--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes, it felt as though the darkness…" description: "\"“Sometimes, it felt as though the darkness stared back at her—and the face it wore was her own. Beneath the dark, she could have sworn she heard the ru..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bb/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_sometimes-it-felt-as-though-the-darkness_2750335.jpg" --- # Sometimes, it felt as though the darkness stared back at… ![“Sometimes, it felt as though the darkness stared back at her—and the face it wore was her own. Beneath the dark, she could have sworn she heard the rushing of a half-frozen river, swollen with melting snow off the Staghorns. A flash of white, the thud of hooves on soft earth, and Celaena looked up…” quote by Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bb/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_sometimes-it-felt-as-though-the-darkness_2750335.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bb/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_sometimes-it-felt-as-though-the-darkness_2750335.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bb/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_sometimes-it-felt-as-though-the-darkness_2750335.jpg) > ““Sometimes, it felt as though the darkness stared back at her—and the face it wore was her own. Beneath the dark, she could have sworn she heard the rushing of a half-frozen river, swollen with melting snow off the Staghorns. A flash of white, the thud of hooves on soft earth, and Celaena looked up from the ravine. The stag had come closer, his head now angled, as if inviting her to join him. But the ravine only seemed to grow wider, like the maw of a giant beast opening to devour the world. So Celaena did not cross, and the stag turned away, his steps near silent as he disappeared between the tangled trees of the ageless wood.”” [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The stag’s invitation symbolizes a tempting but dangerous unknown; choosing safety over curiosity. **In simple terms:** Dangerous allure can lead to peril. Key Takeaway Assess risks before stepping forward. Themes fear choice adventure Mood mysterious dramatic Type narrative inspirational When to use this quote - decision making - exploration - personal growth Key Concepts mythology psychology Questions to Reflect On - When is caution wise? - How to discern safe from harmful curiosity? A Different Perspective Avoiding risk may limit growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Celaena Looked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celaena-looked-1108374/) [Darkness Stared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness-stared-3094065/) [Earth Celaena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth-celaena-2102229/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Melting snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melting-snow/) [Stag Turned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stag-turned-3094066/) [World Celaena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-celaena-3094064/) ## Related quotes > [“And that one,” Ansel said, pointing to the next stall, “is named Kasida—it means ‘drinker of the wind’ in the desert dialect.” Kasida’s name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/and-that-one-ansel-said-pointing-to-the-next-stall-is-named-kasida-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Ansel’s attention remained on the stars. “I lied to the Master when I came here,” she whispered, as if afraid someone else would hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/ansel-s-attention-remained-on-the-stars-i-lied-to-the-master-when-i/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Though after all he’s done, I think he deserved Chaol running him through like that.” Celaena looked toward the bedroom door. She still hadn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/though-after-all-he-s-done-i-think-he-deserved-chaol-running-him/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Celaena didn’t know when she began crying. Somehow she skipped a breath, and it set her lips wobbling. She shouldn’t cry, not here, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/celaena-didn-t-know-when-she-began-crying-somehow-she-skipped-a/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Celaena looked at the floor as the king stopped before her. “Now understand this, assassin,” the king said. She felt small and frail, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/celaena-looked-at-the-floor-as-the-king-stopped-before-her-now/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Alone, Celaena looked to the window and put a hand on her heart, whispering the word to herself again and again. Free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/alone-celaena-looked-to-the-window-and-put-a-hand-on-her-heart/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“The rest of the world quieted into nothing. In that moment, after ten long years, Celaena looked at Chaol and realised she was home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-rest-of-the-world-quieted-into-nothing-in-that-moment-after-ten/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Celaena." She looked back at him, her red gown sweeping around her. His eyes shone as he flashed her a crooked grin. "I missed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/celaena-she-looked-back-at-him-her-red-gown-sweeping-around-her-his/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Dorian could only stare at her. This was different from the feral creature she'd become the night Nehemia had died. What she was right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/dorian-could-only-stare-at-her-this-was-different-from-the-feral/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [Streams of melting snow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/streams-of-melting-snow/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [“The lack of traces is the trace of his Perfect One. In the immensity of the strength of his spirit, compared to the limited…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-evola/the-lack-of-traces-is-the-trace-of-his-perfect-one-in-the-immensity/) [Julius Evola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-evola/) > [“MOLLY’S OWN CHILDHOOD MEMORIES ARE SCANT AND PARTIAL. SHE remembers that the TV in the living room seemed to be on all the time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-baker-kline/molly-s-own-childhood-memories-are-scant-and-partial-she-remembers/) [Christina Baker Kline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-baker-kline/) > [Down that path lies madness. On the other hand, the road to hell is paved with melting snowballs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wall/down-that-path-lies-madness-on-the-other-hand-the-road-to-hell-is/) [Larry Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wall/) > [“Over time, our marriage has faded, like a vibrant painting left in strong sunlight for too many years. Time has slipped through our fingers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-l-slater/over-time-our-marriage-has-faded-like-a-vibrant-painting-left-in/) [K.L. Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-l-slater/) > [“The sky was white but deteriorating fast. As always, it was becoming an enormous drop sheet. Blood was bleeding through, and in patches, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/the-sky-was-white-but-deteriorating-fast-as-always-it-was-becoming-an/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) ## More by Sarah J. Maas > [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lysandra chuckled, a surprisingly deep, wicked sound—probably a laugh she never let Arobynn or her clients hear. “Some night soon, I’ll sneak back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lysandra-chuckled-a-surprisingly-deep-wicked-sound-probably-a-laugh/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. And I know there are limits to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-love-you-i-am-in-love-with-you-rowan-i-have-been-for-a-while-and-i/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“To being the most fearsome and imposing girls the world has ever seen.” Celaena raised her goblet high before she drank. As she swallowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/to-being-the-most-fearsome-and-imposing-girls-the-world-has-ever-seen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“have no interest in prisoners or battling today,” Manon said. The Queen of Terrasen gave her a grin. “Good.” Manon turned away, barking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/have-no-interest-in-prisoners-or-battling-today-manon-said-the-queen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Well, I'm late for something incredibly important," Lucien said, and before I could call him on his outright lie or beg him to stay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/well-i-m-late-for-something-incredibly-important-lucien-said-and/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“She bellowed the last word with such soul-deep hatred that he felt it like a punch to the gut.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-bellowed-the-last-word-with-such-soul-deep-hatred-that-he-felt-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/there-are-different-kinds-of-darkness-rhys-said-i-kept-my-eyes-shut/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“So you’re going to ask Ress and Brullo to just leave a back door open so you can sneak in?” “Don’t be so simpleminded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/so-you-re-going-to-ask-ress-and-brullo-to-just-leave-a-back-door-open/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Gently, he pulled my hands away from my face. Gently, he took my cheeks in his hands and brushed away my tears. I didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/gently-he-pulled-my-hands-away-from-my-face-gently-he-took-my-cheeks/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I barely saw my silk slipper as it flew through the air, fast as a shooting star, so fast that even a High Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-barely-saw-my-silk-slipper-as-it-flew-through-the-air-fast-as-a/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) [Explore all 1,807 Sarah J. Maas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More Gaze quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/) [J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/) > [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/) [Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/) > [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? Struggling for the right words, I opened my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-wild/still-feel-the-same-way-could-he-have-changed-this-much-on-the-inside/) [Meredith Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-wild/) > [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/) [Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/) > [“Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-a-valentine/don-t-you-remember-how-hot-we-were-together-lane-god-he-takes-a-quick/) [Michelle A. Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-a-valentine/) > [“She knew how to play him so very well. He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly. Her smile was bright enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/she-knew-how-to-play-him-so-very-well-he-slipped-his-hand-around-hers/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“Damn.” Phineas turned the Big Boy off, then noticed he’d left the box on the bed. Damn, had Zoltan seen it? He stuffed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/damn-phineas-turned-the-big-boy-off-then-noticed-he-d-left-the-box-on/) [Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/) > [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-fingertips-slid-down-from-my-face-lightly-stroking-the-line-of-my/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) > [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. "I was so wrong.I can't find words to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/you-know-when-i-said-i-didn-t-need-you-i-asked-he-lifted-one-brow-i/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [“I didn’t say it just to get you to jump. I’m in love with you, Zane,” he admitted in a calm, clear voice. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-urban/i-didn-t-say-it-just-to-get-you-to-jump-i-m-in-love-with-you-zane-he/) [Madeleine Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-urban/) > [“This explains so much," she said, clucking her tongue in mother-hen fashion. "You're compensating for this withered appendage." Withered appendage? What the devil was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/this-explains-so-much-she-said-clucking-her-tongue-in-mother-hen/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) [Browse all 15,087 Gaze quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Sometimes, it felt as though the darkness stared back at her—and the face it wore was her own. Beneath the dark, she could have sworn she heard the rushing of a half-frozen river, swollen with melting snow off the Staghorns. A flash of white, the thud of hooves on soft earth, and Celaena looked up from the ravine. The stag had come closer, his head now angled, as if inviting her to join him. But the ravine only seemed to grow wider, like the maw of a giant beast opening to devour the world. So Celaena did not cross, and the stag turned away, his steps near silent as he disappeared between the tangled trees of the ageless wood.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sarah J. 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