Elecia smirked. Both of them looked back to her expectantly. She turned for the door and began shrugging her cloak back on.
“I’m hungry. Maybe I’ll tell you what they are over lunch,” Elecia announced. The information was far too satisfying to give it all up at once.
There was a long silence. Elecia looked over from the ties on her cloak to see them frozen in place. Aldrik’s hand was still on Vhalla’s back, the other wrapped around hers as he helped her up. The Empress blinked at Elecia, total shock in her eyes.
“Elecia,” Aldrik finally forced on both of their behalves. “They?”
Elecia shook her head with a laugh. He was truly going to be in for trouble. She began to wonder what kind of father Aldrik would be. She thought she had a far better idea already of the mother before her, but Aldrik was an amusing mystery yet. Far removed from the man he once was, Elecia had faith that he would surprise them all.
“Good luck, both of you. You’ll need it for both of them.” Elecia glanced back to Vhalla’s swollen stomach.
She did not say it aloud, but she already looked forward to meeting the children of fire and wind.
A new fantasy epic from author Elise Kova Coming in January 2017
Her vengeance. His vision.
Ari lost everything she once loved when the Five Guilds’ resistance fell to the Dragon King. Now, she uses her unparalleled gift for clockwork machinery in tandem with notoriously unscrupulous morals to contribute to a thriving underground organ market. There isn’t a place on Loom that is secure from the engineer turned thief, and her talents are sold to the highest bidder as long as the job defies their Dragon oppressors.
Cvareh would do anything to see his sister usurp the Dragon King and sit on the throne. His family's house has endured the shame of being the lowest rung in the Dragons' society for far too long. The Alchemist Guild, down on Loom, may just hold the key to putting his kin in power, if Cvareh can get to them before the Dragon King's assassins.
When Ari stumbles upon a wounded Cvareh, she sees an opportunity to slaughter an enemy and make a profit off his corpse. But the Dragon sees an opportunity to navigate Loom with the best person to get him where he wants to go. He offers her the one thing Ari can’t refuse: A wish of her greatest desire, if she brings him to the Alchemists of Loom.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My dear reader—without you, this would be nothing. Every word I write now and forevermore is my love letter to you. Every key stroke is done with thanks that you let me take you on these journeys into fantastical worlds. Thank you for following me, for reading this tale, and, hopefully, for letting me take you on many more adventures in the future. I may not know your name, but that makes you no less precious to me.
Jeffkun—this book is for you. Thank you, my love, for letting me embark into the unknown. I can’t imagine anyone else by my side while I venture forward. I don’t tell you enough how I couldn’t have done this without you and your support. The most epic love story I could write is the one I pen every day spent at your side.
Merilliza Chan—you will always have a place in my heart as the first cover designer I worked with. You’re as beautiful a person inside as your art is outside. I wish you all the success in the world and every dream you have to be a reality.
Monica Wanat—thank you for dutifully looking over more than 500,000 of my words. I learned a lot in our time together and I’m very grateful you were willing to edit for a newbie author such as myself.
Nick—I could write an entire book on what you mean to me as a friend and it wouldn’t be enough. So I’ll settle for a sentence and the faith that you know how desperately I need our hour long phone calls to talk me off mental ledges and talk out all my wild story ideas.
Katie—every time we’re together, I just think, “How lucky we are to be alive right now.” (Yes, I just immortalized our Hamilton obsession and there’s nothing you can do about it) You remind me to have fun, to let go, to not be so obsessed on the future that I forget the present. Thank you for being the best friend a girl could ever ask for.
Mer—I love you sister. But you knew that already. You never let me forget what I’m capable of, you never let me give up, and you’re never afraid to tell me what I need to hear. Beyond that, you’re my “octurnal twin” and there’s no one else I’d rather be up until three A.M., eating cookie dough ice cream, and having Taylor Swift dance parties with.
Mom and Dad—you two are my biggest cheerleaders and largest supporters. Thank you for always being there to help me, for every bookmark you passed out, for every manuscript you’ve read. You both inspire me to be the best I can be both as an author and as a person. Every day, I consider myself lucky that you both are my parents.