Fairy Godmother

Praise for MERCEDES LACKEY

'She'll keep you up long past your bedtime.'

— New York Times bestselling author Stephen King

'Lively and original, rich in clever ideas...Lackey is one of the best storytellers in the field.'

— Locus

'A writer whose work I've loved all along.'

— New York Times bestselling author Marion Zimmer Bradley

'In this elegant, compelling fantasy from the prolific author of the Valdemar series (Arrows Fall, etc.) Lackey combines meticulously detailed dragon lore with emotionally intense, realistic human characters.... This uplifting tale, which contains a valuable lesson or two on the virtues of hard work, is a must-read for dragon lovers in particular and for fantasy fans in general.'

— Publishers Weekly on Joust

'...with [Lackey], the principal joy is story: she sweeps you along and never lets you go.'

— Locus

'[Lackey] shows a sure touch with the wonder and adventure that characterize the best fantasy writers.'

— Romantic Times

'This is a charming, colorful and romantic coming-of-age tale, deeply imbued with the concept of responsibility as well as the imagined pleasures of power.'

— Publishers Weekly on Winds of Change

*Starred Review* '[Lackey] fills the book with well-limned characterizations and convincing, detailed dragon lore to make up a whole in which Vetch's coming-of-age becomes an integral part. Fans of McCaffrey's Pern will love it, but they won't be the only ones who do.'

— Booklist on Joust

THE FAIRY GODMOTHER

First edition January 2004 THE FAIRY GODMOTHER

ISBN 0-373-80202-1

Copyright © 2004 by Mercedes Lackey

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Worldwide Library, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

® and TM are trademarks of Harlequin Books S.A., used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

Visit LUNA at www.luna-books.com Printed in U.S.A.

Dedicated to the members of the FDNY, lost 9/11/01

Battalion 1

Paul Mitchell

Matthew Ryan

Battalion 2

Richard Prunty

William McGovern

Battalion 6

John Williamson

Battalion 7

Orio Palmer

Stephen Harrell

Philip Petti

Battalion 8

Thomas DeAngelis

Thomas McCann

Battalion 9

Edward Geraghty

Dennis Devlin

Carl Asaro Alan

Feinberg