The Candle and the Flame: Chapters 28–40

by Nafiza Azad
Saved by a djinni as a child, eighteen-year old Fatima Ghazala has a magical fire within her that vexes a commander named Zulfikar and draws her into royal conflicts in the city of Noor.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Prologue–Chapter 3, Chapters 4–8, "A State of Becoming"–Chapter 16, Chapters 17–27, Chapters 28–40
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. affability
    a disposition to be friendly and approachable
    Then he released a breath, and his features eased into a somewhat artificial expression of sheepish affability.
  2. requisition
    demand and take for use or service
    They are in a suite of rooms requisitioned for the express purpose of readying the bride for her nikah ceremony.
  3. diaphanous
    so thin as to transmit light
    The long sleeves of the choli are made of fine diaphanous material, as is the dupatta.
  4. conundrum
    a difficult problem
    She chooses a relatively simple shalwar kameez made of soft pale green cotton to change into, then makes the unwelcome discovery that she will need help to get out of her wedding outfit. She looks at Zulfikar, who is looking at her expectantly, having discerned her conundrum.
  5. aspersion
    an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
    "Has it not occurred to you that she may be mistreated, being the sister of the maharajah who cast aspersions on the honor of the patriarch of their family?"
  6. complacent
    contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
    Unfortunately, he has to sit in his well-lit office on the fourth floor and read a report that illustrates, in detail, just how much of a complacent fool he has been.
  7. inherent
    existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
    The city is still full of life, still full of beauty, but all Fatima Ghazala can see is the cruelty inherent in the actions that stole Laali.
  8. exonerate
    pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
    "Is that supposed to exonerate his crimes? He killed Shuruq, Raees. Your grandchild, in case you have forgotten," she tells the leader of the Ifrit.
  9. reticence
    the trait of being uncommunicative
    They are a clan of Djinn known for their reticence to socialize with anyone other than those who belong to their clan. Even we, who live in the same world they do, know little about them.
  10. modicum
    a small or moderate or token amount
    Ifrit soldiers are stationed outside and inside the building to provide a modicum of safety, and the Alif parents, at least, are reassured.
  11. renege
    fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
    Her nightmare has reneged on the treaty between day and night and spilled into reality.
  12. augur
    indicate by signs
    She thinks desperately of the on-goings in the city but can think of no specific event that augurs war.
  13. countenance
    consent to, give permission
    All pretensions of unity have been abandoned, and Bhavya, for one, is glad she no longer has to countenance Jayanti Bua's sour face in the mornings.
  14. listless
    marked by low spirits; showing no enthusiasm
    The maharani, too, has a troubled expression and her movements, though competent, are listless.
  15. niggle
    worry unnecessarily or excessively
    Zulfikar strides away, a niggling sense of worry tormenting him.
  16. equanimity
    steadiness of mind under stress
    Fatima Ghazala retained her equanimity with a determination that impressed even her. Even as they traveled through the forest, a shadow-drenched forest full of smells and noises Fatima Ghazala didn't have the least intention of decoding, she was calm.
  17. castigation
    a severe scolding
    "Anwar told me that there is no progress in the investigation of Firdaus's death. I expected better from you, Zulfikar." The castigation is expected, but it still stings.
  18. blase
    nonchalantly unconcerned
    It occurs to Fatima Ghazala as she follows the Shaitan farther into the haveli, down a flight of stairs and into the basement, that she is being rather blasé about the entire venture.
  19. behoove
    be appropriate or necessary
    Perhaps it would behoove her to be more afraid, but rather than fear, she feels the welcome heat of anger.
  20. vilify
    spread negative information about
    “We are natural. The unnatural ones are the Ifrit, who create order when there should be none, who go against the universe. And yet we are the ones vilified!"
  21. illustrious
    having or conferring glory
    He is always well groomed; his uniform is decorated by the medals he has been awarded in his illustrious military career.
  22. florid
    inclined to a healthy reddish color
    The maharani's expression is pleasant, not censorious at all, and yet a flush of shame creeps up the man's neck, turning his cheeks florid.
  23. languish
    fail to progress or succeed
    Zulfikar is impressed with the way the maharani uses her silence and her grace as weapons. She brings those who would spread discord to heel by letting them languish in this silence.
  24. timorous
    shy and fearful by nature
    Did you think I would wait timorously on the sidelines and allow you to arrange my life?
  25. respite
    a relief from harm or discomfort
    She sees the night arrive at the haveli through the smudged glass windows in the bedroom she was moved to, and with it comes the end of her respite.
  26. rebuff
    reject outright and bluntly
    The Qayyid gives a roar of surprised pain that is abruptly cut short when the universe reclaims him on behalf of the Creator he rebuffed till the last minute.
  27. consort
    keep company with
    Because clearly I am the only one who knows what it means to have royal blood. We do not consort with commoners.
  28. avarice
    reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth
    Aaruv grabs the pack, opens it, and takes out a jeweled box. His expression changes to one of avarice and awe when he sees it.
  29. impervious
    not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
    A numbness has descended upon her, leaving her impervious to pain and emotion.
  30. inured
    made tough by habitual exposure
    She had supposed that after losing so much she would become inured to loss.
  31. strident
    being sharply insistent on being heard
    She turns around and leaves, not heeding the Raees's strident calls to stay.
  32. delineate
    determine the essential quality of
    An oppressive weight presses down the air delineating the subdued atmosphere of the mahal.
  33. ensconce
    fix firmly
    Strangely, the only person who seems to speak the same language as her these days is Sunaina's sister, which is perhaps why the rajkumari spends her days ensconced in the bookstore with little regard for her social status and the obligations accompanying it.
  34. assiduously
    with care and persistence
    Funeral rites were assiduously observed, and evening prayers for the prince continue to this very day.
  35. misogyny
    hatred of women
    If your country didn't cling to its misogyny and forbid women from ruling, you could have passed the crown to Bhavya. She has more than proved her ability to rule.
  36. gambit
    an opening remark intended to secure an advantage
    "How are your nightmares, Raees?" Fatima Ghazala throws the opening gambit.
  37. copious
    large in number or quantity
    She has only just settled Azizah on a futon with copious amounts of desserts, when there is another knock on the door.
  38. vagary
    an unexpected and inexplicable change in something
    Fatima Ghazala has learned the vagaries of love in the absence of it.
  39. bereft
    sorrowful through loss or deprivation
    At first his embrace tightens and she thinks he will refuse to let go, but then his arms fall away and he steps back. Fatima Ghazala is immediately bereft.
  40. squander
    spend thoughtlessly; throw away
    No matter how short our hours are or how swiftly time flees, there is life. And since there is life, habibti, let us live. Let us not squander even one second of it.
Created on Thu Oct 20 09:58:48 EDT 2022 (updated Thu Aug 17 14:41:15 EDT 2023)

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