A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones, #1)(108)
I had been wrong before. It was not a cruel world.
Or it was, but it was also wonderful.
I had seen more beauty, joy, and hope in the past few months than I thought existed. And there was so much more out there. There were so many people, so much love, and so much possibility. I couldn’t let it be snuffed out by one man, Fae or otherwise.
I could do this, for Evendell. For my family. For Mari. For all the innocent Fae and mortals alike. I could find this blade. Fight this battle alongside the man who had thoroughly shattered my heart. I could be strong.
It was a world I had to save, even if I wouldn’t live to see it.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There is no other way to begin this than by thanking my brilliant, supportive, and endlessly patient partner, Jack. On our ten-year anniversary trip, amid sunburns, whale sightings, and poolside popsicles, you helped me discover Arwen and Kane’s story. You woke up each morning, and instead of hitting the breakfast buffet we both love so much, let me sit on our balcony and click-clack on my laptop, lost in the Onyx Kingdom, until the midday heat forced me into the pool. And after the trip, you let me pitch story ideas to you, fixed my plot holes, came up with significantly less stupid names for all my cities, and even read my first draft in record time. And then asked, “When do I get to read book two?” All the while, you never complained that this was not what you signed up for, that this was very much not the career I had spent the last seven years building, or that twenty-eight was a little late in life for me to decide I wanted to be a fantasy romance author. I am so grateful for you, there is no way to put it into words. I would brave a hundred Shadow Woods for you.
Along the road to publishing my first novel there were so many other wonderful, helpful individuals I’d like to thank as well. My creative, imaginative mom, who taught me everything I know about storytelling (and humans in general). My thoughtful beta readers who convinced me this might be a story worth sharing with others. My brilliant editor Natalie who reminded me to take my time and build and build and build the tension. My lovely proofreaders Naomi and Danni, who elevated the entire novel with their sharp eyes. The loyal (and hilarious) TikTok community that so closely followed this book and its release—none of this would have happened without your passion. And lastly, my darling Milo, the best dog a person could ask for. Thanks for sitting beside me for entire weekends while I wrote, and never complaining when I would randomly scream at my computer screen for no reason. You’re a real one.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate Golden lives in Los Angeles where she works full time in the film industry developing stories with screenwriters and filmmakers. A Dawn of Onyx is her debut novel, and the first in the Sacred Stones trilogy. In her free time she is an avid book reader, movie fanatic, and functioning puzzle addict. An embarrassing LA cliché, she likes to hike, brunch, and go to the flea market with her fiancé and her puppy.