Elyse

“He felt a flood of shame because she didn't fear him and a crackle of comfort before she didn't fear him.”
― Hafsah Faizal, We Hunt the Flame

“He had been so sure of so much, but now he wasn't sure of anything anymore. He paused and met her eyes. If a poet were to describe them, he would say to look in her eyes was to see the sea's first glimpse of the sun, drinking its reflection with endless ripples. Or something like that.”
― Hafsah Faizal, We Hunt the Flame

“Will there ever come a time when you won't see me as a monster?' he asked suddenly.
She stopped at the softness of his tone, so unlike the unfeeling prince she had come to know. Some part of her wanted to reach for him, to smooth away the unhappiness creasing his face, to touch the scars that made him him.
'Monsters cannot become men,' she whispered instead, and the darkness hummed its agreement.
He exhaled through parted lips, and his unhappiness only increased. 'Of course. That was selfish of me.'
That does not mean I cannot love a monster.”
― Hafsah Faizal, We Hunt the Flame

“Altair adjusted his turban, a gleam in his eyes. 'I'm big enough to keep anyone busy for a while.'
Nasir gagged and Kifah sputtered.”
― Hafsah Faizal, We Hunt the Flame