The Oleander Sword (The Burning Kingdoms, #2)

by Tasha Suri

“I can’t bring down a whole city,” said Priya swiftly. Her heart was hammering again. She felt almost suffocated by Malini’s weight against her. She could not do what Malini wanted. She could not. “I barely survived bringing down the river. Malini…” She trailed off. Malini was still leaning into her. It was, Priya realized, as if Malini was afraid that if she let go, Priya would vanish entirely. “It would be,” Malini said, “a last resort.” Priya exhaled through an ache in her lungs she couldn’t put a name to. How can you look at me so tenderly, and ask me to die for you? “What would you have done if I hadn’t come?” Priya asked. “What then?” “I would have faced all my battles with everything in me,” said Malini. “I would have struggled with Mahesh’s faith and his loyalties. I would have watched Rao seek to turn from me, back to my brother’s light, again and again. And I would have kept on fighting, Priya, for all that I want, and all that I deserve. And I would have lost.” Her eyes fluttered closed. “I may lose, still. But I cannot let Chandra win. Let Aditya be forced onto the throne, if he must. Let me die. But Chandra cannot have it.”