#bashir ayan

Ihsan scowled. That she was with child from someone else and rushed into a betrothal to hide it? Wouldn’t that be the Wheel’s sinister spin. A bastard child before he’d even been married. He wouldn’t put it past Kadir to engineer such a thing, to make certain Ihsan’s marriage, which was supposed to cement his place in line for the crown, was tarnished from the start. He didn’t like it. He wanted to believe her smiles, the real ones. They felt like the only sunshine he’d been able to bear in Turns. No one at court smiled like that. Genuinely. It was all games and deflections. But it would make sense. A noblewoman appearing out of nowhere, from a father who had been silent at court for decades. To foist off their shame on him. Cold temper sent ice skimming across the table from where his fingers touched it. “It is only a rumor, Efendim,” Bashir said, careful, as he eyed the frost crawling across the map. pg.213

Aysel looked at him as if he were a rabid cur. “You’re very bad at people, you have realized this, yes?” “Aysel,” Bashir warned. She shrugged when Ihsan glared at her over his fingertips. “Finish telling me why you are here, then get out.” He needed away from people. She was right, he was bad at them. His scars ached and itched and his temper was fraying. pg.164

She would find out what the Sultana intended to do about Benat. He was a danger to himself at the very least, but more frightening, to the entire city. It had never occurred to her what a rogue earth mage was capable of. Commander Ayan had impeccable control of his power, had been known for it while studying at the University. A single angry episode from Benat and Narfour, centuries of architecture and history, would fall in the sea. pg. 362

"You are very loyal to her." "She has made a place for herself among people who do not want her, and has helped me do the same. When I took the exams to enter the University, I did it because I was mad at my mother. We couldn't afford it. But the Sultana saw how highly I scored and paid my way. And she gave me, a fatherless lowborn, a position in her guard because she saw potential when any other noble would just see a stable boy. I admire and respect her, and I owe her a great deal."

"The Sultana was generous with me. The prince was not. I don't know what he'll wish to do with me after this. I begged them to let me come find you. I should return to the palace soon and face whatever punishment he's devised." pg.227

He raised an eyebrow at Bashir. "I have no doubt you'll catch this assassin, but I also want you to promise me that you will never leave the Sultana alone with Behram Kadir, even after you do. I do not care how cross she is with you." pg.304

"Why is the Sultana upset?" Bashir asked. Samira stopped mid-pour. She steadied her grip and resumed, and without looking at Bashir, said, "She had been with her father. Were you spying on them?" She leveled him with a look that revealed a bit more of her fire. Why would being with her father upset her? "I was," Aysel admitted. "Please do not," Samira said. "They have little enough privacy as it is." Aysel liked her more for being protective, and nodded. pg.282

"Bashir," Makram said when Bashir grasped the handle of the door. He turned back. "Never again." No magic showed in his eyes or on his skin, but it was there, darkening his voice and making the two simple words into a violent threat. pg.237