She lifted the thin silver chain holding the seedling ring and studied it — its significance far more compelling now. “I’ll think of you, just like I promised.”
“And I’ll think of you, just like I have every day,” Tamani said. “Good-bye, Laurel.”
He turned and walked back down the curving path and Laurel’s eyes followed his back. Each step he took seemed to take a piece of her heart with it. His green shirt was about to disappear behind a tree, and Laurel squeezed her eyes shut.
When she opened them, he was gone.
And it was as if the magic of the forest had left with him. The life that she could feel all around her — the magic that seeped through the gateway. The trees around her felt lifeless and empty without it.
“Wait,” she whispered. She took a step after him and her feet began to run. “No!” The cry ripped itself from her throat as she pushed branches out of her way. “Tamani, wait!” She rounded another corner and her eyes searched for him. “Tamani, please!” Her feet pressed onward, desperate for a glimpse of that deep-green shirt.
Then he was there, turned half toward her with a guarded expression etched across his face. She didn’t stop or even slow her step. When she reached him, she grabbed the front of his shirt in both fists, pulling him to her, pushing her mouth up into his. Heat swirled through her as she pulled his face closer, tighter. His arms wound around her and their bodies melded with a rightness she didn’t bother to question. Her lips filled with the sweetness of his mouth, and Tamani held her against him as if he could somehow pull her inside of him, make her part of him.
And for a moment, she did feel like part of him. As if their kiss bridged the gap between two worlds, even if only for that one brief, sparkling moment.
A sigh that held the weight of years shuddered out of Tamani as their faces drew apart. “Thank you,” Tamani whispered, almost too quiet to be heard.
“I…” Laurel thought of David, waiting back home for her return. Why, when she was with one, could she think only of the other? It wasn’t fair, to feel so torn all the time. Not to her or David or Tamani. She looked up, forcing herself to meet his eyes. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. But my parents are in danger. They need me, Tam.” Laurel felt a tear slide down her cheek. “I have to protect them.”
“I know. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“If it weren’t for them, I…”
She didn’t know the answer.
“The little faerie who gave you her ring, I don’t remember her, Tam. I don’t remember you. But something… some part of me does. Something inside me cares about you from back then.” She lowered her head. “And I care about you now.”
Tamani smiled a strange, melancholy smile. “Thank you for that glimmer of hope, however fleeting.”
“There’s always hope, Tamani.”
“There is now.”
She nodded, forced her fingers to release Tamani’s shirt, and turned back the way she had come.
AN AUTHOR IS ONLY ONE SMALL PART OF THE PROCESS involved in creating a book, and there are a lot of people who deserve my unending gratitude. To my incredible agent, Jodi Reamer; where in the world would I be without you? To Tara Weikum, my editor; I am convinced there is no one else who could have molded this book more perfectly than you. Huge thanks for Erica Sussman’s continued assistance; I appreciate you sticking with me. Thanks to Tara’s assistant, Jocelyn Davies, whose bright smile and helpfulness are so noticed and appreciated. The entire team at Harper has been beyond extraordinary. A special thanks to Melissa Dittmar, Liz Frew, Cristina Gilbert, Andrea Pappenheimer, and Dina Sherman, who all went out of their way to make me feel welcome. And to Laura Kaplan, for all the work she’s already done, and the mountain of work she’ll do in the future. Harper is truly the place to be.
Where would I be without old friends who have been with me from the beginning? Thanks to David McAfee, Pat Wood, Michelle Zink, and John Zakour, all of whom believed in me more than I ever believed in myself. Stephenie, you have opened so many doors for me; I will always be grateful. Thanks. And, of course, new friends — Sarah Rees Brennan, Saundra Mitchell, and Carrie Ryan, plus the rest of the incredible Debs at www.feastofawesome.com. You are all awesome like whoa. A huge thank-you to my incredible fiction instructor at LC — as well as fellow author — Claire Davis; the foundation of my writing skills I owe to you. A special shout-out to the Carson girls, Hannah, Emma, and Bethany, for being my betas. You guys are priceless!
Finally, to my amazing family, who also head up my fan club. Duane, Trina, Kara, Richard, Emily, Corbett — thanks. To my awesome kids, Audrey, Brennan, and Gideon, who are miraculously low maintenance, and even when they aren’t, are the sunshine of my life. And more than anyone else, thank you, Kenny. Without you, none of this would have been possible.
