C.J. Redwine

“Tears aren't for the people we've lost. They're for us. So we can remember, and celebrate, and miss them, and feel human.”

“Thank you for telling me fairy tales, but also for teaching me how to face the battle I'd need to win in real life.”

“And for me, it means honoring those who've loved me and sacrificed for me by choosing to be the kind of warrior who delivers justice even when it threatens to hurt me.”

“There are much more important qualities to have than a docile disposition.”

“Tears don't bring people back." Pain stabs from my chest to my fingertips."Tears aren't for the people we've lost. They are for us. So that we can remember and celebrate and miss them and feel human.”

“Let Ian laugh. Let him believe pain will ruin me. I know better. I've already been ruined once, and I know how to rise from the ashes. I know how to find my broken pieces.”

“We walked through the streets with our protectors. We wore our dresses. We gave up our education because that was the price of safety. That was the bargain we made with the devil we knew to escape the devil we didn't.”

“Sometimes having courage means the hardest tasks fall onto your shoulders, and those leave the biggest scars.”

“I love you best, and I'll miss you forever.”

“That's not what he meant," Rachel says again, pink flushing her cheeks."Actually, I meant-" I start to say, but Willow cuts me off."What? It's true. He looks at you like he'd like to dip you in sugar and eat you up.”

“Pain is such a useful thing. It corrects us when we're wrong. It shapes our character. It teaches us that we're alive.”

“I love how you still think if you tell me to do something, I'll just check my brain at the door and do it.”

“Sylph and Jodi return to my side, each carrying a cloth sack full of chickweed. I wrap my arm around Sylph's waist and give her a quick squeeze. "Lesson's over for today. I have something to discuss with Logan.""Sounds serious." Jodi wiggles her brows at me."I think that's just Rachel for 'I need to go kiss my boy.'" Sylph laughs when I glare at her.”

“You're worth so much more than anything I can give you. If you can't believe that right now, believe in me.”

“I ache to hear her tell me she loves me, but forcing her to put words to how she feels pushes her further into the silence she seems comfortable calling home now. I tell myself to be patient and understanding, but inside there's a longing only those words will fill, and it hurts to ignore it.”

“Sometimes the thing you think will fix everything ruins it instead. And sometimes what hurts you has to tear you apart before it makes you stronger.”

“I reach up and pat them both on the head. "Poor things. If you had a boy that looked like Logan, you'd be kissing him every chance you had, too.”

“It’s probably my job to tell you life isn’t fair, but I figure you already know that. So instead, I’ll tell you that hope is precious, and you’re right not to give up.”

“Healing is the hardest thing you'll ever do.' ~Quinn”