Mistborn

A dare that lands because it names the fear, not the dream.

You could rattle the stars,“ she whispered. ”You could do anything, if only you dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That’s what scares you most.

Throne of Glass · Sarah J. Maas

What it costs to be the cleverest man in a room that pities you.

You are your mother’s trueborn son of Lannister." "Am I?" the dwarf replied, sardonic. "Do tell my lord father. My mother died birthing me, and he’s never been sure." "I don’t even know who my mother was," Jon said. "Some woman, no doubt. Most of them are." He favored Jon with a rueful grin. "Remember this, boy. All dwarfs may be bastards, yet not all bastards need be dwarfs." And with that he turned and sauntered back into the feast, whistling a tune. When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king.

A Game of Thrones · George R.R. Martin

What it costs to look away from something you cannot stop.

This was when Winter looked away. When she always looked away. She watched her own fingers burrow into her dress, her fingernails scraping at the fabric until she could feel the sting on her thighs. She watched the ice climb over her wrists, toward her elbows. Where the ice touched, her flesh went numb.

Winter · Marissa Meyer