Do not cry. He doesn’t need your weeping. But as I gaze at Deven once more, his soul-fire feels wrong, like a flame trapped behind glass.
“I’m so sorry. I should have done more, gone back in the lake after you or made the others onshore search harder and longer.” My tears squeeze past my restraint. “I tried. I did.”
He rests his forehead against mine. “When I went through the gate, I thought . . . I thought I was dead. I thought all light was gone from existence, and I . . . I wanted it to be. But each night I could feel you dreaming of me, wishing for me. You kept me from fading away. I couldn’t have navigated through the shadows without you, Kali.”
I run my hand up and down his arm.
He’s alive. He’s here.
“We’ll find a way to bring you back,” I promise. “I’m just grateful you’re here now.”
Deven presses his cheek to mine. “Now that I know the path, I’ll come to you every night. Nothing will keep me away.”
Hunger for life that I have not felt since he was taken quivers inside me. I throw my arms around him, and his kisses sprinkle my forehead. I swear on every star in the heavens, I will find a way to descend into the depths of the Void and bring him home. But for this moment, and in this time, I rest against him and revel in the bliss of the midnight hour.
CHARACTER GLOSSARY
Kalinda: orphan turned first queen, a Burner Deven: general of the imperial army Prince Ashwin: heir to the Tarachand Empire Natesa: former imperial courtesan
Yatin: soldier, Deven’s best friend Brother Shaan: member of the Brotherhood Indah: southern Aquifier, Virtue Guard Pons: Galer, Virtue Guard
Brac: former rebel, Burner
Mathura: Deven’s and Brac’s mother, former imperial courtesan Admiral Rimba: Indah’s father, southern Aquifier Captain Loc: captain of the raiders Princess Gemi: heir to the Southern Isles, Trembler Datu Bulan: ruler of the Southern Isles Rohan: brother to Opal, Galer
Opal: sister to Rohan, Galer
Rajah Tarek: deceased ruler of the Tarachand Empire The Voider (aka the demon rajah, Udug): demon unleashed from the Void The demon Kur: ruler of the Void
Manas: general of the imperial army Priestess Mita: leader of the Samiya temple Jaya: Kalinda’s deceased best friend Healer Baka and Sister Hetal: sisters at the Samiya temple Tinley: daughter of Chief Naresh, Galer Chief Naresh: ruler of Paljor, Galer Shyla, Parisa, and Eshana: ranis
Asha: palace servant
Hastin: the bhuta warlord and leader of the rebels, Trembler Anjali: Hastin’s daughter, Galer
Indira: rebel, northern Aquifier
Edimmu, Lilu, and Asag: demon siblings to Udug Yasmin: Kalinda’s deceased mother
Kishan: Kalinda’s deceased father, Burner
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Sending praise and salutations to these fine individuals:
Jason Kirk, my commander in chief. Not an e-mail passes between us that I don’t utter appreciation for you as my editor. You’ve made my publishing journey a true joy.
Clarence Haynes, the depth of your insightfulness and soulful questions knows no bounds. Without you, this book would be a shell. As you often say, excelsior and peace.
Kim Cowser, Brittany Jackson, and Kristin King, for your cheerleading from afar and your buzz-building efforts. You’re my sister warrior street team.
My ever-supportive agent, Marlene Stringer. I fulfilled my vision for this world and story because of your unfailing support. Thank you for loving Kalinda.
Kate Coursey, we are bosom buddies for eternity. You’re never getting rid of me.
Fellow sister warriors: Veeda Bybee, Kathryn Purdie, Breeana Shields, Kate Watson, Tricia Levenseller, Charlie Holmberg, Caitlyn McFarland, Lauri Schoenfeld, Angie Cothran, Erin Summerill, Sierra Abrams, Brekke Felt, Shaila Patel, Leah Henderson, Jessie Farr, Catherine Dowse, Michal Cameron, Mikki Kells, and Wendy Jessen. You are all kindreds in my eyes.
Fellow warrior book lovers: Krysti Meyer, Sarah Cleverley, Beth Edwards, Benjamin Alderson, Jaime Arnold, Gabrielle Saunders, and Rachel Piper.
Michael Bacera, for picking up the phone and answering my weird questions.
Jessica Springer, for cheering me on. Got that book written yet? (A promise is a promise.)
My parents, Debby and Keith, for teaching me how to dream big and for cheering me on as I do. Eve and Chris, for your sensitivity for all things cultural. Sarah and Stacey, for GIF texts and political rants.
Joseph, Julian, Danielle, and Ryan, for tolerating a year of go, go, go. You are the most amazing kids. You must be. Otherwise I would still be drafting.
John, my best friend and sweetheart. You step into my shoes and never complain when I ask for five more minutes to finish the sentence I’m on. Someday that may be true . . .
My readers, for your e-mails, tweets, and instant messages. Your kind words bring me joy. And to every other reader who took time out of their busy life to read my words. You’re pretty awesome.
Lastly, but most importantly, my father in heaven. Three whispered words on a night when I felt hopelessly lost gave me direction for years to come. Thank you for the inspiration and fortitude to see this through.