Caraval

My little liar, Julian mouthed, his lips parted slightly as he slowly leaned in closer

But Scarlett had learned too well how treacherous it was to hope in something as illusive as a wish.

Thorns protected roses.

Not quite sure how far she’d already fallen, she imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out.

she imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Scarlett said. “It doesn’t work on me.”

“That’s why it’s so fun.”

Inside the house, violin music, richer than the darkest chocolate, started playing.

Inside the house, violin music, richer than the darkest chocolate, started playing.

To my mom and dad,
for teaching me the meaning
of unconditional love

risks that accompanied the things she wanted most.

In answer to his question, Scarlett lifted her hand, slowly bringing her fingers to his cheek. Her skin tingled where it touched his, sending shivers all the way down her arm as she traced the thin line from the edge of his parted lips to the corner of his eyelid. “I forgive you,” she whispered.