---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The boy held her tighter, murmured soft…"
description: "\"“The boy held her tighter, murmured soft words to lull her to sleep. \"It's only a nightmare,\" he whispered. \"The dreams will stop.\" He didn't understan..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34f/leigh-bardugo-252_alina_the-boy-held-her-tighter-murmured-soft-w_2155469.png"
---

#  The boy held her tighter, murmured soft words to lull her…

![“The boy held her tighter, murmured soft words to lull her to sleep. "It's only a nightmare," he whispered. "The dreams will stop." He didn't understand. The dreams were the only place it was safe to use her power now, and she longed for them.” quote by Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34f/leigh-bardugo-252_alina_the-boy-held-her-tighter-murmured-soft-w_2155469.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34f/leigh-bardugo-252_alina_the-boy-held-her-tighter-murmured-soft-w_2155469.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34f/leigh-bardugo-252_alina_the-boy-held-her-tighter-murmured-soft-w_2155469.png)

> ““The boy held her tighter, murmured soft words to lull her to sleep. "It's only a nightmare," he whispered. "The dreams will stop." He didn't understand. The dreams were the only place it was safe to use her power now, and she longed for them.””

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The protagonist finds safety in dreams where she can use her power, highlighting escapism and the danger of hiding pain.

**In simple terms:** Dreams are a safe escape for power.

Key Takeaway

Seek healthy ways to face pain.

Themes

escape power vulnerability

Mood

melancholic introspective

Type

literary fantasy

When to use this quote

- therapy
- creative writing
- mindfulness
- support groups

Key Concepts

dreamscape psychological safety self‑acceptance

Questions to Reflect On

- What does the dream world represent for you?
- How can you integrate your power into waking life?

A Different Perspective

Relying on fantasy can hinder real growth.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Alina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alina/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Dreams Stop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams-stop-424000/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Mal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mal/) [Nightmare Whispered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nightmare-whispered-3422622/) [Understand Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understand-dreams-1413223/) [Whispered Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whispered-dreams-393808/)

## Related quotes

> [“I rolled my eyes. "For defending my honor, you dullard." He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-rolled-my-eyes-for-defending-my-honor-you-dullard-he-yanked-me/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“At Keramzin, I had a doll I made out of an old sock that I used to talk to whenever he was away hunting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/at-keramzin-i-had-a-doll-i-made-out-of-an-old-sock-that-i-used-to/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“C’mon,” he said. “One foot in front of the other. You know how it’s done” “You’re interfering with my plan.” “Oh really?” “Yes. Faint,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/c-mon-he-said-one-foot-in-front-of-the-other-you-know-how-it-s-done/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“As we pushed off from the fountain, one of the washerwomen leaned forward, practically spilling out of her dress. "If you ever get tired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/as-we-pushed-off-from-the-fountain-one-of-the-washerwomen-leaned/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Do I get to wear a fancy hat?" "The fanciest," I said. "And possibly a cape." "Will there be plumes?" "Oh, yes. Several." "Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/do-i-get-to-wear-a-fancy-hat-the-fanciest-i-said-and-possibly-a-cape/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“They have an ordinary life, full of ordinary things - if love can ever be called that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/they-have-an-ordinary-life-full-of-ordinary-things-if-love-can-ever/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“What do you want, Mal?" The room seemed very quiet. "Don't ask me that." "Why not?" "Because it can't be." "I want to hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/what-do-you-want-mal-the-room-seemed-very-quiet-don-t-ask-me-that-why/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I would have been different too, without you. Weaker, reckless.” He smiled slightly. “Afraid of the dark.” He brushed the tears from my cheeks.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-would-have-been-different-too-without-you-weaker-reckless-he-smiled/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“A moment later the boy whispered, "I don't think you're ugly." "Shhhh!" the girl hissed. But hidden by the deep shadows of the cupboard,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/a-moment-later-the-boy-whispered-i-don-t-think-you-re-ugly-shhhh-the/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“So you told him I had a goiter?" I whispered incredulously. "I had to say something. And it makes you quite a tragic figure.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/so-you-told-him-i-had-a-goiter-i-whispered-incredulously-i-had-to-say/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Mal shouted. I heard scuffling behind me and knew Tolya had taken hold of him. “Alina!” His voice was raw white wood, torn from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/mal-shouted-i-heard-scuffling-behind-me-and-knew-tolya-had-taken-hold/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“You let Mal come back for me. After you gave me your vow." "He broke away," said Tamar. I lifted a brow. The day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-let-mal-come-back-for-me-after-you-gave-me-your-vow-he-broke-away/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I wasn't afraid of you, Alina. I was afraid of losing you. That girl you were becoming didn't need me anymore, but she's who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-wasn-t-afraid-of-you-alina-i-was-afraid-of-losing-you-that-girl-you/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Get moving. We need to find that stag so I don’t have to chop your head off.” “I never said you had to chop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/get-moving-we-need-to-find-that-stag-so-i-don-t-have-to-chop-your/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“But I missed the girl who had shown the stag mercy, who had been strong enough to turn away from the lure of power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/but-i-missed-the-girl-who-had-shown-the-stag-mercy-who-had-been/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

