Tales from Blackthorn Briar Quotes

“Every piece as he donned it sent a thrill shivering over his skin. And when he finally found the courage to tear away the sheet covering the long looking-glass stand in the corner of his room, what he beheld in its reflection made all his suffering worthwhile. For the first time in all his life, he saw his true self.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“It was the first time he’d heard anyone besides himself call him by his real name, and the sound of it made his heart soar. It flew higher still as she leaned in to kiss him. She left her palm against his cheek as she withdrew to fondly gaze at him from those dark and beautiful eyes. “My darling Daniel,” she said and smiled in a reflection of his own joy.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“The further his body transformed in a wildly different direction, the more sure he felt in what he was and what he ought to be. Yet how could he possibly tell anyone that the heart of a man beat beneath his breast? And expect to be believed?”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“After such an intimacy as this, it seemed silly to go on denying each other the small comfort of touch, and so Daniel felt emboldened when next they sat together, cross-legged with their knees almost meeting, to lay his hand on the floor-boards between them, palm-up, at her mercy. And she, to his infinite delight, deigned to grace his palm with her own.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“A single stroke through the water brought Wren to him. Here the water was shallow enough for him to stand before his Shrike. He slipped his arms around his waist and drew him close, tilting his head up to meet his gaze. “I’ll be safe,” Wren promised. “So long as I’m with you.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“At Shrike’s murmured instruction, Wren slipped forward and tipped his head back to dip his hair into the bath. His locks swirled around his face as Shrike worked his hands through them. He let his eyes fall shut with another sigh, more ragged and drawn out than the first, but no less appreciative. The waterfall flow from the pitcher in Shrike’s skilled hands seemed to wash away all his cares alongside the grime.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“The Holly King bids me tell you that gentle lovemaking should pose no danger.” Wren’s face felt as if it’d burst into flames. Shrike raised his brows and glanced between Everilda and Wren. After a moment’s pause, he said to Everilda, “I’m glad of it.” Wren wished himself dead.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“And Shrike, relieved just to have him alive in his arms, held him tight.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“I’m sorry,” said Wren as their lips parted. Shrike furrowed his brow. “What for?” “It’s my fault you lost your chance at the white hart.” Shrike continued staring at him for another moment or two. Then his hand came up to brush Wren’s hair off his brow and trail down his cheek in a tender caress. “I did almost lose my heart,” Shrike murmured. “But he is found again, and reawakened, and now all is well.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“So Shrike held his breath, bent his head, and, as he’d fiercely wished to all these long hours, bestowed a kiss upon his Wren.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“Has she a chirurgeon experienced in saving mortal lives?” Shrike growled. “Yes,” replied the page. Shrike blinked. “Oh.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“Wren’s gaze returned to his Shrike, his own northern star guiding him back home.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“Without opening his eyes, Wren reached out and traced Shrike’s lips to shush him, mumbling as he did so, “I’m fine. Better than fine. Now shut up and kiss me.” Shrike obeyed his fallen king.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“How old are you, really?” Ephraim asked. Hull shrugged. “Roughly seven centuries.” “Seven centuries?!” Ephraim choked. Hull looked abashed. “Roughly.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“His strong pulse resounded through Ephraim’s own ribs; Ephraim could no longer tell which heartbeat belonged to whom. It hardly seemed to matter.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“Yet Hull only smiled. He leaned in close to press a kiss to Ephraim’s throat, which became a trail of kisses up past his jaw, each one more delicious and precious than the last. “Don’t think on it,” Hull murmured, his warm breath ghosting over Ephraim’s ear and making him shiver. “Just know that whatever may or may not occur, I am content.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“Slowly and gently, and watching Ephraim’s face all the while, Mr Hull brought Ephraim’s gnarled knuckles to his perfect lips. The sheer tenderness of the kiss threatened to overwhelm Ephraim. He felt rather like a fairytale prince. He wondered what he’d done to deserve this, and many other things besides.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“And every morning, as Ephraim arose to shave and dress, he heard the gentle tap-tap-tapping of Mr Hull’s boot-heels on the stair—a sound which became somehow sweeter than birdsong.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“Whenever Mr Hull divested himself of his coat, however, and went about the office in his shirt-sleeves, Ephraim found it rather difficult to concentrate on his own work. The pale thin cotton shirt clung to Mr Hull’s broad shoulders and allowed an indecorous glimpse at the corded muscles of his arms beneath.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“Most fae never acquired marks of age like these, no matter how many centuries they endured. What a rare joy it would prove to hold this gossamer grace in his arms.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“The Holly King had described Mr Ephraim Grigsby, Esq., as an awkward but well-meaning elderly fellow. He’d made no mention of “charming” or “handsome,” which Hullvardr considered unjust omissions.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“Good morrow, sir!” said the gentleman in a hearty tone. Ephraim couldn’t quite place his accent—a very slight one, with a touch of a burr and a hint of a lilt which defied all efforts to pin it down. The deep bass of his voice thrummed through Ephraim’s own ribs in a manner which made his knees feel weak for reasons beyond rheumatism.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“Ephraim Grigsby had many faults, but he flattered himself that impatience was not among them.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar

“Shrike chuckled and slung an arm around Wren’s waist. There it rested as if it’d always belonged, its warmth suffusing Wren’s heart.”
― Sebastian Nothwell, Tales from Blackthorn Briar