“Whatever my ancestors did to you, none of them consulted me.”

“But none of it will be real. None of them will want me. My throne, yes. Prestige. A conquest. But not me.”

“Fate or imprinting, or whatever the hell my people want to call it – none of that can make me love you.”“I love you, Layla. I love your stubborn streak, the way you love Rosie, Raife, and Tati. I admire you desire for independence, and Lord knows, I love your moxie.”“Fate didn’t make me love you… you did.”

“There is no health in those who are displeased by an element in Your creation, just as there was none in me when I was displeased by many things You had made. Because my soul didn't dare to say that my God displeased me, it refused to attribute to You whatever was displeasing.”

“This is the Tree of Forgetfulness. All the headmen here plant one of these trees in the village. They say ancestors stay inside it. If there is some sickness or if you are troubled by spirits, then you sit under the Tree of Forgetfulness and your ancestors will assist you with whatever is wrong'.”

“He knew what it was like to love one who did not--or could not--love you back. But he'd had no choice. None of them did.”