The Light of All That Falls (The Licanius Trilogy, #3)

by James Islington

“Imagine if Davian and Wirr believed the Venerate’s arguments, became convinced and joined their attack on this world. You would be angry with them, yes—argue with them, do everything that you could to bring them back, maybe even fight them if you had to—but would you stop loving them?” His voice was soft. “I am frustrated by them, Ashalia. Angry with them and hurt by them. And they by me. None of that erases centuries of friendship. It does not change the fact that they are my family, constants in my life in a way that no one could ever replicate.” To Asha’s surprise, a couple of tears began the slow journey down his cheeks, though Caeden didn’t seem to notice. “I will kill them, Ashalia, because this world will end if I do not. But never imagine that it means I do not love them.”

“It’s not enough to fight for the right side. You have to figure out how to fight the right way, too. If winning is truly all that matters, then we’ve lost sight of what’s actually right and wrong in the first place.”