Ashleigh

“Do not fear so, here is one who would be a blade at your back. A shield across your breast. Here is kin, here is strength to lean upon, to share as you share in need.”
― Andre Norton.

“A man’s love for a man is neither more nor less than a man’s love for a woman, it is only different.”
― Thomas Burnett Swann, How Are the Mighty Fallen

“And then Roarke came to my door, and that gave me what I needed after all those years. I thank God for that, and him. But I’m telling you, and hope you already know, what you do, beyond the law of it, is needed.” “Sinead.” Roarke stepped up, pressed a handkerchief in her hand. “Ah well.” Sighing now, she dabbed at tears. “The world can be so dark. It’s foolish to deny it, and the Irish know the dark better than some in any case. It reminds us to hold on to the light, every minute we can, and to prize it. You’re a light to me.” She kissed Roarke’s cheeks. “Don’t ever forget it.”
― J.D. Robb, Thankless in Death

“But age became him as it did the oaks and the cedars.”
― Thomas Burnett Swann, Day of the Minotaur