Tattered Stars Quotes

“They don’t get to stop you from finding your peace.”
“What peace?” I waved my hand around the waiting room, now teeming with officers. “There is none.”
He gripped my face more firmly, making me meet his gaze. “You have to fight for it.
I let my head tip forward to rest on his. “I’m too tired to fight.”
“Then you rest for a little while and pick up the sword again when you’re ready. There are other people who can hold it for you in the meantime.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“You run, I’ll chase you.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“For the first time, I had a place to truly rest – in him. It was the greatest gift I’d ever been given.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“You came in like a flash flood with no warning, and now I can’t imagine my life without you.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Thanks for coming back for me.”
“I’ll come back for you anytime you ask, Ev. Or even if you don’t.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“That’s one of the greatest gifts a person can give another. The freedom to be who they truly are.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Anyone can be brave for twenty breaths. And in that time, you can do almost anything. Or at least take the first steps you need to get there.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Be Brave. For sixty seconds. Twenty breaths. I could do anything for twenty ins and outs.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“I think letting things affect you deeply means you’re stronger than the rest of the world.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“I had no idea how long I cried. But Hayes was still there as the sobs eased. Holding me. He pressed his lips to my temple. “I’m here.” “You always are.” “And I always will be.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“I love you.” It was the only thing I cared about getting out. I’d been so dumb to hold the words back. Terrified and thinking I could protect myself from devastation if I simply didn’t voice what was inside of me. But not saying it didn’t change the truth. I loved this man with everything I had. He was my resting place. Somewhere I could lay my burdens and be who I truly was, no shields or false fronts—only me.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Evie.” The voice, so achingly familiar and painfully gentle. “I’m so glad you’re awake.” “B-Ben?” His cheeks heated. “Sorry about the chains. It’s just until you’re used to it here.” Until I was used to it… Bile crept up my throat. My childhood protector. My oldest friend and confidant. But everything had changed without me even realizing it. Only one question found its way to my lips. “Why?” His expression gentled even further. “It’s always been you, Evie. We’re meant to be.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Girl, that man is fine. And the way he looks at you?” She started fanning herself. “Break me off a piece of that.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“He pressed his lips to my hair. “It wouldn’t change a thing about how I feel about you. You aren’t them. Just like you aren’t your father or uncle or mother. You’re Ev. And you make everyone’s lives better. It’s impossible not to fall in love with you.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Hayes brushed the hair away from my face. “I care about you, Ev. You came in like a flash flood with no warning, and now I can’t imagine my life without you.” I swallowed, my throat sticking with the movement. Because I cared about him, too. More than cared. “It scares me.” “That I care about you?” I nodded. “And what I feel for you.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“I don’t like where your head’s at right now.” I focused back on Hayes. “It’s not anywhere.” “Bullshit.” His thumbs sweeping back and forth across my cheeks took away some of the sting of the word. “You’re thinking about running. Don’t.” I clamped my mouth closed. How was it that in a matter of months, Hayes could read my mind and decipher my tells better than anyone ever had before? “You run, I’ll chase you.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Everly blew out a breath, sending wisps of hair flying around her face. “You sure don’t lack any confidence, do you?” “Not when it comes to this. Because I’ve lived some years, and I know one thing for sure: I’ve never felt how I did when I kissed you, Ev. I’ve never been so drawn in by someone.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“He grinned. “I think I’m going to try making a habit of kissing you wherever I can and as often as possible.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Hayes leaned in and grabbed the seat of my chair with both hands, pulling me close. “Don’t you dare take that on. It’s not yours. You did everything you could to right that wrong, even though it wasn’t on you.” “Sounds like someone else I know.” The corner of his mouth kicked up. “I guess we’re more alike than I ever knew.” “Careful, Hayes, I might start to think you like me a little bit.” “Heaven forbid.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Her hair often looked a little wild, but the strands felt like silk. “You’re okay.” “I’m not. I snotted all over someone who doesn’t even like me.” “We’ve been over this. I like you,” I grunted. I liked her too much. “I’m surprised you didn’t start yelling at me because my tears surprised you.” I barked out a laugh. “That’s always a risk.” Everly tipped back her head, and I saw that her eyes were swollen, and her face was red. But she was still so damn beautiful. The raw truth in her was undeniable. A fierceness only matched by her tightly guarded vulnerability.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“makeshift”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Then you rest for a little while and pick up the sword again when you’re ready. There are other people who can hold it for you in the meantime.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“across”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“diamond”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“If you leave now, you’ll be cast out. Dead to me and everyone else in this family.” Addie raised her chin. “It would be a sweet relief to be dead to you.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Don’t like people thanking you?” A flush of pink brushed her cheeks. “I don’t need it. I love what I do.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“I’ll run if that’s what keeps you safe.” His expression turned stony. “You run, and I’ll just follow.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Ev?” “Yes?” “I need to kiss you.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Sounds like someone else I know.” The corner of his mouth kicked up. “I guess we’re more alike than I ever knew.” “Careful, Hayes, I might start to think you like me a little bit.” “Heaven forbid.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars

“Hayes came to a stop in front of me. “Hey, Ev.” Ev. It wasn’t a nickname anyone had ever called me before, yet it fell from his lips as if he’d been using it all his life.”
― Catherine Cowles, Tattered Stars