C.J. Cherryh

"Belief... Was its own magic-so long as it was carefully placed, often examined, like a bridge kept in careful repair."

"He could be distracted, still, by beauty, by the wonder of a stroke of sunlight. Perhaps at such times he made himself open to wizardry-or conversely, was as warded and safe at such moments as Ynefel at its strongest. Perhaps threats simply slid past his attention and he made himself immune."