“Kara. We gotta go. What am I supposed to do?” Aly asked, but his voice was far away. So was the kid’s.
She knew why she’d been sent here. Why everything felt so familiar.
Kara looked up to the palace. She remembered the two little girls, thick black braids down their backs. Playing tag. Laughing and yelling, the younger girl trying to outrun the older one.
The pain in her head crescendoed, and just when Kara thought she’d pass out, it broke like a fever. There was a cool, calm clarity that she hadn’t felt in years. She blinked.
“What’s happening to you?” Aly’s voice said. “Kara, you’re scaring me. I don’t know what to do . . .”
She clutched the coin in her hand.
The girls were the princesses. This was their vacation home. They were sisters.
And the older one? Josselyn Karatana Ta’an. That was her.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
TIFFANY Liao, the most exceptional editor, who held my hand and/or called me out at every step along the way; I need you always. Jess Harriton, you godsend, for the smartest margin comments a girl could ask for. Ben Schrank, for taking a chance—thank you. Razorbill, you’re incredible. Aurora Parlagreco for a cover beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you to Amanda Mustafic and all the amazing people on the Penguin sales, marketing, and publicity teams who worked on this book.
Lauren Oliver, for your expertise and tough love. Thank you for finding the story when I couldn’t. Kamilla Benko and Alexa Wejko, my respective fantasy and sci-fi queens, I don’t know how I lived a day before meeting you. Tara Sonin, for helping me remember the pure sweetness of fandom. Adam Silvera, who tirelessly advocates for me and so many others. Angela Velez, for your insight and fierce expectations. And to the rest of the Inkwell and Paper Lantern Lit teams: Stephen Barbara, Lexa Hillyer, and Diana Sousa, you are everything.
Beth Revis, Kiersten White, Kami Garcia—your support is immense. Thanks for your time and love.
My Macmillan family—Erin Stein, Nicole Otto, Natalie Sousa, Ellen Duda, and Ashley Woodfolk—for letting me read, edit, and chat endlessly about great books.
Dr. Christopher Gutiérrez, for your incomprehensible scientific genius. Kristina Pérez, for your incredibly dexterous mind. Pam Gruber and Mike Braff: your kind words saved me in the darkest of times while writing my umpteenth draft. Luis Martínez, you knew I had a book in me long before I did. To my honorary sister Marie Martínez, for your early read and your honest thoughts. And to Alana, for your boundless heart.
To my Ate, obviously. Jasy, for being the best person I know. Kuya, whose initial love of sci-fi sparked my own. Ellie, for being so open and kind and constantly amused. Juan and Julian, for making me laugh and bringing my sister so much joy. The boys, Mason and Logan, for your sense of humor and your strong sense of self. Dad, for your infinite patience as I crash landed through life—I love you. Mom, whose soul is spread across these thousand skies—I know you’re giving me the side eye because this book is weird and maybe doesn’t make sense. I miss you.
And finally to Kyle and your big, beautiful brain—this book wouldn’t exist without you.