The Goblin Emperor (The Chronicles of Osreth, #1)

by Katherine Addison

I cannot afford this anger. The Emperor of the Ethuveraz cannot become vengeful, for once begun, there will never be an end of it. Ulis, he prayed, abandoning the set words, let my anger die with him. Let both of us be freed from the burden of his actions. Even if I cannot forgive him, help me not to hate him.

“We consider it cruel,” Maia said. “And we do not think that cruelty is ever just.