened, knowing what you now know.”

Gavin glanced up; incredulity skewed his eyebrows. His expression appeared both stunned and appalled. “Never, Father! I love her! It makes no difference to me where she came from.”

The man nodded, a show of relief in his features. His large hand, soft in touch, went to brush a string of hair away from his wife’s peaceful profile. “Your mother loves you too, son, more than anything in the world. She worries about you, day and night.”

That sentiment stirred something profoundly pleasant inside the boy. He grinned at the internal warmth it created.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

“And so the game went on in this manner, a throng of children playing keep-away from a bowling ball tossed back and forth between two plump ogres. The air filled with shrieks and cheers and shouts of laughter as daring players thrilled at the sport. That is, all but the few poor souls knocked flat and captured. No laughter rose from behind bars because those in the birdcage knew what was in store. They would soon be lunch for a couple of hungry ogres.

Now you might be thinking—didn’t Gavin call it fun when he was swallowed by a wolf earlier? And didn’t he tell that raven-haired girl it doesn’t hurt to be swallowed whole by a bear? All true, all true. But here’s a secret you might not know.

Ogres chew their food.

Luckily, it’s only the first bite that stings.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper