The Black Witch Quotes

“People see what they expect to see,” he says sharply. “Through a filter of their own hatred and prejudice.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“Real education doesn't make your life easy. It complicates things and makes everything messy and disturbing. But the alternative...is to live your life based on injustice and lies.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“Often you have to fall into the blackness of utter confusion before you can emerge to see even the smallest glimmer of the truth.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“The woods are beautiful. They’re my friends, the trees, and I can feel them smiling down at me. I”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“But for me, life would not be worth living without at least having faith in that one thing—that there is another way, a path of justice, if you will. And that there is at least a very small sliver of hope that this path will one day be discovered.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“Real education doesn’t make your life easy. It complicates things and makes everything messy and disturbing. But the alternative, Elloren Gardner, is to live your life based on injustice and lies.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“My heart speeds up slightly at the sight of them so close, so intimate, and I suddenly feel worried about my friend. It’s one thing to wish Jarod was Gardnerian in the abstract. But he isn’t. He’s the son of his people’s alpha, and Aislinn’s from one of the most conservative families in Gardneria. Our people hate each other. No, this isn’t good. This is a road best not traveled down—a road leading straight off a cliff.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“This Yvan Guriel doesn’t even know me, I lament, glaring resentfully at him out of the corner of my eye. He has no right to be so hateful.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“What do you hunt with, then?” I ask. She fixes her wild amber eyes on me. “My teeth.” She smiles widely, displaying her long, white, glistening canines. The hairs on the back of my neck go up in alarm. “Oh,” I say, swallowing nervously. “You mean when you turn into a wolf?” “Not necessarily,” she says, still smiling dangerously. Holy”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“Reluctantly, I say my goodbyes to Echo and follow behind Aislinn, trying my best to ignore the Kelt, Yvan Guriel, as he sets his fiery green eyes on me and shoots me a parting, hostile glare.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“carefully secure the violin, tuck my music under one arm, force myself to my feet and purposefully walk out to meet my doom—well, as purposefully as one can possibly walk in the most uncomfortable shoes ever invented.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“I run my finger along the textured silk. “It’s so beautiful.” “Salishen silk,” Mage Florel says reverently. “From the Salishen Isles. They’re master weavers, the Salish. True artists. And all of their embroidery is as exquisite as this.” I glance up at her. “Do you think you could use this?” “Of course, Mage Gardner,” she replies, obviously thrilled by my choice. Fallon’s hand comes down on the fabric. “You can’t use this,” she says, her tone hard. I blink up at her in resentful surprise. “Why?” “Because,” she replies, her voice syrupy with condescension, “this is what my dress is being made of.” “Ah, what a pity,” Mage Florel sighs. She pats my shoulder sympathetically. “I’ve others, Mage Gardner, don’t you fret. We’ll find something just as lovely for you...” Heart racing, I put my own hand down firmly on the fabric sample, right next to Fallon’s. I meet Fallon’s stare and hold it. “No. I want this one.” Everyone gapes at me. Fallon leans in a fraction and bares her teeth. “You can’t have it.” I try to ignore the slight trembling of my hand. “Oh, come now, Fallon,” I say as I gesture at the fabric around us, mimicking her sneering tone. “It’s all black. And I’m sure the cut will be different.” I look over at Mage Florel, whose eyes are as wide as everyone else’s. “Can you make sure it’s very different from hers?” Fallon spits out a sound of contempt. “My dress isn’t being made here. I have my own dressmaker.” “Well, then,” I tell her. “That simplifies things.” I turn to Mage Florel. “Can you make it for me in time? With this fabric?” Mage Florel gives me an appraising look, her eyes darting toward Fallon as if weighing the options. She lifts her chin. “Why, yes, Mage Gardner. I think I can.” She smiles coldly at Fallon. “Why don’t you tell me what your dress is like, dear? I’ll make sure it’s quite different.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“Vyvian,” my uncle persists, “I’ve made up my mind about this. I’m not going to change it.” Silence. “Very well.” My aunt sighs with deep disapproval. “I can see you are quite decided at present, but at least let her spend the next week or so with me. It makes perfect sense, as Valgard is on the way from here to the University.” “All right,” he capitulates wearily. “Well,” she says, her tone brightening, “I’m glad that’s settled. Now, if my niece and nephews would kindly stop crouching under the window and come in and join us, it would be lovely to see everyone.” Gareth, Trystan and I give a small start. Rafe turns to me, raises his eyebrows and grins.