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“The mighty Caliph of Khorasan. The King of Kings. Her beautiful monster.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“I have learned above all is that no individual can reach the height of their potential without the love of others. We are not meant to be alone, Shahrzad. The more a person pushes others away, the clearer it becomes he is in need of love the most.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“Do you understand, Brat Calipha?â€� Despina continued.
Shahrzad glanced over her shoulder at her handmaiden, in stalwart silence.
Despina sighed. “On pain of death…you are as important to him as his own life.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“In your honesty, I saw a reflection of myself. Or rather, of the man I longed to be. So I failed you. I didn’t stay away. Then, later, I thought if I had answers, it would be enough. I would no longer care. You would no longer matter. So I continued failing you. Continued wanting more. And now I can’t find the words to say what must be said. To convey to you the least of what I owe. When I think of you, I can’t find the air to b r e a t h e.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“Despina edged closer. “When I was a little girl in Thebes, I remember asking my mother what heaven was. She replied, ‘A heart where love dwells.â€� Of course, I then demanded to know what constituted hell. She looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘A heart absent love.’â€� Despina studied Shahrzad as she spoke.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“The tears and the pain all but blinding her, she forced open her eyes one more time, to a curtain of dark hair; to a waterfall of black ink spilling across the last page of her life.
No.
I’m not nothing.
I was loved.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“I suspect she will be like air. Like knowing how to breathe.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“Jalal shook his head and moved toward Khalid. "She is. Please give her a chance to explain."
"Leave," Khalid commanded quietly.
"Don't let your fear and your distrust ruin this."
His uncle took Jalal by the shoulder.
"She loves you!" Jalal continued, his tone heedless. "This is not what it seems. Maybe it began as something else, but I would bet my life on what it is now. She loves you. Please don't fall to hate. You're not your father. You are so much more. She is so much more.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“Her own awareness had risen like the dawn on her back.Like a leaden sunrise veiled in a swirl of storm clouds. It was no longer enough to have answers for Shiva's sake. Indeed, it had ceased to be about mere vengeance the moment Khalid's lips touched hers in the alley by the souk. She had wanted there to be a reason for this madness, needed there to be a reason, so that she could be with him. So that she could be by his side, make him smile as she laughed, weave tales by lamplight, and share secrets in the dark.So that she could fall asleep in his arms and awaken to a brilliant tomorrow.
But it was too late. He was the Mehrdad of her nightmares. She had opened the door. She had seen the bodies hanging from the walls, without explanation. Without justification.
And without one, Shahrzad knew what must be done. Khalid had to answer for such vile deeds. Such rampant death.
Even if he was her air.
Even if she loved him beyond words.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“The moment I saw him running toward you that morning, I knew you were going to save him, just as he saved you.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Rose & the Dagger

“The warm sound of her laughter stole through Khalid's skin, heating the coldest reaches of his soul.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Rose & the Dagger

“My favorite color is violet. The scent of roses makes me feel at home, wherever I am. I do not enjoy fish, but I will eat it to make a loved one happy, suffering through my smile.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“You are ridiculous, Khalid Ibn al-Rashid. I am just one girl. You are the Caliph of Khorasan, and you have a responsibility to a kingdom.â€�
“If you are just one girl, I am just one boy.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“I never lose, nor am I afraid to spill blood.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“I know very little, and I still know more than you, Khalid-jan. I know love is fragile. And loving someone like you is near impossible. Like holding something shattered through a raging sandstorm. If you want her to love you, shelter her from that storm . . .â€�
Jalal rose to his feet, straightening the insignia of the Royal Guard at his shoulder. “And make certain that storm isn’t you.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“She wanted to kiss him.
No.
It was one thing to return his kiss; she’d been prepared for that. But it was another thing entirely to want his kissâ€� another thing entirely to desire his affections.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“What are you doing to me, you plague of a girl?â€� he whispered.
“If I’m a plague, then you should keep your distance, unless you plan on being destroyed.�
“No. Destroy Me.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“It was a vain attempt at indifference, on both their parts.

For Shahrzad bore silent witness to the truth. It was only for an instant, and they never glanced at each other. Yet, she wondered how anyone could miss it—the subtle shift in Jalal’s shoulders, and the telltale tilt to Despina’s head.

Shahrzad smiled knowingly.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“Where were you?" Shahrzad tried to control the tremor in her voice.
"Not where I should have been."
"This morning and last night."
His breath fanned on her skin as he bent toward her ear. "This morning, I was not where I should have been. Last night, I was not where I wanted to be.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“He had only began to process his confusion when Captain al-Khoury seized him by the arm.
Tariq knocked away the arrogant boy's hand. "What - "
"Do you still love her?" He spoke in a urgent whisper.
"That's none of your business."
"Answer me, you fool. Do you?"
Tariq clenched his teeth, returning the captain of the Royal Guard's fierce glare.
"Always."
"Then make sure she never comes back.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“Cease with the displays of false modesty. The entire palace knows about it."
A feeling of warmth crept up Shahrzad's neck. "Knows about what?"
Despina grinned. "The Caliph of Khorasan going into the gardens at dawn alone. And returning with a single rose.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“Khalid would break every bone in your body for what you've done.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Rose & the Dagger

“Do you know why I adore roses?" Shahrzad untied the knot of his tikka sash with deliberate slowness. "I've always loved them for their beauty and their scent, but--"
"It's because of their thorns." His muscles tensed at her touch. "Because there's more to them than first meets the eye.”
― Renee Ahdieh

“These two words from a boy who was less than nothing. These two words that gave her the will to fight off the demons: My queen.”
― Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“But I do not see this as a shortcoming. For without a measure of arrogance, how can one attempt the impossible?”
― Renee Ahdieh

“A warmth settled upon her.
All Shahrzad wanted was before her. All Shahrzad needed was within her.
She woke to each dawn with a grateful heart.”
― Renée Ahdied, The Rose & the Dagger

“When I was a little girl in Thebes, I remember asking my mother what heaven was. She replied, ‘A heart where love dwells.â€� Of
course, I then demanded to know what constituted hell. She looked me straight
in the eye and said, ‘A heart absent love.”
― Renée Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

“Exercising restraint.”
― Renée Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn