Devastation Quotes

“I don't care about your family," he said sharply. "Whatever you choose must be for you and you alone. You waste my time. This is no riddle to debate and stew. Just choose," He bellowed, causing me to jump.
[...]
"Refuge," I whispered.
The growling stopped.”
― M J Haag, Devastation: A Beauty and the Beast Novel

“I reached across the table and set my hand on his.  I had no words to offer him.  We were meant to make mistakes.  We learned from them. ”
― M.J. Haag, Devastation

“Nothing ever stayed the same.  But tomorrow had to be better.”
― M.J. Haag, Devastation

“I cannot accept any more from you without knowing the price”
― M J Haag, Devastation: A Beauty and the Beast Novel

“For a moment, I felt pity for Blye.  Her search for material wealth and social standing wouldn’t bring her happiness.  Happiness wasn’t so easily obtained.  It took kindness and some true sacrifice, neither concept truly understood by my sister. I”
― M.J. Haag, Devastation

“My mouth popped open. Generosity from the beast was the last thing I'd expected.”
― M J Haag, Devastation: A Beauty and the Beast Novel

“He growled, threw fits, chased me about the estate, made all manner of inappropriate demands of me, but he also did something else.” “What?” My chest ached with the truth. “He made me love him,” I said, finally meeting his eyes.”
― M.J. Haag, Devastation

“under Tam’s care.  People milled about”
― M.J. Haag, Devastation

“He had held my heart as the beast; and though I’d tried to deny it, he held my heart still.  He wasn’t perfect, but I’d never wanted perfect like my sisters had.  I’d wanted real.  I wanted someone who could love me as I was and who I could love as he was.”
― M.J. Haag, Devastation

“A noise woke me in the middle of the night.  When I opened my eyes, I found Rose beside the bed and sat up with a gasp.  Panic flooded me while Alec remained undisturbed in his slumber. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “I’m here to thank you, Benella,” she said, surprising and confusing me.  “And to say good-bye.  What I set out to do has been done.  Alec has found purpose and love.  I only hope that someday you’ll forgive me for the lies and manipulations I used to bring you two together.” “You’re leaving?”  I didn’t trust that I’d understood her correctly. She smiled at me. “Yes.  As I promised.  I was only waiting for you to see the truth.  A truth I saw within you so long ago when your family first came to this area.  The possibility of love—for him.” “What do you mean when we first came here?  I didn’t meet you until we moved to the Water.” She studied me for a moment before answering. “I’ve watched over the North for a long time.  I knew of you as soon as you entered its boundaries.  I’ve watched you since you were young, observed how you overcame each trial life gave you.  You are intelligent, determined, courageous, and kind.  And I knew once I sent you to the beast, you would find a way to free him.  Yet, I worried for you.  Your strength was also your weakness.  You were too kind.  Too willing to sacrifice yourself for those you cared for.  I helped you as much as I could while still keeping both of you unaware.  Alec had so much to learn; you had so much to teach him. “Hold fast to your love for one another, and this life will not disappoint you.  You will balance each other well.” She turned to go. “Wait,” I said, believing she really meant it.  Though I still resented the way I’d been used, I also realized, without her manipulations, I wouldn’t have met Alec. She stopped and looked back at me. I slipped from the bed, unconcerned with my nakedness and crossed the room. “I already forgive you.  Thank you for sending me here, for bringing me him.” Rose surprised me by sniffling. “I wanted to spare you but not as much as I wanted you to truly find happiness.”  She hugged me tightly. “You don’t need to leave.” “I”
― M.J. Haag, Devastation

“She gets her stubbornness from me and her intelligence from her mother,” my father said. His words made me pause in the library, just out of sight.  I would argue that I had his intelligence. “Books, the written word, captivate me.  But I forgot them all when my wife first spoke to me.  We were wed twelve years before she passed.  I learned a few things in those years.  When a woman leaves a room in a storm, best wait till the thunder fades before you walk out lest you risk being struck by lightning.  Or worse, a frying pan.” Lord”
― M.J. Haag, Devastation

“Curled on my side, I snuggled deeper into the pile of furs lying under me. From the darkness, something growled softly and silenced the bird as a large warm hand soothed my hair. I sank back into my slumber.”
― M J Haag, Devastation: A Beauty and the Beast Novel

“I give this freely”
― M J Haag, Devastation: A Beauty and the Beast Novel

“I... thank you for your offer," I said slowly, "but I've taken so much from the estate already."
"You scorn my offer?"
The roar of his rage momentarily deafened me and startled nearby birds from their roosts. Rubbing my ears, I hastily tried to assure him.”
― M J Haag, Devastation: A Beauty and the Beast Novel