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“There are assorted side characters, too: the beautiful Gardnerian maidens with their long black hair; wicked Lupine shapeshifters—half-human, half-wolf; green-scaled Snake Elves; and the mysterious Vu Trin sorceresses. They’re characters from the storybooks and songs of my childhood, as familiar to me as the old patchwork quilt that lies on my bed. “Why”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“My heartfelt wish is that you read these books and are thrown into a complete tailspin of befuddlement.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“Professor Hawkkyn’s star eyes sweep coldly over our side of the room. They catch on me and bore in. Recognition lights, like Bornial flint catching fire. “It seems we have a celebrity amongst us,” he marvels, his mouth tilting with incredulity, his eyes tight on me with unnerving intensity. “The granddaughter of the Black Witch.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“I think about how many things my aunt and the others tried to warn me about. It’s just as it says in our sacred text, just as the images on the stained-glass windows portray things to be. The Icarals are hideous things of great Evil, and need to be destroyed before they destroy us. And Sage’s baby, if this is its destiny—to turn into one of those things—then the Mage Council is right in wanting to take it from her, stripping it of its wings and its power. Killing it, even. I shudder to think of those creatures armed with overwhelming power at their disposal, and I know that if my attackers had been in possession of their wings, I’d be dead. And if my aunt is right about this, and about my need to leave home, if her intuition is so good, maybe she’s right about other things, as well. Maybe the Selkies are only dangerous, feral animals—just as horrible as the Icarals when they have their skins. And maybe she’s right about Lukas and wandfasting.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“I’ll tell you what,” he bargains, amused. “There’s a dance every Yule at University. You go with Gareth, and I’ll ask Aislinn Greer.” “I can’t,” I say hesitantly, not wanting to displease my older brother. “I’ve already agreed to go with Lukas.” “Elloren.” He reaches out to touch my arm, his voice once again serious. “I’m not kidding about Lukas Grey. Stay away from him. He’s incredibly powerful. You’re playing with fire there.” Maybe I want to play with fire. “Thanks for the warning,” I say, my tone completely and utterly noncommittal.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“Now,” he says silkily, “what’s this about your never having been kissed?” I open my mouth to say something. To let him know that I don’t know how to kiss, and that I’m probably very bad at it, but before I can say anything, he raises my chin, leans in and brings his lips to mine with gentle pressure, all of my concerns instantly disappearing into a puff of smoke. He lets his lips linger on mine briefly before pulling away a fraction and bringing his mouth close to my ear. “There,” he whispers softly. “Now you’ve been kissed.” I’ve fallen into a complete daze. Aislinn was so very wrong about this.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“Thank you for playing,” I say with honest gratitude. He places an arm casually on the top of the piano, leaning into it. “It was a pleasure. It’s not often that I get to play with a superior musician. It was a privilege, actually.” I laugh nervously. “I’m not the superior musician. I pretty much butchered the beginning.” His eyes glint. “Yes, well, you were nervous. But you quickly made up for it.” He languidly pushes himself up and holds his hand out to me. “I’m Lukas Grey.” “I know,” I reply unsteadily, taking his hand. His handshake is firm and strong. “You know?” he says, cocking an eyebrow. “Fallon. When I saw her take your arm, I figured out who you were. She told me that you’re about to be fasted to her.” “Oh, did she now?” He’s grinning again. “Aren’t you?” “No.” “Oh.” “She did corner me earlier to tell me all about you,” he says, smiling. “What did she say?” “Well, the obvious. That you look exactly like your grandmother.” He leans in so close I can feel his breath on my ear. “I’ve seen portraits of your grandmother. You’re much more attractive than she ever was.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“turn to find out who my savior at the piano is, and my breath hitches when I see him. He is, by far, the best-looking young man I have ever seen in my life, with strong, finely chiseled features, the dashing attire of a Gardnerian soldier and absolutely riveting deep green eyes. And he’s smiling at me. I can guess who this is without needing to be introduced. Lukas Grey.