Within These Wicked Walls(93)

Jember and Saba had both wanted this—to finally be at peace. Their souls weren’t here anymore, but it made me feel better to leave something behind to cover them … to protect them.

To be with them where I couldn’t go.

We carried the chest between us to the coach. Then we sat inside, silently gripping hands, waiting to leave the church behind.

“Are you okay, Andromeda?” Magnus asked gently, as I laid my head on his shoulder.

I shifted to my knee to lean up, kissing his lips. His hand skimmed my jaw, the pure love in his touch pushing away the remainder of my sadness and regret.

“Yes, Magnus,” I whispered to his lips. “I’m definitely okay.”





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

There are so many people who made this dream possible! First, I’d like to thank my God and King, Jesus, and my family for their never-ending support. Thank you to my agent, Lauren Spieller, for scooping me up from the trenches (on my birthday of all days) and for putting up with my shenanigans—pairing up with you has been a gift, and I’ll forever be grateful for your genius notes and wisdom.

To Tiffany Shelton, my Jamaican sister from another mister, who really understood my work—thank you for leaving me in the capable hands and sweet spirit of Vicki Lame, queen among editors, whose patience and knowledge know no bounds. Huge thanks to artist Palesa Monareng and my cover designer, Kerri Resnick, who is a mastermind. Thank you to my publicist, Meghan Harrington, and I can’t forget Jennie Conway, holding everything together. In fact, I have to thank the entire Wednesday Books team, because you all have made my first publishing experience so incredible—Eileen Rothschild, Sara Goodman, Elizabeth Catalano, Lisa Davis, Lena Shekhter, Devan Norman, DJ DeSmyter, Alexis Neuville, Brant Janeway, and Angelica Chong. In all my life I have never worked with such a competent, hardworking, extraordinary group of people, and I feel #blessed.

And last but not least, thank you to all my Ride or Die writer friends and critique partners, especially Ayana Gray (from the trenches to the shelves, baby!), Emily Thiede, Amber Duell, and Maggie Boehme—never have I met such kindred spirits. Shoutout to the ladies of The Muse critique group, Team Peppermint, and The Monsters and Magic Society. I couldn’t have survived this process without any of you!





ABOUT THE AUTHOR




LAUREN BLACKWOOD is a Jamaican American New Yorker living in Virginia who writes romance-heavy fantasy for most ages. When not writing, she’s a physical therapist assistant and violinist who really doesn’t know how to settle on one career field. Within These Wicked Walls is her debut novel. You can sign up for email updates here.