Cast in Sorrow

“Yes. Which is why the choice wasn’t mine. It’s odd. My life has revolved around the day my mother died. My life in the High Court has been tainted by it; my family has certainly changed because of it. Only when I was in the Halls of Law was it irrelevant. And I valued that. I valued it highly. You were part of that life, not this one. I was enraged when Nightshade marked you. I was even less happy when you got lost and wandered into the test of name. His hand was behind it. Don’t bother denying it.

“But now, I’m wondering what he saw that I didn’t—or couldn’t. I wouldn’t have risked you here. Yet without you, we would—all of us—still be trapped. You’ve freed them. You’ve freed Alsanis. You’ve freed Barian.”

“His mother’s not thrilled about that.”

“Even better. I never liked my aunt. You’re interrupting again.”

“Sorry.”

“You’re interrupting an apology. From me.”

“It’s the shock.”

Teela chuckled.

“You don’t owe me an apology.”

“Not yet. But I will. You’ve proved yourself here. But you’re still a mortal. You’re still our mascot. I don’t think I can untangle that. I don’t—truth be known—want to.”

Kaylin relaxed into the pillow. She was surprised, because her throat tightened. She was, she realized, crying. But it was dark, and she was silent. Maybe Teela wouldn’t notice.

“What have I told you about crying?”

“It makes me look weak and pathetic.”

“Hasn’t changed.”

“I am weak and pathetic.”

“You don’t even understand what those words mean, kitling. You are, however, an idiot. But you’re my idiot, and I don’t intend to let go of you. Sedarias will keep court here for longer than your natural life. If I stay, you’ll age and you’ll die before we’re done. I’ll miss it all.”

“I hate mortality.”

“Not keen on it myself.”

The dragon hissed.

“Oh, shut up, you,” Teela told him.

* * * * *

Acknowledgments

My editor, Mary-Theresa Hussey, is a rock star. Seriously. The fact that this book is in your hands at all can be laid at her door. She has been patient, supportive, and encouraging. She has had to deal with me being Very Very VERY late—without strangling me. Which I probably deserve because when I’m late it throws a wrench into everyone else’s schedule.

My home team (Thomas, my two sons, my parents) had to deal with writer-mom-in-a-state-of-panic for way too many months, and as you can imagine, this was not pleasant for them. Also, the crew at the bookstore let me take time off (Chris Szego and Ben Freiman), while Leah Bobet covered shifts for me toward the book’s end.

My away team—my Australian alpha reader—read an awful lot on very, very short notice.