Sienna Willis

“That's the choice. I love him, with all that, because of all that. On purpose. I love him on purpose.”
― Casey McQuiston, Red, White & Royal Blue

“Farewell daughter. May the Saint, in his kindness, keep you safe.”
Glorian tried to find the words she wanted to express. I will make you proud. I am afraid. I love you, even if I do not think you love me half as much. I will never treat my daughter the way you have treated me.
“Goodbye, Mother,” was all she did say. “I bid you a safe voyage. Please send my good wishes to Lord Magnaust and Princess Idrega.”
“I will.”
Queen Sabran turned away. Glorian found a deep well of courage and said, “I will be a good queen.”
Her mother stopped.
“You think me weak,” Glorian said, willing her voice not to quake. “You always have— but I know whose bone and blood I am. I am the chosen of the Saint, the fruit of his unending vine, the iron of the ever-snow. I am the daughter of Sabran the Ambitious and the Hammer of the North, and I will rule this realm without fear. My reign will be remembered for centuries to come.” She let the words soak through the silence, then said, “I am enough.”
For a very long time, Queen Sabran said nothing. Her experience was impossible to read.
“Belief is only the first step,” she said, very softly. “Start forging your armour, Glorian. You will need it.”
― Samantha Shannon, A Day of Fallen Night

“You must make your own map of the world. Search out your own piece of sky and patch of earth, your own awning to sleep under when it is raining and it feels the sun may never shine again, for there will certainly be such days. No one can walk this path for you. You cannot simply follow in another's footsteps, as though life were a complicated dance, every turn and twist memorized and prepared for ahead of time. There are many things in the world you can inherit: money, land, power, a crown. But an adventure is not one of them; you must make your own journey.”
― Katherine J. Chen, Joan

“I wish we could always be together, Papa,” she whispered. “All of us.” He leaned closer to hear. “That you never had to leave again.”
“I wish the same.” His callused hands clasped one of hers. “I make you this promise. One day, when you give your throne to your own daughter, when your mother and I have white hair and wrinkles, we shall all live in Hróth together. Every winter, we will watch the sky lights, and every summer, we will dance and laugh under the midnight sun.”
“Truly?”
“My solemn oath.”
Glorian nodded, tears prickling. “I’d like that,” she said. “I’d like that more than anything.”
“Then let it be our dream.” His smile creased his eyes. “For now, I will see you in the summer, dróterning.”
Mustering her strength, Glorian shifted onto her elbows. Her father drew her into his embrace, the fur of his collar tickling her cheek.
“I love you, Papa.”
“And I you.” He planted a kiss on the top of her head. “Look after my heart. Rest, Glorian. Be strong.”
― Samantha Shannon, A Day of Fallen Night