The Hollow Crown (Kingfountain #4)(89)

“Where did you hide Kiskaddon, my love?” Dragan grinned.

Morwenna raised her eyebrows mockingly. “You mean you don’t remember?”

The thief blinked at her, startled. “Remember?”

In her mind’s eye, she saw the oak tree thick with leaves and mistletoe with water trickling from its roots by the plinth and silver bowl. The original story was in her ancient copy of The Hidden Vulgate. She had learned of it in her first month at the poisoner school. She had learned so much after finding that vellum tome. Sometimes she fancied the book was alive.

Morwenna gave him a cunning look as she flexed her hand, feeling once again the invisible ring that was already around her finger.





AUTHOR’S NOTE

When I wrote in my note at the end of The King’s Traitor, I mentioned that I thought the children of these main characters needed a turn on stage. I saw more light farther down the tunnel. I’ve really enjoyed respinning obscure Arthurian legends into this new world. The famous Round Table of Camelot is the inspiration behind the prominent Ring Table in this book. But the idea that really ignited my imagination had to do with the character of Sir Lancelot du Lac. He was the most famous and often mysterious of the knights of the Round Table. And the thought that struck me was, What if Lancelot were a girl?

Once you tip an idea over on its head, all sorts of offshoot ideas come into play. I needed a heroine, someone who was Owen and Sinia’s daughter. She needed a weakness. She needed someone to love who couldn’t or shouldn’t love her back. The name of her character came to me as I was listening to Kate Rudd’s narration of The Queen’s Poisoner and it struck me how likely it was Owen would want to name his child after the woman who had saved his life. It all worked.

But Trynne’s character is not based on a legend. She is based on a young woman whom my wife and I have known for many years. A young woman who, through a freak accident, developed Bell’s palsy as a child. Her resiliency and courage through this trial has been a source of inspiration for me and many others. She is currently serving as a Spanish-speaking missionary for my church in Washington, DC, and won’t read this note until after she returns home again.

The world has many people who are examples and inspirations to me. And so I dedicated this book to one of them.





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My editor, Jason Kirk, always encourages me to raise the stakes. After sending him the pitch for this new series, he wrote me some very encouraging words and helped champion this idea to get it to you. There are many others who play a role in my process. I’d like to thank my sister Emily, who nearly had panic attacks each week waiting for the next installment to arrive. I’d also like to thank my wife, Gina, for helping me perfect the final scene between Trynne and Fallon. Her suggestions definitely improved it. Also, thanks to my wonderful early readers: Robin, Shannon, Karen, Travis, and Sunil. And to the amazing team at Amazon Publishing and my editors for their support: Jason Kirk, Courtney Miller, Britt Rodgers, Angela Polidoro, and Wanda Zimba. Thank you all!