Furyborn

by Claire Legrand

  “I don’t care about that.” He slid his hands into her hair, and the careful caress made her shiver. “I care about nothing else but you.”

  She moved into him, clutching his shirt to pull him closer. The heat of him beneath her palms cleared her tired mind, sharpened the aching edges of her body. “Is there another room nearby?”

  His thumbs touched her cheeks, reverent and feather-soft. But his eyes blazed. “Mine is just down the hall—”

  “Ah! There you are.”

  Eliana jumped back as Zahra emerged from the rafters overhead.

  Simon hissed out a curse and glared up at the ceiling. “Wraith, can you not enter and exit rooms through the doors, like everyone else does?”

  “What would that matter, since you wouldn’t be able to see me even if I did?” Zahra floated down to sit beside Eliana. “Anyway, my way is so much more fun.”

  Simon stormed off, dragging a hand through his hair.

  Eliana tore her eyes away from him with no small effort, heat blooming in her cheeks. “Zahra. It’s good to see you.”

  Zahra raised an eyebrow, her inkblot mouth curving. “Is it, my queen?”

  “Of course it is.” She brushed her fingers through Zahra’s wrist. “I’m grateful for your help out there.”

  “I know you are,” replied Zahra, beaming. “I’ve brought a message for you from Prince Malik. He’s coming up with his fathers shortly, to thank you for what you did and to begin discussing…what comes next.”

  Zahra’s eyes flickered to Simon.

  “And what is that?” Eliana followed the wraith’s gaze to where Simon stood half in shadow, watching the fire. “What comes next?”

  Remy sat up, a blanket clutched around his shoulders and his cheek pink from sleep. “We fight him,” he said simply. “We fight the Emperor.” He looked up at Simon. “Right?”

  Simon’s mouth quirked. “Something like that.”

  Eliana watched Remy smile with an ache in her heart. He looked so like Rozen. Same sharp little nose, same bright eyes. She would have to tell him—and soon:

  Our mother is dead, and I’m the one who killed her.

  She would lose him the moment the words left her lips.

  Remy saw her dismay before she could hide it. He left his blankets at once and squished himself on the bed beside her.

  “It’s all right, El,” he told her, taking her hand. “No matter what happens, no matter what they say, you’re still mine.”

  Eliana glared at Simon. “What did you tell him?”

  “Navi told me who you are,” said Remy, jutting out his chin. “She said I could handle it, and I can.”

  Eliana brushed a hand across his wild dark bangs. “Remy, this story of theirs… It could be nothing. It might not even be true.”

  “Think about it,” he said. “Your body could heal itself, and we never knew why. But it was because all that power was trapped sleeping inside you, and it didn’t have anything to do, so instead it fixed you up whenever it could. It makes perfect sense.”

  Simon chuckled. “An interesting way to describe it.”

  Triumphant, Remy grinned at her. “I knew you were special, El. I’ve always known that.”

  “God, Remy.” She rubbed her face. “Please stop—”

  “Let him speak if he wants to,” Simon said. “Especially since he’s right.”

  “But if he’s right, I’m what, exactly?” She threw up her hands. “A general? A freak?”

  “A savior,” Simon answered. “A symbol. A queen.”

  “But I don’t know how to do this!” Her voice was turning desperate. Good. She felt desperate. “How to fight the Emperor? I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

  Or if I even want to try.

  Fighting to save friends and allies was one thing. But fighting for the world was not a task she appreciated having dropped in her lap.

  Zahra looked curiously at her. She knew the wraith could sense what she was thinking, and she didn’t care.

  “I’ll help you,” Simon said, still watching the fire. “You won’t be alone in this. Not for a moment.”

  She stiffened. “What if you fail me?”

  “I won’t.”

  “What if I fail?”

  “Then we’re doomed even more completely than we already were. But at least we’ll have tried, hmm?”

  “Tell me this, then,” Eliana said, “if you’re so confident: Will I be like her?”

  The fire painted Simon’s piercing blue gaze a flickering amber. “Like your mother?”

  Beside her, Remy flinched.

  “Like the Blood Queen,” Eliana said sharply.

  “Will you be like her? That’s a question I can’t answer. Only time can do so. And you.”

  “I was afraid you’d say that.”

  At the bitter note in her voice, Simon turned and watched her for a long moment. When he spoke again, it was gentle. “I’ll tell Malik to wait a few hours before your meeting with the kings. You can rest, talk with Remy. I’ll send for food.”

  She shook her head, cutting him off. She couldn’t talk to Remy, not yet. And hours of waiting would make the inevitable feel even worse than it already did.

  “Food, yes,” she said, “and lots of it. But after that…bring the kings to me.” Then she rose to her feet and told the first lie of her new life: “I’m ready to begin.”

  Elements in the Empirium Trilogy

  In Celdaria, Rielle’s kingdom, the Church is the official religious body. Citizens worship in seven elemental temples that stand in each Celdarian city. Temples range from simple altars in a single, small room to the elaborate, lavish temples of the capital city, me de la Terre. Similar religious institutions exist in nations around the world of Avitas. In Eliana’s time, most elemental temples have been destroyed by the Undying Empire, and few people still believe in the Old World stories about magic, the saints, and the Gate.

  Acknowledgments

  Fourteen years ago, I had an idea for a book and decided I wanted to be a writer.

  Fourteen years is a long time, and there are many people I need to thank for helping me realize my dream and helping Furyborn become the book it is today.

  First, to Diana Fox, who pulled my original Furyborn query from the slush pile, generously (and gently) explained to me just how much work I needed to do, and helped me get started in this industry. To you, Diana, I am forever grateful.

  To my editor, Annie Berger, who is an absolute delight to work with—patient, insightful, fearless. Thank you for going on this journey with me.

  To my agent, Victoria Marini: Your enthusiasm keeps me inspired; your sheer ferocity keeps me feeling safe and sane. I’m honored to call you my agent—and my friend.

  To the entire team at Sourcebooks Fire—including production editor Elizabeth Boyer, editorial manager Annette Pollert-Morgan, copy editor Diane Dannenfeldt, Alex Yeadon, Katy Lynch, Beth Oleniczak, Margaret Coffee, Sarah Kasman, Kate Prosswimmer, Heidi Weiland, Valerie Pierce, and Stephanie Graham—thank you all for embracing me and Furyborn with such passion and excitement.

  To Michelle McAvoy, Nicole Hower, and David Curtis, who made Furyborn look so beautiful, inside and out. Thank you.

  This book used to be about three times longer and took up two massive three-ring notebooks. There are actually people in my life who read that whole thing and still talk to me. Thank you to Erica Kaufman, Beth Keswani, Starr Hoffman, Ashley Cox, and Cheryl Cicero. More thanks to others who read this book in crucial bits and pieces over the years: Kait Nolan, Susan Bischoff, Justin Parente, Kendra Highley, Gabi Estes, Britney Cossey, and Amy Gideon.

  To Jonathan Thompson—the Lysol to my Monica, the Simon (Tam, not Randell) to my River, the Brit-Brit to my Cate: thank you for always believing in me.

  To my sweet stepsister, Ashley Mitchell, who put togethe
r the first official fantasy cast list for this book, years and years ago. I still have that Word document, and I will never stop loving it (or you!).

  To Brittany Cicero: You read the first draft of the first version of Furyborn, week after week, chapter by chapter, as I hovered over your shoulder, watching your face for every miniscule reaction. I love you. This book would not exist without you.

  To Michelle Schusterman: You read the first draft of this version of Furyborn as I wrote it, day after day, chapter by chapter. I could not have conquered this wild monster without you by my side. Thank you, forever.

  To Diya Mishra: I’m not sure anyone else in this world gets this book as completely as you do. You are my brilliant Slytherin witch-queen, my fellow shipper-in-crime, my soul-sister, and I’m so glad Winterspell brought us together.

  To Alison Cherry, whose marvelous brain made this book so much better than it was, and who has talked me down from too many anxious, self-doubting cliffs to count—thank you, friend, for being mine.

  To Lindsay Eagar (for constantly inspiring me, and for your wild, unstoppable heart), Heidi Schulz (for Marky Mark and for being one of the best humans I know), Lindsay Ribar (for that walk in the woods), Sarah Maas (for ballet and Alien(s) and your generous notes), Sara Raasch (for our wintry dual launch party and for your generous notes), Lauren Magaziner (for your love and support and writing dates), Isaiah Campbell (ditto!), Ally Watkins (for always checking in on me, and for your gentle heart), Katie Locke (for your notes, insight, writing dates, and encouragement), Mackenzi Lee (for your fierce friendship), and Kayla Olson (for Cheez-Its, for our spots at that perfect table, for always cheering me on)—thank you.

  More huge thanks and hugs from afar: Emma Trevayne, Kat Catmull, Stefan Bachmann, Megan McCafferty, Sammy Bina, Anna-Marie McLemore, Sarah Enni, Caitie Flum, Adam Silvera, Leigh Bardugo, Corey Ann Haydu, Nova Ren Suma, Anne Ursu, Phoebe North, Serena Lawless, Shveta Thakrar, Laini Taylor, Sarah Fine, Amie Kaufman, Brooks Sherman, Anica Rissi, Navah Wolfe, Cat Scully, Shannon Messenger, Nikki Loftin, CJ Redwine, Eugene Meyers, Ellen Wright, Jay Kristoff, Zoraida Cordova—you have all supported and inspired me in countless ways over the years, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for each and every one of you.

  To my family: Y’all have put up with a lot from me over the years. You read those giant three-ring binders. You listened to me fret about getting an agent. You never once stopped telling me I could achieve my dreams. Anna, Drew, Dad, Mom—I love all of you so, so much.

  Lastly, I’ll thank you, intrepid readers, for welcoming this book—and these characters I so love—into your hearts.

  Thank you for reading!

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