Maya

“Blood cannot lead a kingdom,” Rory said. His voice gentled. “Sacrifice can. A true ruler is one who puts their people before themselves. No matter the cost.” “That isn’t me. It is not in my nature—” “Of course it isn’t. Altruism is no one’s nature. It wouldn’t be half as remarkable otherwise.”
― Sara Hashem, The Jasad Heir

“By you, I am forever undone.”
― Holly Black, The Queen of Nothing

“I always feared you would become like your true mother,” Rawain said. “I stayed vigilant for what you might have inherited from Hanim. In my worst nightmares, I never thought you would take after Isra. As weak and—” “Weak is not a mother who throws herself between a boy with none of her blood and the wrath of the man who made him.” Arin wiped the blood dripping onto his lashes. “Weak is a ruler who holds a match to the world and then blames it for burning.”
― Sara Hashem, The Jasad Crown

“She had the temperament of a deranged goose. Every interaction he’d shared with her had thoroughly convinced him he was not dealing with a stable woman.”
― Sara Hashem, The Jasad Heir