The Kingdom of Copper (The Daevabad Trilogy, #2)

by S.A. Chakraborty

When the time came, Ali would die dry-eyed, with the declaration of faith on his lips and a blade in his hand.

“People do not thrive under tyrants, Alizayd; they do not come up with innovations when they’re busy trying to stay alive, or offer creative ideas when error is punished by the hooves of a karkadann.”

“Does it get easier?” Subha finally met her gaze, her tin-toned eyes understanding if not warm. “Yes . . . and no. You learn to distance yourself from it. It’s work; your feelings don’t matter. If anything, they can interfere.”

“The work is what matters. You fix what you can and keep yourself whole enough to move on to the next patient.”