“In this world where pixies rained from the sky like stars burdened with too many wishes, Leanna lifted her gaze.”

“Wish on everything. Pink cars are good, especially old ones. And stars of course, first stars and shooting stars. Planes will do if they are the first light in the sky and look like stars. Wish in tunnels, holding your breath and lifting your feet off the ground. Birthday candles. Baby teeth.”

“We're reaching the point where the Earth will have to end the burden we've placed on her, if we don't lift the burden ourselves.”

“On and on the rain will fall, Like tears from a star, like tears from a star On and on the rain will say, How fragile we are how fragile we are”

“Affraig’s eyes moved to the oak tree that towered above her, its branches like antlers against the white sky. Her gaze travelled up to the weathered web that hung from one of the higher boughs, the slender noose swinging inside. In her mind she saw herself weaving it while she chanted words against Malachy’s wrathful curse. She remembered the lord’s hand settling on her shoulder, the hiss of the fire,his breath on her neck and, outside, stars falling like fiery rain. Her gaze moved west towards Turnberry.Her memory clouded with thoughts of the earl, but as she thought of his son her mind cleared. The stars had been falling too on the night he was born. She remembered seeing Mars, full and red, a bloody eye winking in the black.”

“...There are too many idiots in this world. And having said it, I have the burden of proving it.”