Shahrzad Quotes & Sayings

Shahrzad closed her eyes in defeat and slid her palms to his chest. Then she reached behind him in an embrace of sandalwood and sun. Khalid wrapped both his arms around Shahrzad, and they stood together under the dome of the Grand Portico, with the indecipherable art of love poems giving silent testament. — Renee Ahdieh

When I was a boy, my mother would tell me that one of the best things in life is the knowledge that our story isn't over yet. Our story may have come to a close, but your story is still yet to be told.
Make it a story worthy of you — Renee Ahdieh

There is no one I would rather see the sunrise with than you. — Renee Ahdieh

And, with a kiss, Shahrzad let herself fall.
For the boy who was an impossible, improbable study in contrasts. The boy who burned her life to cinder, only to remake of it a world unlike any she had ever known. — Renee Ahdieh

I will live to see tomorrow's sunset. Make no mistake. I swear. I will live to see as many sunsets as it takes. And I will kill you. With my bare hands. — Renee Ahdieh

She shook her head, though her shoulders trembled and her nails dug into her palms. "You are ridiculous, Khalid Ibn al-Rashid. I am just one girl. You are the Caliph of Khorasan, and you have a responsability to a kingdom."

"If you are just one girl, I am just one boy."

Shahrzad closed her eyes, unable to hold the fierce light in his gaze. — Renee Ahdieh

You have a beautiful laugh. Like the promise of tomorrow. — Renee Ahdieh

Shahrzad took a deep breath. "Tariq - " "I'm not leaving without you!" He spun around and pulled her against him. "This is not your fight! It never should have been your fight!" At — Renee Ahdieh

If you are just one girl, I am just one boy." Shahrzad — Renee Ahdieh

She was a dangerous, dangerous girl. A plague. A Mountain of Adamant who tore the iron from ships, sinking them to their watery graves without a second thought. With a mere smile and a wrinkle of her nose. — Renee Ahdieh

Daughter of a whore," he muttered. Khalid froze, his knuckles turning a perilous shade of white. Shahrzad grabbed his arm and dragged him away. She could see the muscles ticking along his jaw. "You know, you have quite a temper," she remarked after they had cleared some distance. He said nothing. "Khalid?" "Is that kind of disrespect . . . normal?" Shahrzad lifted a shoulder. "It's not normal. But it's not unexpected. It's the curse of being a woman," she joked in a morose manner. "It's obscene. He deserves to be flogged. — Renee Ahdieh

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

And how will you know when you've found this elusive someone?" Shahrzad retorted.
"I suspect she will be like air. Like knowing how to breathe." He regarded her with the stillness of a hawk as he said these words, and Shahrzad's throat went dry.
"Poetry," she whispered. "Not reality. — Renee Ahdieh

In my life, the one thing I have learned above all is that no individual can reach the height of their potential without the love of others — Renee Ahdieh

As always. As ever. As a rose to the sun. — Renee Ahdieh

Let go of it this instant, or I'll dump it's contents on your head and leave you to wallow in honeyed misery," he whispered in her ear, his amusement as plain as his threat.
Shahrzad froze, his breath tickling her skin.
"Do it and I'll bite your hand," she said. "Until you scream like a little boy."
He laughed--a rich susurrus of air and sound. "I thought you were tired of bloodshed. Perhaps I'll toss you over my shoulder. In front of everyone."
Refusing to comply with out a fight, she pinched his forearm until he grimaced. — Renee Ahdieh

Get up, Shahrzad al-Khayzuran. You kneel before no one. Least of all me. — Renee Ahdieh

The mighty Caliph of Khorasan. The King of Kings. Her beautiful monster. — Renee Ahdieh

The darker the sky, the brighter the stars. — Renee Ahdieh

I never lose, nor am I afraid to spill blood. — Renee Ahdieh

You are not weak. You are not indecisive. You are strong. Fierce. Capable beyond measure. — Renee Ahdieh

I love you, Shahrzad al-Khayzuran. There is nothing I would not do for you. Nothing I would not consider if it meant keeping you safe. The world itself should fear me if it stands between us. — Renee Ahdieh

Khalid would break every bone in your body for what you've done. — Renee Ahdieh

When she wound her fingers in his hair to draw her body against his, he stilled for breath, and she knew, as he knew, that they were lost. Lost forever. In this kiss. This kiss that would change everything. — Renee Ahdieh

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.' Of course, I then demanded to know what constituted hell. She looked me straight in the eye and said, 'A heart absent love.'" Despina studied Shahrzad as she spoke. — Renee Ahdieh

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

Shahrzad paused. Then made a decision. Honey catches more flies than vinegar. — Renee Ahdieh

Her conviction wavered further. "I told you; don't try to own me."
"I don't want to own you."

