The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath and the Dawn, #2)

by Renée Ahdieh

“Why?” “Because when we help one another, we are able to accomplish things faster.”

Khalid 🥹🥹🥹

“Thank you,” he whispered. As though he were the one in need. “Shiva,” she said. “My name is Shiva.”

Omg

“Why are you sitting at this table—breaking bread with me—wearing the ring of the boy who murdered my daughter?”

O my god

The mark of the scarab. The mark of the Fida’i assassins who had stolen into her chamber in Rey and tried to kill her.

Omg no

The mad boy-king of Khorasan. The monster. The murderer.

This breaks my heart

“You might as well learn something of value. I suppose even a bastard should know how to fight.”

His father was a bitch

Once he had, then perhaps his father would realize the past did not give him the right to deny his son a future.

Khalid :(((((

“Where is your heart, Shahrzad al-Khayzuran?” His voice was coarse in its insistence. In an alley by the souk. In a night of oblivion.

Shes in love with khalid🥰

“You expect me to believe the mighty King of Kings wouldn’t be angry for what has transpired today?” No. Khalid would break every bone in your body for what you’ve done.

As he should

“I’ve made so many mistakes. I fell in love with the boy responsible for your death!”

Well☠️☠️☠️

“The moment I saw him running toward you that morning, I knew you were going to save him, just as he saved you.”

Uhh 😔😔😔

“But, if you ask me, the best way to go about flying is to cut the strings tying you down

Word

“What Khalid would do is none of your concern.” She was dangerously close to shouting. “And I’m finished discussing this incident and my butcher of a husband with you!”

Purrrr

Because I know that, had I given us both what we wanted that night, you would be my wife now, instead of his.”

Oh my god

“You continue to wound me, you awful girl. Because I know. Had I spent a single night with you, I would never have wished for us to be parted from that day forward.”

Ughhhhh tariq

“Ever since the afternoon I watched you fall from the battlements at Taleqan, you’ve felt inevitable to me. That’s how much I love you.” His words were effortless. Just as always. “But you can no longer say the same about me, can you?”

Omg tariq :(((((

“I do love you, Tariq.” With great care, Shahrzad settled a palm against his cheek. “But . . . he’s where I live.”

Brb I’m crying

“I knew you were in love with him when I saw you together in Rey. But . . . I’ve been a fool, clinging to misbegotten hope.”

I genuinely feel bad for him

Then his features shifted slowly to the pouting butterfly at his bedside. To Khalid’s best spy.

Omg no. She can’t leave ??

“You’re better than beautiful.” Rahim took a careful breath. “You’re interesting. Never forget that.”

Awwww

The sun shone bright on the steps of the city’s library. Too bright. Painfully so.

I feel so bad for him

For once, we’re going to fight fair, and I’m going to give you the beating you’ve been due for over a decade, you thankless bastard.”

Plsssssss

“If she left you, it is not my fault,” he said, in that softly condescending manner his cousin so despised. “If you loved her, it was your responsibility to marry her. Your responsibility to care for her. Your responsibility to tell her you loved her.”

Tell him khalid-jan

For nothing, not the sun, not the rain, not even the brightest star in the darkest sky, could begin to compare to the wonder of you.

He saw a boy. Who loved a girl. More than anything in the world.

“Let it take you where your heart longs to be.” Home. To Khalid.

My heart 🥹

Your future is not set in stone, my dearest star. A coin turns on itself a number of times before it lands.”

“I’d sooner kiss a snake.” “Smart girl!” He laughed. “But you’ve kissed a murdering madman . . .” Beads of water rolled down his barreled chest. “Is that not the same thing?”

Bye why is he actually so funny

“No, Queen of a Land I Care Nothing About.” Artan laughed at his own joke. “I won’t.”

Pls

“At least not until you learn to defend yourself. You’re like a newborn colt; I can see everything you’re capable of doing, which is a great deal of nothing, save run your mouth.”

Bye haahah

“Don’t worry; I have no interest in you. I like nice girls, and you are not nice at all. You’re selfish and spiteful.”

Bye haahahahahaha☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

“Don’t misunderstand me. I’m pleased by it. It means we can be friends one day.” “Why in God’s name would I want to be your friend?” Artan fell back into the water with a strangely contented smile. “Because I’m just as selfish and spiteful as you are.”

Wait a minute hes so funny

“Are you angry, little snipe?” Artan continued. “Good. So am I. This makes the second—no, wait—third night in a row you’ve arrived at the temple and ruined my evening with the moon.”

SO UNSERIOUS 😭☠️

“At least your sense of humor offers something to recommend you. Though I’ve never been one for skinny, angry girls.” He cast her a questioning glance. “Does the Caliph of Khorasan like the way you look?” “Of course he does!” “Wretched dolt.” He leaned back on his heels. “Beauty fades. But a pain in the ass is forever.”

Bye☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️I love him

Here, when we are asked to use our abilities, it is always our choice. Here, we are never slaves to our magic.”

Aw :(((

It was because they were two parts of a whole. He did not belong to her. And she did not belong to him. It was never about belonging to someone. It was about belonging together.

I want this

“You must know you have an abominable temper,” Shahrzad said with reproach. A smile ghosted across his lips. “As do you, my queen.”

My queen 🥹

“I dreamed of sleeping beside a girl in my chamber. I don’t remember her face. Nor do I remember anything about her. I only remember how I felt.” “How did you feel?” “As though I’d found peace.”

So her??🥹

“When I was in the desert, I woke each day and carried on with my life, but it wasn’t living; it was merely existing. I want to live. You are where I live.”

I’m crying

“I’ve missed the silence of you listening to me.”

Ugh I want this

“Stop smiling and go to sleep.” “How do you know I’m smiling? You’re not even looking at me.” “I can feel you smiling, Shazi.”

Ugghhhh khalid-jan

“Sometimes . . . I worry I want too much,” Shahrzad said. “It’s not possible. For you deserve everything you want and more.”

How delulu i want my man:

True strength isn’t about sovereignty. It’s about knowing when you need help and having the courage to accept it.”

“You don’t need to say you love me. I know you do. But . . . may I ask why you won’t?”

Omg

Khalid pulled her closer. “At Ava’s grave, I swore I would spend my life showing those I loved how I felt, and never resorting to words. I promised I would do for others what I’d failed to do for her. Not to profess love. But instead to act upon it.”

Idk i think he should still say it

“I wasn’t afraid,” he repeated. “I was terrified.”

Plsss

“You’re beautiful,” Shahrzad commented softly. Khalid’s hand tightened around her waist. “Are you not stealing the words customarily reserved for a man?”

HAhahaha

Artan snorted. “I suppose this is the cursed husband?” He laughed to himself.

Bye☠️☠️

“This is why the world would be a far better place in the hands of women.”

Real

“He’s not mute,” Shahrzad said. “He just doesn’t suffer fools.” “Therefore he must have very little to say around you.”

Bye haahha