IV

“In the same way your heart feels and your mind thinks, you, mortal beings, are the instrument by which the universe cares. If you choose to care, then the universe cares. If you don't, then it doesn't.”
― Brennan Lee Mulligan

“Then came Mahrel—the illusionist who dazzled the world and quietly unraveled his. Just one of many who would twist Kowén of Sunridge into something unrecognizable. A relic. A
weapon. A name that gods would one day whisper with caution.

It hadn’t started with fire, blood, or death.
It started with a statue. One block of marble. One chisel. One breathless moment where creation gave way to consequence.”
― Sarah Vespertine, A Grave of Chains

“But just as surely as life connected everything, so did death. It was that endless, fast-running river. She'd dipped her fingers into its current, held the eddy of its power in her hand. She was the Queen of Mourning, and in its depths, she would never drown.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“Suddenly I’m so wet I could probably slide all the way to the damn restaurant.”
― Fiona Zedde, The Magical Femme: A Lesbian Short Story