Books Are My Escape.

““I know a book doesn’t seem like much, but I promise you, there are worlds in here.””

“‘That’s not my name’ she said finally. 'Isn’t it?’ Xenobia held Flora’s eyes, unblinking. The room behind her swayed into darkness and was gone. All Flora could see was the witch and the terrible truth she bore. 'There are those who are neither a man nor a woman. Those who were born and called the wrong gender and must reshape their story for those around them. But you. You’re something else. You’re whatever is safe. Both, maybe, but not neither. Or interchangeable. Names are funny things because they can feel like lies but tell our truths.’ It was true that Florian was Flora’s spell of choice. Casting him felt like a ward of protection. It had been Florian that Evelyn had kissed. But where did Florian end and Flora begin? For the first time, she felt she could hold both in her heart. That both might be true.”