*
Once I started eating full meals, my energy returned after another day.
Valek arrived that evening with my pack slung over his shoulder. “Found this stuffed in the corner of a wagon.” He put it on the bed. “And I’ve been meaning to give this to you.” He tossed me my switchblade.
I caught it in midair. “Thanks. I thought I’d lost it.” Turning it over in my hands, I examined the handle, running my finger over the silver symbols Janco had etched into it over eight years ago. The symbols meant “sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever.” Janco, Ari and Valek had certainly proved this true time after time. And I hoped they’d continue to do so. Which reminded me...
“I found out who sent the assassin after me,” I said to Valek.
He stilled. “Tell me.”
I detailed my encounter with Kynan, aka The Mosquito. “I still don’t know who attacked me in the woods.”
Valek’s scowl deepened. “Do you think this Bruns Jewelrose is taking advantage of your condition?”
“Probably. My demise could be used as an example. There are a number of Sitians who wish the Council had more power over magicians. The recent ruckus about Opal keeping control of who is given those magic detectors is just one of many skirmishes.”
“A visit to Bruns Jewelrose will have to wait until we’ve figured out how to get your magic back. I doubt the assassin will target you when you’re with me. And if he does...” Valek touched the hilt of his knife. “I will be more than happy to take care of him.”
“If I don’t reach him first.”
Valek laughed. “That’s my girl. I’d like to leave in the morning. Will you be strong enough to travel?”
“Yes.” I opened my pack and sorted through the contents. Ooh...clean clothes. “I need to bathe. Is there—”
“There’s a big tub downstairs.” Heat burned in Valek’s gaze. “I’ll be more than happy to assist you.”
“Mighty nice of you.”
“Not at all. I aim to please.”
I laughed. Unable to find my soap and hair wash, I dumped the rest of the stuff onto the bed. My money pouch jingled. Darts and vials of Curare and other potions rolled. And— I gasped.
“What’s wrong?” Valek asked.
Holding up a long tube filled with a white liquid, I calculated the last time... Shocked, I stared at Valek.
“What’s wrong? Tell me, love.” He moved closer.
“This is Moon potion.”
“And?”
“And I was supposed to take it after...but, but...it didn’t come. I was so busy...I didn’t even think...”
“What didn’t come? You’re not making sense.”
My hands shook. “I’m pregnant.”
*
Acknowledgments
This book would not have been written if not for my readers. I was quite happy with how Yelena and Valek’s story ended in Fire Study and I was excited to move on to new stories and characters. However, my very persistent readers kept asking me to write more. I’ve been inundated with emails, messages, comments on my Facebook page and heartfelt requests at my book signings since 2008. So a gigantic thanks to all of you for pushing me to write more. I had a blast getting reacquainted with Yelena, Valek and the other characters in the Study world!
While I was certain my loyal readers would understand the backstory and relationships in this book, I worried a new reader would be lost. However, thanks to some helpful feedback from Joelle Swift, I’m confident the story won’t confuse a newbie. Also a big thanks to Judi Fleming, who not only encourages me to write, but her expertise in horses and a zillion other things has been most useful in ensuring I get “it” right. And I can’t forget Natalie Bejin, who helped me by creating the most wonderful and organized spreadsheet of all the characters in the world of Ixia and Sitia. Thanks so much, Natalie!
I cannot write an acknowledgment without thanking my editor, Mary-Theresa Hussey, and agent, Robert Mecoy. Both have been vital in my career and I can’t thank you enough! I also want to thank all the amazing people at Harlequin. Your hard work behind the scenes to produce my books doesn’t go unnoticed and I brag about you to my writer friends all the time.
And no acknowledgments of mine are complete without a huge thank-you to my husband, son and daughter. You guys rock!