## More by Leigh Bardugo

> [“Aleksander." His eyes fluttered shut. "Don't let me be alone," he murmured. And then he was gone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/aleksander-his-eyes-fluttered-shut-don-t-let-me-be-alone-he-murmured/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I don't care if you danced naked on the roof of the Little Palace with him. I love you, Alina, even the part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-don-t-care-if-you-danced-naked-on-the-roof-of-the-little-palace/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Inej frowned. “I thought you and Nina chose four outbreak sites on the Staves.” Kaz straightened his cuffs. “I also had her stop at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-frowned-i-thought-you-and-nina-chose-four-outbreak-sites-on-the/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I rolled my eyes. "For defending my honor, you dullard." He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-rolled-my-eyes-for-defending-my-honor-you-dullard-he-yanked-me/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“They're all crazy, Oncat. Invisible armies, monster princes. Let's go set fire to something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/they-re-all-crazy-oncat-invisible-armies-monster-princes-let-s-go-set/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Saints!" I swore. "I forgot how often I want to stab you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/saints-i-swore-i-forgot-how-often-i-want-to-stab-you/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Inej knew the moment Kaz entered the Slat. His presence reverberated through the cramped rooms and crooked hallways as every thug, thief, dealer, con…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-knew-the-moment-kaz-entered-the-slat-his-presence-reverberated/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-risked-my-life-for-you-i-ve-walked-half-the-length-of-ravka-for/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Sure we do," said Theo, swatting at a branch. "We get to the spring, Alia gets cured. We argue over the best choice for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sure-we-do-said-theo-swatting-at-a-branch-we-get-to-the-spring-alia/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“But I pushed down my confused tears and did as she asked, still hoping that whatever I’d broken might be repaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/but-i-pushed-down-my-confused-tears-and-did-as-she-asked-still-hoping/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“There, she wrote fantastical tales that charmed children, and under another name, she penned rather more lurid works that kept her in nougat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/there-she-wrote-fantastical-tales-that-charmed-children-and-under/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Short on friends, your highness?" "And long on enemies," replied Nikolai.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/short-on-friends-your-highness-and-long-on-enemies-replied-nikolai/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/jesper-knocked-his-head-against-the-hull-and-cast-his-eyes-heavenward/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

[Explore all 782 Leigh Bardugo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

## More Alina quotes

> [“I rolled my eyes. "For defending my honor, you dullard." He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-rolled-my-eyes-for-defending-my-honor-you-dullard-he-yanked-me/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I am ruination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-am-ruination/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Get moving. We need to find that stag so I don’t have to chop your head off.” “I never said you had to chop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/get-moving-we-need-to-find-that-stag-so-i-don-t-have-to-chop-your/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I wasn't afraid of you, Alina. I was afraid of losing you. That girl you were becoming didn't need me anymore, but she's who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-wasn-t-afraid-of-you-alina-i-was-afraid-of-losing-you-that-girl-you/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“All right. And...can someone see about having the roof fixed?" Matching grins broke out on Tolya's and Tamar's faces. "Can't we leave it that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/all-right-and-can-someone-see-about-having-the-roof-fixed-matching/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“You let Mal come back for me. After you gave me your vow." "He broke away," said Tamar. I lifted a brow. The day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-let-mal-come-back-for-me-after-you-gave-me-your-vow-he-broke-away/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Toss him over," Zoya said. "Break his heart cruelly. I will gladly give our poor prince comfort, and I would make a magnificent queen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/toss-him-over-zoya-said-break-his-heart-cruelly-i-will-gladly-give/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I may not have been completely honest about that." "You? Less than truthful? I'm shocked, Nikolai. Shocked and horrified.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-may-not-have-been-completely-honest-about-that-you-less-than/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“David looked at me, then, the regret plain on his face. No matter what I said, we both knew the hard truth. We do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/david-looked-at-me-then-the-regret-plain-on-his-face-no-matter-what-i/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“You come back to train with Botkin. I hit big girl same as little girl." "That's very egalitarian of you." I said, and hurried…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-come-back-to-train-with-botkin-i-hit-big-girl-same-as-little-girl/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Mal shouted. I heard scuffling behind me and knew Tolya had taken hold of him. “Alina!” His voice was raw white wood, torn from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/mal-shouted-i-heard-scuffling-behind-me-and-knew-tolya-had-taken-hold/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“And the Darkling?" "I tried to kill him." "As one does.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/and-the-darkling-i-tried-to-kill-him-as-one-does/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“So you told him I had a goiter?" I whispered incredulously. "I had to say something. And it makes you quite a tragic figure.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/so-you-told-him-i-had-a-goiter-i-whispered-incredulously-i-had-to-say/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I roll my eyes. "Well, if I plan on doing anything exciting I promise to give fair warning so just...take a nap or something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-roll-my-eyes-well-if-i-plan-on-doing-anything-exciting-i-promise-to/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

[Browse all 41 Alina quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alina/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The boy held her tighter, murmured soft words to lull her to sleep. \"It's only a nightmare,\" he whispered. \"The dreams will stop.\" He didn't understand. The dreams were the only place it was safe to use her power now, and she longed for them.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Leigh Bardugo"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-boy-held-her-tighter-murmured-soft-words-to-lull-her-to-sleep-it/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Alina"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-boy-held-her-tighter-murmured-soft-words-to-lull-her-to-sleep-it/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34f/leigh-bardugo-252_alina_the-boy-held-her-tighter-murmured-soft-w_2155469.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34f/leigh-bardugo-252_alina_the-boy-held-her-tighter-murmured-soft-w_2155469.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34f/leigh-bardugo-252_alina_the-boy-held-her-tighter-murmured-soft-w_2155469.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The boy held her tighter, murmured soft words to lull her to sleep. \"It's only a nightmare,\" he whispered…” — Leigh Bardugo",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Leigh Bardugo",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The boy held her tighter, murmured...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-boy-held-her-tighter-murmured-soft-words-to-lull-her-to-sleep-it/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-boy-held-her-tighter-murmured-soft-words-to-lull-her-to-sleep-it/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```