The Battle Drum (The Ending Fire Trilogy #2)

by Saara El-Arifi

“You promised me a bed,” Jond said. “You promised you’d always have my back,” Sylah snapped back. “Instead, you tried to kill me, and the woman I love. Seems like neither of us are good at promises.”

Fire can forge. Fire can create.

“Wife.” Someone touched her arm, but still Nayeli refused to acknowledge them. The messenger whispered urgently in her ear, their hot breath smelling faintly of chicken. “Inansi, there’s been word from Inansi. He’s alive.”

I knew it! I thought there was a possibility he was still alive

“What is that?” she said. A black ball was in the center of his hand. “Are you people born with your nut sacks on your hands?”

“Leaving you in that cradle was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” Lio spoke haltingly. “No day has passed, no sun has risen, without a thought for you.” “And yet, still, you left me to die.”

“One day someone will say something to you that will resound in your very marrow. It will be a truth so clear that you will do anything to make it become a truth. Then you will understand why I gave you up. Then you will know how it feels to truly believe in something greater than yourself.”

Girl bye she was 2

Anoor didn’t cry when Hassa told her of Lio’s death. Another mother, lost.

“There’s a bed for you in my room. Not my room, but a room. Their room.” Sylah tilted her head, listening to him stumble with unconcealed mirth. “Say room one more time.” Jond’s eyes crinkled. “Room.”

“I’m so sorry.” Tears and sand and blood drew tracks down Sylah’s face. Petal smiled. This is Anyme’s way. Sylah didn’t know what she meant. Neither of them had ever discussed what they would do if the runes failed.

Shes going to sacrifice herself

Ren and Zuhari had a daughter. A daughter that died in the revolt of the hundred. Why did that feel so significant?

Hassa, I don’t think I’m getting out of here alive. Know that I love you. —Scratches drawn into the jail cell of Kwame Muklis