Hart's Hope — Orson Scott Card

JUSTICE IS CRUEL

But tender mercy is the cruelest of all.

It was for mercy's sake that Palicroval the Fair left you to live after the desecration of your honor...to live and become great Queen Beauty, whose power makes the very gods tremble and whose mercy is that of the grave. You would lay the world to ruin for your soul's ease, and see the corruption of the heavens for your pain.

But beware Beauty--for tho' your power is mighty, there is still magic in the Land, and the Hart has bred a son... and the ones who have suffered your vengeance for so long may exact a payment that could split the world asunder.