Several ladies gasped and looked toward Diana, who had undoubtedly still been proclaiming herself the future princess of the imaginary Verena. In the end though, it was Blythe that all eyes sought out, including her father’s. Elijah had gone pale as a ghost, and in that moment, Blythe wanted nothing more than to cross the floor and pluck Aris’s eyeballs from his skull. Then she’d shove them back into their sockets just so she could pluck them again.
She didn’t though, as a better, more vicious plan had entered her mind, refusing to let her shy away from his challenge. It was a decision that would warrant a discussion she really didn’t want to have with her father, but there was no way Blythe could allow Aris to win the war he’d waged.
She lifted her own flute of champagne and threw on her brightest smile as she twirled around the crowd. “You two are an inspiration to us all!” Someone ought to have given her an award for the joy she managed to slip into her own voice. “Let us toast to your brilliant future, and to your many years ahead. I hope that His Highness and I will soon be as happy.” She tipped the flute back among polite clapping, swallowing the drink in a single swig.
Blythe could have sworn she heard Death’s laughter in the rustling trees, though she didn’t glance back to confirm it. Instead, she tossed her hair, nearly laughing aloud when Aris caught sight of her father, the smug grin sinking from his lips as Elijah brushed past Blythe, heading for the prince himself. Even a deity was no match for a father scorned, and as Aris braced himself, Blythe offered her condolences with a sweet wave.
If this man believed that he would be her ruin, she would show him just how wrong he was. There was nothing in this world that would make Blythe happier than spending the rest of her life making Prince Aris Dryden regret his very existence.
Again the rustle of laughter sounded, and this time Blythe saw Death’s shadows ensnare Signa as he whispered, “And now the show begins.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing a book may be a solitary endeavor, but the act of putting one out into the world requires a village. Fortunately, I get to work with the best village imaginable.
Thank you to the fantastic team at Hachette Book Group for giving these books the perfect home at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. A special shout out to:
Deirdre Jones, for being the loveliest editor and the best partner I could have asked for to help shepherd this series into the world. I’m very lucky to get to work with such a fabulous mind!
Shivani Annirood, for your publicity prowess and helping get as many eyes on these books as possible.
Jenny Kimura, for your stunning designs and for making every edition of this book absolutely breathtaking.
Robin Cruise, Chandra Wohleber, and Logan Hill, for scouring for every typo and weird line that made no sense to ensure that the book reads as smoothly as possible.
Stefanie Hoffman, Emilie Polster, Savannah Kennelly, Christie Michel, Victoria Stapleton, Shawn Foster, Danielle Cantarella, Sasha Illingworth, Jessica Levine, Alvina Ling, Megan Tingley, Jackie Engel, Marisa Finkelstein, and Virginia Lawther. You all have my endless gratitude for the things you have done for this series. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful and supportive team. I feel very fortunate to be working with you.
Across the pond at Hodderscape, thank you to Molly Powell, for your editorial eye and giving this series such a brilliant home in the UK.
Kate Keehan, Sophie Judge, Callie Robertson, and Matthew Everett, for all of your support and work with this book.
Lydia Blagden, for the most stunning UK cover design I could ever have asked for. I get goose bumps every time I look at it.
Ellie Wheeldon, for creating an audiobook I could not possibly be happier with.
Kristin Atherton, for bringing the characters to life with your incredible voice and acting. You are the perfect audiobook narrator for this project, and have captured this story and its characters beautifully.
All my thanks to the incredible team at Park & Fine Literary and Media:
Peter Knapp, for being my absolute dream agent. Thank you, as always, for being the most amazing advocate and business partner. I continue to be beyond thrilled to get to work with you and this absolute rock-star team.
Emily Sweet and Andrea Mai, for such amazing support of both me and this series.
Kathryn Toolan, for making my day every time you send me an email. Thank you so much for being phenomenal and getting this series into the hands of readers all across the globe.
Stuti Telidevara, for so much help in keeping everything on track and being so supportive.
At APA, thank you to Debbie Deuble-Hill for endlessly pushing to ensure that this series gets the most perfect on-screen home and for introducing me to my new favorite place to get a cannoli in LA.
Elena Masci and Teagan White, thank you for the loveliest covers I have ever seen in both the US and UK. You both truly outdid yourselves for Foxglove, and I couldn’t be more in love with your spectacular art.
To my Round Table friends, for putting up with my many schemes and being the best support system in this truly wild industry. I am very grateful to have you. A special shout-out to Lady Lancelot herself, Rachel Griffin. May our publishers continue to have us on the same publishing schedule forevermore, otherwise I fear we may perish.
Bri Renae, for being one of the very first readers, and for loving Death more than anyone.
Josh, for always being supportive, even when I randomly turn into a zombie gremlin with a spontaneous need to travel somewhere or hole myself away in a dungeon.
Mom and Dad, for a lifetime of support and believing I’m way cooler and more impressive than I am, and for letting everyone else know it.
The most incredible street team, for making the process of bringing this series into the world so much more enjoyable than I ever imagined it could be. I am so lucky and grateful to have met such an amazing and supportive group.
Haley Marshall, because of course this book is dedicated to you. Thank you for over a decade of friendship, laughter, and for always being the first person to read and let me know that things (usually) are not as dogshit as I think they are.
God, for getting me here.
And finally, to every reader who has made it this far. Thank you for every kind message, review, and for every bit of cosplay, fanart, tattoos, or amazing crafts you have shared for this series. You all are so ridiculously talented and just plain incredible, and I’m so happy to have you as readers. Thank you for loving this book as much as I do. It’s because of all your support that the next page is possible.