Mariah Rae

“Why the fuck is everyone in this kingdom trying to murder my wife?”
― Shelby Mahurin, Serpent & Dove

“I would feel his absence even after death, would ache for him to be near me in a way he could never be again. I would bear the pain gladly to keep even a small part of him with me. The pain meant we'd been real.”
— Serpent & Dove,”
― Shelby Mahurin, Serpent & Dove

“I know you have a filthy mouth." He pressed down hard on my lip for emphasis. I shivered. "And you're used to getting your way. I know you're vulgar and dishonest and manipulative-"
I recoiled, nose wrinkling, but he only gripped me tighter.
"-but you're also compassionate and free-spirited and brave. He tucked my hair behind my ear. "I've never met anyone like you, Lou.”
― Shelby Mahurin, Serpent & Dove

“I love you, Lou.” His eyes welled with fresh tears. “I—I’ve never seen anyone savor anything the way you do everything. You make me feel alive. Just being in your presence—it’s addictive. You’re addictive. It doesn’t matter you’re a witch. The way you see the world . . . I want to see it that way too. I want to be with you always, Lou. I never want to be parted from you again.”
― Shelby Mahurin, Serpent & Dove