The Fire Queen (The Hundredth Queen #2)(85)

“I’m sorry, Kali.” He lifts my hands and kisses the backs where my rank marks have faded. “I didn’t want you to leave. I was too focused on our duties to the empire.”

“I’m more than my throne.”

“Of course you are.” He rests his forehead against mine. “I love you. I thought about it a lot since we’ve been apart, and what a fool I was for not telling you.”

“Even though my hands don’t carry my rank, I’m still the kindred. I cannot desert Ashwin to save the empire alone.” Too many people died for peace, Citra being the freshest wound on my heart. Blood is on my hands, and the only way to wash it away is to earn the peace others have died for. “This is who I am. I belong to my throne.”

“And I’m still your guard.”

My fingers thread through the silken hair at his nape, my other hand roaming his soft beard. “I fell in love with my guard.”

Deven presses his forehead against mine. I graze my lips over his, and he bundles me nearer. Our kiss drowns out most of the fears hanging over us. The sunrise will bring with it preparations for war. A battle must be fought against the Voider, and we must win. But for one treasured moment, I nestle into Deven’s side and let all else be.





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


Many thanks to the following:

Marlene Stringer, thank you for your patience with my numerous e-mails and your heartfelt enthusiasm for this book. I took a screenshot of the lovely tweet you posted right after you finished reading this manuscript and will keep it forever. Thank you for continuing to be amazed.

Thank you to the best editor I could have asked for, Jason Kirk, for jumping on board with this next installment of my characters and world. Your guidance and unfailing support are a dream come true. I’m thankful for Clarence Hayes, who helps me dig out the heart of my story and polish it to a shine. Also, thank you to everyone else at Skyscape and Amazon Publishing, especially Brittany and Kim. I am grateful to work with your amazing team.

Kate Coursey (rhymes with “horsey”), thank you for loving something I thought was unlovable and handling my stress texts with admirable grace. Kathryn Purdie, thank you for your love, understanding, and much-needed line edits. Tricia Levenseller, thank you for advising me to stick to the story I originally envisioned.

Thank you to my fabulous crew of talented supporters: Angie Cothran, Erin Summerill, Veeda Bybee, Lauri Schoenfeld, Kate Watson, Michelle Wilson, Breeana Shields, Rebekah Crane, Shaila Patel, Charlie N. Holmberg, and Becky Wallace. Your texts, IMs, and phone calls bring me joy. Thank you.

Michal Cameron and Catherine Dowse, thank you for your excitement and awe. Jessie Farr, my self-proclaimed handmaiden and on-the-side editor, thank you. I’m grateful for my primary group: Cassidi Mecham, Kate Morehead, Gloria Wright, and Brenda Hartvigsen.

Thank you to my mom and dad, for being my top cheerleaders. I adore you both. For Eve and Chris, you are my favorites (ha ha).

John and our four kiddos, Joseph, Julian, Danielle, and Ryan, you inspire me to do better. Thanks for putting up with the long hours, quick meals, and spastic mood swings. I could not do this without you.

My lovely readers, I am your biggest fan.

Lastly but most importantly, my father in heaven, thanks for making all of this possible.