Solene

“We are all of us more complicated than the roles we are assigned in the stories other people tell”
― Tara Westover, Educated

“Many a mother would happily toss their daughters at your feet.” “Wouldn’t work, I’m afraid. I prefer my women off their knees, upright, and standing on their own.” “At your back?” “At my side.”
― L.J. Andrews, Curse of Shadows and Thorns

“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

“My wings," the faerie whispered.

"You'll get them back."

The Faerie struggled to open his eyes. "You swear?"

"Yes," I breathed. The faerie managed a slight smile and closed his eyes again. My mouth trembled. I wished for something else to say, something more to offer him than my empty promises. The first false vow I'd ever sworn. But Tamlin began speaking, and I glanced up to see him take the faerie's other hand.

"Cauldron save you," he said, reciting the words of a prayer that was probably older than the mortal realm. "Mother hold you. Pass through the gates, and smell that immortal land of milk and honey. Fear no evil. Feel no pain." Tamlin's voice wavered, but he finished. "Go, and enter eternity.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses