Seven Black Diamonds (Seven Black Diamonds #1)(93)

When he pulled back and smiled at her, he slung an arm around her shoulders and said, “So, I know a place we can sunbathe in private.”

Alkamy giggled, and Zephyr muttered, “Just walk, you two. This is far more of an audience than Lily needs.”

Creed rolled his eyes. “Garden?”

“Umm, I need to check on Erik first. I left him with Vi.” Lily shot a guilty look over her shoulder. “Erik was my friend before he tried to be anything else. I owe him more of an explanation, and I obviously need to talk to Daidí, and I still need to figure out where I factor in the queen’s decision to call a cease-fire in the war and—”

“We need to do that, Lily,” Zephyr said. “We’re still a team.”

“One thing at a time.” Alkamy reached out and squeezed Lily’s hand. “Smile pretty, princess. Everyone’s staring at you since that kiss. It’ll be in the papers despite the no-photos-at-Columba’s rule.”

“Black Diamonds Commandment #1,” Creed whispered. “We’re in this together.”

With the practiced calm that all four of them had mastered by now, the group headed back toward the dorms. They’d figure it out.

Together.





Acknowledgments


Some of the usual suspects need thanks:

Jeaniene Frost, Kelley Armstrong, and Jeanette Battista read and kept me sane(ish) while writing. I’d hide a body for all/any of you.

Neil provided shelter and space where the words are many and the peace is endless. Sending much love to you, as always.

Merrilee gave me the mad enthusiasm and faith that makes me think she might be a wee bit crazier than me. I’m grateful for having you in my corner.

Susan Katz, Kate Jackson, Jean McGinley, Alison Donalty, and Colleen O’Connell have been with me at Harper for eight (?!) novels before this one. Having a team like you has made all the difference over the years. Thank you.

Additional thanks must go to:

Laura Kalnajs read, reread, reread this book again—and scrawled margin notes every time . . . all while reminding me of the things I need to do, sign, or attend. You are a gift.

Diana Santillán double-checked my Spanish. (Who knew that a friendship from seventh grade would lead to such an odd request, umm, a few years later?) Thank you, Di.

Youval Kuipers walked me through various sword-fighting scenarios (and convinced me that I needed to have a sword in my hand in order to do so). You’ve been completely unexpected.

Kristen Pettit (my new YA editor) thought a three-word pitch (“faery sleeper cells”) was actually the start of a new book and patiently listened when I went on folklore digressions in conversations. Thank you for being hard-core in slashing my prose.

Extra gratitude needs to be sent to:

Cynthia Omololu, who listened and laughed when I was writing this. I love you (enough to constantly try foods you hold out, even eel because your son gave me puppy eyes, too!).

My son Dylan, who doesn’t hold my frequent travel or bad cooking skills against me.

My spouse, who has marginally better cooking skills and excellent toddler-wrangling skills.

My toddler, who thinks that my job is either “go avion” (plane) or “drink cat pee” (coffee) and is sure I need kisses to do so. (He’s right.) My readers and reviewers, who have been buying my books and/or borrowing them from the library for ten years now. Thank you for a decade of support. XO.