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“raise my eyebrows, relieved to finally be meeting someone outside Fallon’s social circle. I extend my hand to her. “I’m Elloren Gardner.” She laughs and takes my hand in hers. “That’s obvious. I’ve heard all about you.” “Let me guess,” I say guardedly. “I’m the girl who looks exactly like my grandmother?” “No,” she laughs, “you’re the girl who’s been living under a rock somewhere up north. But I think your real claim to fame is that you’ve never been kissed.” My face going hot, I sigh and reach up to massage my aching forehead. “I should never have told her that.” “Don’t worry,” she says, trying to comfort me. “I have been kissed, and it’s overrated.” I stop rubbing my forehead. “Really?” “Really. Two people, smushing their mouths together, tasting each other’s spit, possibly with food bits mixed into it. It’s not at all appealing, when you really think about it.” I let”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“My face blanches. “Kill her?” Shane’s expression turns pained. “She didn’t just give birth to an Icaral, Elloren. They believe she’s given birth to the Icaral.” I’m frozen into stunned silence. We all know of the Prophecy, set down by the late Atellian Lumyn, one of the greatest Seers our church has ever known. A Great Winged One will soon arise and cast his fearsome shadow upon the land. And just as Night slays Day, and Day slays Night, so also shall another Black Witch rise to meet him, her powers vast beyond imagining. And as their powers clash upon the field of battle, the heavens shall open, the mountains tremble and the waters run crimson...and their fates shall determine the future of all Erthia.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“My grandmother, more than any other woman, was the standard bearer of Gardnerian beauty. Known as “The Black Witch” by our enemies, she was one of the most powerful Gardnerian Mages ever. Intellectually brilliant, artistically gifted, stunningly beautiful and a ruthlessly effective commander of our military forces—she was all of these things. And I don’t just resemble her. I’m her absolute spitting image.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“Don’t worry, Fallon,” I say, careful not to look at her, struggling to keep my voice even. “Maybe your tailor can make you another dress. In Gorthan wool. I hear it’s very much the style.” I glance up at Fallon just in time to catch her look of pure, undisguised hostility. Her fist tight on her wand, Fallon stalks out and slams the door behind her. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Sparrow’s mouth twitching into a fleeting grin.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“She holds herself so elegantly straight, I adjust my posture without thinking and hasten my pace to keep up with her. I wonder how she manages to walk so confidently and gracefully in her slim, tall heels, her skirts swishing around her feet. I’d probably fall clear over on shoes like that. My own feet are covered in sturdy boots made for gardening and caring for livestock. I secretly hope I can try feminine shoes like hers.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“But my eyes are quickly drawn away from the wand to her hand. It’s covered with deep, bloody lash marks that continue up her wrist and disappear beneath the sleeve of her cloak. I gasp in horror. “Holy Ancient One, what happened?” Her eyes are briefly filled with despair before they harden again, a bitter smile forming on her mouth. “I did not honor my wandfasting,” she whispers acidly.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“Promise me that you won’t leave school to apprentice with the Mage Council, no matter how much your aunt pressures you.” I don’t understand why he’s being so grave about this. I want to be an apothecary like my mother was, not apprenticed with our ruling council. I nod my head in agreement. “And if something happens to me, you’ll wait to wandfast to someone. You’ll finish your education first.” “But nothing’s going to happen to you.” “No, no, it’s not,” he says, reassuringly. “But promise me anyway.” A familiar worry mushrooms inside me. We all know that my uncle has been struggling with ill health for some time, prone to fatigue and problems with his joints and lungs. My brothers and I are loath to speak of this. He’s been a parent to us for so long—the only parent we can really remember. The thought of losing him is too awful to think of. “Okay,” I say. “I promise. I’ll wait.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“You will not be able to shelter her forever,” my aunt insists. “What will happen when you are gone someday, and all the suitable men have already been wandfasted?” “What will happen is that she will have the means to make her own way in the world.” My aunt laughs at this. Even her laugh is graceful. It makes me think of a pretty waterfall. I wish I could laugh like that. “And how, exactly, would she ‘make her own way in the world’?” “I’ve decided to send her to University.” I involuntarily suck in as much air as I can and hold it there, not able to breathe, too shocked to move. The pause in their conversation tells me that my aunt is probably having the same reaction. Verpax University. With my brothers. In another country altogether. A dream I never imagined could actually come true. “Send her there for what?” my aunt asks, horrified. “To learn the apothecary trade.” A giddy, stunned joy wells up inside me. I’ve been begging Uncle Edwin for years to send me.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch

“Real education doesn’t make your life easy. It complicates things and makes everything messy and disturbing.”
― Laurie Forest, The Black Witch