Everland(86)

“And now?” Pete asks, watching the retreating clouds.

Returning my eyes to the clear night sky, I sigh. “Now I couldn’t find it even if I needed to. It’s lost among the thousands of other stars.”

Pete pulls me into him and buries his head in my neck. “It’s not lost, Gwen. It’s still there, guiding you to the things you desire most. Leading you to your next adventure. You just have to look for it.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, right. How can I follow a single point in a sea of stars?”

Pete’s lips quirk into a crooked smile. He puts his hands on my shoulders and turns me to the north. He wraps his arms around my waist and whispers, his breath tickling my ear. His warmth chases the chill from my body. “Search for the brightest star in the sky.”

Thousands of stars glitter in the inky black sky, each blinking to a rhythm of its own. One star shimmers brighter than the others, an iridescent display of colors in a single embedded diamond. I point to it. “There it is!”

Pete laughs. “That’s Sirius. Next to the sun, it’s the brightest star in the sky.”

“It’s beautiful,” I say, watching its silver pulse.

Turning me back around, Pete brushes my cheek with the palm of his hand. “Not as beautiful as you,” he says.

Blushing, I look away. With a crooked finger, he tilts my chin up so that our eyes meet.

“I’m serious, Gwen,” he says. “You’re beautiful. And what you did back there in Everland? That was brave, one of the bravest things I’ve ever seen.”

Images of Everland cloud my thoughts. Visions of Hook brought to his knees by my hand. Smeeth’s death. The sting of guilt pricks my heart.

I turn my stare to Sirius, and the star twinkles back. “What do you think is next for us?”

As the zeppelin flies us away from the ruins of Everland, Pete places his hand on my cheek, his fingers tangling into my curls. “I don’t know, but no matter where our adventures take you, I hope you stay with us”—Pete dips his chin as his cheeks grow pink—“with me, forever.”

“Forever is a very long time, Pete,” I say, lifting his chin to meet my gaze.

With his brilliant green eyes fixed on me, he leans in. When his lips touch mine, it’s as light as fairy wings, but an exhilarating rush I feel everywhere. I wind my arms around his neck, kissing him back, pulling him closer. I feel the pulse of my heart beating a tattoo through all of me, declaring me a Lost Girl … Pete’s Lost Girl. Too soon, Pete pulls away, breathless, and the stars seem to shine brighter in the cloudless sky. Our fingers intertwine and he touches his forehead to mine, his gaze never leaving my eyes.

“A very long time indeed,” he says with a crooked grin.





Everland became reality thanks to the patience, determination, and advice of many. I am grateful to my husband, Stu—my best friend, biggest champion, and rock. Thank you for supporting me as I chase my dreams. And I owe the warmest of thanks and huge momma-bear hugs to my three sons. You’re my favorite Lost Boys, and I’m so proud to be your mom. I wish you didn’t have to grow up. K, thanks for the Steam Crawler idea.

My parents, Mary and Joseph, who against all odds still managed to help foster my belief in fairy tales and happily-ever-afters. Thank you for always loving and cheering for me, even when I deserved a swift kick in the butt instead. And also my siblings, Brandi and Jeffery, who make me the luckiest sister on earth. I will always love you both no matter what.

Bob, who loves me like a daughter, and Harriett, who was one of my best friends, thank you for always encouraging me to keep writing.

To the infamous BBBs, Erika Gardner, Jennifer Fosberry, Cameron Sullivan, Amy Moellering, Georgia Choate, Jerie Jacobs, and M. Pepper Langlinais, thank you, my sweet girlies. I’m so grateful to have you as my strongest cheerleaders—this story would never have come to life without you!

Ashley Hearn, Jennifer Dyer, Joseph Isaacs, Frank Anderson, and Anoosha Lalani, you are the best virtual critique partners I could have ever found. Promise me someday we’ll meet and celebrate.

Daphne, thanks for being my very first fangirl.

A girl needs her BFFs, and I hit the jackpot with mine. Words can’t express my appreciation and love for the three of you, Miriam, Audrey, and Erika.

I’m forever grateful to Ed Westmoreland and his staff, who let me take free residence at a prime table in Eddie Papa’s restaurant. Special thank-you to Seth for bringing back Hahn.

Thank-you to Department 384, who are by far the best group of characters a writer could have and my most animated beta readers. Hug to you, Phil, for reading for me, loving me, and treating me like a princess, and to Guy for being my Pete inspiration.

Also, I can’t leave out Marissa Meyer and Veronica Rossi for your continued support. While I fangirled over your successes, you took the time to cheer me on, too.

A Lost Girl couldn’t have a more incredible agent than Thao Le. I am endlessly indebted that you took a chance on me and believed in my story—thank you for everything.

Special thanks go out to the rest of the team at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, including the lovely Sandra Dijkstra, Andrea Cavallaro, Jennifer Kim, and Elise Capron.

It’s been a privilege and honor to work with the amazing Jody Corbett, my unbelievably awesome editor. You not only saw my vision but helped make it sparkle. I often wonder if you’re secretly part pixie.