“In the real world, you can make your own miracles.”

“This isn't a Christmas special! This is my life. In the real world, miracles and goodness just don't happen.”

“All we can go on is what we think, how we see the world. If you can't trust your own mind what can you trust?”

“It is terrifying,” said Adrian. “And weird, for lack of a better word. And part of you knows… well, part of you knows something’s not right. That your thinking’s not right. But what do you about that? All we can go on is what we think, how we see the world. If you can’t trust your own mind, what can you trust? What other people tell you?”

“There's nothing worse than waiting and not knowing what'll happen to you. Your own imagination can be crueler than any captor.”

“Unbelievable," I said. "First you wanted to hide her away to keep you alive. Now you actually want her out in the world to use her compulsion for your own psycho plans.”

“You had your heart broken much?”He paused. “Of course. Everyone does. Part of life.”“Tell me her name. I’ll kick her ass. I don’t want anyone hurting you.”He rested his face against my hair, his tone even and gentle when he spoke. “You’re wondrous and powerful and gifted, but even you can’t save me from hurting. No one can do that for anyone. I can make things perfect in the fictions I create, but the real world isn’t so kind. That’s just how it is. And anyway, for every bad thing in life, there are more good things to tip the balance.”“Like what?”“Like little blonde nieces. And royalty checks. And you.”