He made a small movement of his head. "Do you love Pennhyll as well as you do the mountain upon which it sits?" "I find it much like you." His mouth quirked, and then, curved in another smile. She stared, transfixed by the sight. "Unpleasant and forlorn?" She tipped her head to one side, considering him. She felt an odd sensation of understanding this harsh man who was, in fact, a stranger to her. "Not entirely unpleasant, that I will admit. Nor forlorn, either." "Do not tell me you find me amiable." "Certainly not. Like Pennhyll, you are strong and fierce." She felt, ridiculous as it was, that she knew him better than she knew herself. "To make a life here is to have courage and heart, and those you surely have.

— Carolyn Jewel

#olivia #sebastian #the-spare #courage