I began to feel lighthearted. Don't ever do that; it tempts some dark and evil force abroad in the universe

I began to feel lighthearted. Don't ever do that; it tempts some dark and evil force abroad in the universe

Tanith Lee was a master of dark fantasy, weaving intricate tales of magic, mystery, and malevolence. Her stories often delved into the depths of human emotion, exploring the darker aspects of the human psyche. In her works, she frequently touched upon themes of temptation, corruption, and the consequences of giving in to one's desires.

One of the recurring motifs in Lee's writing is the idea that giving in to feelings of lightheartedness can have dangerous consequences. In many of her stories, characters who allow themselves to feel joy or happiness find themselves drawn into a web of darkness and despair. This theme is encapsulated in the quote, "I began to feel lighthearted. Don't ever do that; it tempts some dark and evil force abroad in the universe."

This warning serves as a cautionary tale, a reminder that happiness can be fleeting and that there are unseen forces at work in the world that seek to corrupt and destroy. In Lee's stories, characters who give in to feelings of joy often find themselves facing unimaginable horrors, their lives forever changed by their momentary lapse in vigilance.

The idea that darkness lurks just beneath the surface of happiness is a powerful and unsettling one, and it is a theme that Lee explores with skill and nuance. Her stories are filled with moments of beauty and wonder, but they are always tinged with a sense of foreboding, a reminder that the world is a dangerous and unpredictable place.