The River Has Roots

by Amal El-Mohtar

Grammar and grammarians are constables, sternly watching while you split infinitives, narrowing their eyes at spliced commas while smacking semi-coloned truncheons against their palms.

You’ll want to know, of course, what Rin said to Ysabel. It’s only natural, and I am sympathetic. But if I told you, you’d be in possession of a terrible secret, wouldn’t you? One that kings and grammarians alike would kill to possess. And who are you, ultimately, to be trusted with a way into Arcadia?

Breaking the 4th wall so masterfully

And their joy runs together like rivers, like voices, like families.

“Steal from a woman long enough, and a witch is what she’ll become.”