She swiveled her neck to meet his gaze. "Then never speak of sending me away again. I am not yours to do with as you will."

Khalid's features smoothed knowingly. "How right you are. You are not mine." He dropped his palm from the door. "I am yours. — Renee Ahdieh

I've missed the silence of you listening to me." Shahrzad attempted a weak smile. "No one listens to me as you do." His expression turned quizzical. "You don't wait to speak," she clarified. "You truly listen." "Only to you," Khalid replied gently. — Renee Ahdieh

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

You sent Shahrzad away with a boy I would not trust with a dying snake. — Renee Ahdieh

A true plague of a girl. And yet a queen in every sense of the word. — Renee Ahdieh

I understand how difficult it is, putting your heart in someone else's hands. But, if you don't, how will you ever truly know a person? — Renee Ahdieh

It's a fitting punishment for a monster. to want something so much - to hold it in your arms - and know beyond a doubt you will never deserve it. — Renee Ahdieh

Shazi,

I prefer the color blue to any other. The scent of lilacs in your hair is a source of constant torment. I despise figs. Lastly, I will never forget, all the days of my life, the memories of last night -
For nothing, not the sun, not the rain, not even the brightest star in the darkest sky, could begin to compare to the wonder of you.

Khalid. — Renee Ahdieh

The sound of his anguish spiraled up into a desert night, across a vast spread of tiny stars. Through Shahrzad's very skin. Without a word, Shahrzad took his hand and led him into the desert, far beyond the enclave of tents. When she finally turned to face him, Tariq appeared to have aged a decade in a matter of moments. They stared at each other across a small sea of glittering sand. Across years of friendship and trust, seemingly lost in an instant. — Renee Ahdieh

This dangerous girl. This captivating beauty.
This destroyer of worlds and creator of wonder. — Renee Ahdieh

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

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

I love you, she said. Khalid lifted his head to hers. She placed a hand against his cheek. Beyond words. — Renee Ahdieh

The warm sound of her laughter stole through Khalid's skin, heating the coldest reaches of his soul. — Renee Ahdieh

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

I think beauty is rarely worth the trouble." Shahrzad gripped Irsa's hand tighter in sisterly solidarity. "But I am worth a great deal more than what you see. — Renee Ahdieh

Are you finally starting to breathe in a normal fashion?" Shahrzad teased. "I must confess I find your behavior rather odd, considering you said only a child would be afraid to fly."
"I wasn't afraid." Khalid wrapped a forearm of corded muscle around her. She slanted a disbelieving look his way. "You just lied to me."
"I wasn't afraid," he repeated. "I was terrified. — Renee Ahdieh

Before she could stop her hands, they reached for him, as though they existed for no other reason than to touch him. Her fingers brushed across his jaw with a feather's caress before pulling away, and he closed his eyes on a soft inhale. Like the poison toying with its remedy, Shahrzad's hands ignored her and took control, a mere taste of his skin not nearly enough. Never enough. — Renee Ahdieh

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

Tonight is a night to turn heads. Make them remember you. Make sure they never forget. You are the Calipha of Khorasan, and you have the ear of a king." Despina put her hand on Shahrzad's shoulder and grinned at their shared reflection. "More important, you have his heart." She bent forward and lowered her voice. "And, most important, you are a fearsome thing to behold in your own right. — Renee Ahdieh

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

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

So you would have me throw Shazi to the wolves?"
"Shazi?" Jalal's grin widened. "Honestly, I pity the wolves. — Renee Ahdieh

For without a measure of arrogance, how can one attempt the impossible? — Renee Ahdieh

We women are a sad lot, aren't we?"
"What do you mean?"
"Strong enough to take on the world with our bare hands, yet we permit ridiculous boys to make fools of us."
"I am not a fool."
"No, you're not. Not yet. — Renee Ahdieh

And only those watching very carefully saw the Caliph of Khorasan lean back against the cushions and toy with the bangles on his wife's arm. — Renee Ahdieh

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

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

You laugh very loud - as if you are the only one in the world," Despina commented.

Shahrzad wrinkled her nose. "That's funny. My sister says something very similar."

"I assume it makes little difference to you."

"Why? You'd prefer I stop?" she teased.

"No," Khalid said, as he strode into the Grand Portico. "I would not."

"Sayyidi." Despina bowed.

He nodded at her. "I cannot speak for Despina. But you do laugh too loud. And I hope you never stop. — Renee Ahdieh

Jalal," she said, "I can explain."
"There's no need."
"I'm not - "
"I told you; there's no need." He spoke simply. "I trust you. — Renee Ahdieh

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."
"If you are just one girl, I am just one boy. — Renee Ahdieh

Shahrzad followed him with her eyes, aware she likely resembled a predator stalking prey. — Renee Ahdieh