But as Ezril flexed her hand, the stone wall splintered, shearing off a sharpened edge. It sang through the air, changing tune only when it slid across the skin at Berras Emery’s throat. Skin that parted like a piece of summer fruit. His good hand went to the wound, and he opened his mouth to speak, but the stone blade had cut deep enough to silence as well as kill.
Berras Emery staggered, and then sank to his knees on the cell floor, as life ran between his fingers, pooling at his feet. It always surprised Ezril how much blood a body held. He toppled sideways, those storm-dark eyes clouding over as he did, and she watched as the pool spread like fingers, reaching toward her, then stepped back, careful to keep her white robes clear from the spreading crimson stain.
The ring’s warmth had turned to heat on her hand, a reminder that she was being called to serve. And so the Aven Essen turned her back on the dead man in the cell, and went upstairs to greet the king.
END OF BOOK ONE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
People ask me how it felt to write this book, and the truth is, it felt like coming home.
In A Conjuring of Light, when Lila makes the deal with Maris, that black eye in exchange for a favor, I saw a way to prop the door to this world open, to let myself back in. All I had to do was hold space for the stories I still wanted to tell.
It doesn’t sound that hard, holding space, but it is. It’s heavier than it looks.
We talk of how it takes a village (some days it feels more like a city), and in the case of Fragile Threads, it wasn’t simply a matter of spreading the work over so many hands, wasn’t simply about ensuring the success of this book when it finally hit shelves.
The truth is, telling a new story in this world means first keeping the world alive, helping it thrive in the space between the arcs of Shades and Threads, preserving the demand and ensuring the support over the intervening years.
It is an act of generosity, and care, to hold space in that way, and here are the people who’ve kept Shades of Magic shining bright, laid the way for Threads of Power, and made this entire ongoing journey of ours possible:
My agent, Holly Root. My editor, Miriam Weinberg. My PR rep, Kristin Dwyer. You three are the strings holding me together, with your unwavering faith and constant support. I could not ask for a better team of incredible humans and friends.
My parents, Kent and Linda Schwab. You put up with me, even when I’m six hundred pages into a first draft and so full of doubt and dread that it comes spilling out my mouth at every “how are you?”
My big sister, Jenna Maurice. You are my family in all ways but blood, a stellar tour partner, a great photographer, and an even better friend. Thank you for always looking for ways to help me take better care of myself.
My found family, Cat and Caro Clarke. You are cheerleaders, colleagues, partners in crime, dreamers, and damn good humans. You feed my heart.
My friends Jordan Bartlett, Zoraida Córdova, Dhonielle Clayton, Sarah Maria Griffin, Laura Stevens. You make sure I never feel alone on this long and winding journey.
My incredible team at Tor—Devi Pillai, Eileen Lawrence, Lucille Rettino, Sarah Reidy, Giselle Gonzalez, Emily Mlynek, Tessa Villanueva, Alex Cameron, Michelle Foytek, Rachel Taylor, Peter Lutjen, and more—the most extraordinary champions. You keep my books in print, and work tirelessly to ensure they have the greatest chance of finding readers, new and old.
My cover designer, Will Staehle. It is no small feat to design an iconic look for a series once. Only you could do it twice. Thank you for always making sure we stand out.
Eyden’s, the coffee shop in Edinburgh I call my office, my living room, my second home. Adonis, Eyden, Connor, and the rest of the lovely team. Thank you for always making sure Riley and I have a fresh pot of tea, a snack, and a corner in which to write.
Kip and Giada, the dazzling chefs of Via Aemelia. You’ve supplied me week in and week out with fresh pasta so after long days of writing, I could have a lovely home-cooked meal.
And last, and most, you.
My lovely readers.
Never doubt your importance or your power.
Your love for this world and its characters is what made it possible for me to reopen the door, and come home.