He laughed, pressing my hand between his. The feeling of his skin on mine never failed to set my heart stuttering and stomach swooping. I hoped it never would. While he refused to put his gloves back on, he still wore the rest of his dermasuit. I didn’t mind, for it was a good look on him. Anything, I’d decided, was a good look on him. Especially when he was smiling at me.
“Thank you,” he said. “For staying by my side.”
“Thank you for staying by mine. Now that you have me, you can’t get rid of me.”
“I hope that’s a promise.”
I grinned. “It is.”
He glanced back at the palace behind us, the dome illuminating the Concord like a second sun. “Are you sure about helping Queen Marguerite when she travels to Toria? It will remind you of what happened here.”
Something dark stirred within me, but I shoved it back down. I would keep the important part of my promise to Queen Marguerite—I would not dwell on the bloody crimes committed here. I would let those events belong to a girl who no longer existed. A girl who only cared about herself. The girl who belonged to Mackiel.
She was gone now.
I was a girl who cared for her family. Her friends. I was a girl who saw more than the Jetée, more than Toria. My eyes were open.
And I wasn’t alone. I never had been. I’d turned my back on my family to chase wealth, to search for things they couldn’t provide, things I thought I needed. But I was wrong. They’d provided everything I could have ever wanted. A life of warmth and love.
Looking at Varin, the word kept nudging in at the edges. Love. Love. Love. I loved this boy. And while he might not be there yet, I’d teach him how to love in return. He deserved it. As everyone does.
He let go of my hand. “Will you go home afterward?” he asked. He didn’t need to say the words. After HIDRA. I couldn’t believe the next time I saw my father, he’d be whole.
I knew it hurt Varin to talk about HIDRA, since it wasn’t something that could help him. But as he said, he had faith in a cure, and in the meantime, he would visit the Eonist Medical Facility to slow the deterioration of his vision. He could continue his art and capture the beautiful, if complicated, nation of Quadara.
“I hope so.” Uncertainty still flipped inside my belly when I thought about home.
He didn’t reply. I studied his profile and the downturn of his lips. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“What about us?”
“You’ll come with me, of course.”
“A failed messenger and a retired criminal?” he mused. “It sounds like the start of some terrible joke.”
“No.” I shook my head seriously. “It sounds like a beginning. You can be whoever you want in Toria. Do whatever you want. For as long as you want.”
His face grew serious. “I like the sound of that.”
“It’s a deal, then.” I held out my hand for him to shake. The start of many promises I would keep.
He swept my hand back into his and held it to his chest. “I knew there was more to this world. More than the life I was living in Eonia. But I never thought I could be a part of it. You taught me I could. How could I ever leave you? You restarted my heart. You brought me to life, Keralie Corrington.”
His words stole my breath away. I grinned through my unshed tears. “You made me realize I could change, that my past doesn’t dictate my future. You saved me from myself.”
He pressed his hot mouth to mine, sending a flare through my body. It was much better without a full body dermasuit between us—much more real.
When he released me, he was grinning widely. He’d never looked more beautiful.
“Here,” I said, pulling something out from my coat pocket. “I thought you might want this back.” It was the picture he’d drawn of me.
“You kept it?” he asked.
I nodded. “I wanted to have something of you with me. But I don’t need it anymore. I have you.”
He smoothed the piece of paper on his leg. “Thank you.”
I leaned over his arm while he traced the intricate lines of his drawing.
“I want to be this girl you captured,” I said. A girl of light and laughter. “I want to be worthy of your—” I wanted to say love, but it was too soon. “I want to be worthy of you.”
“Worthy of me?” He scoffed. “Keralie, I thought I was alone in this world. I never thought anyone would care about me”—he smiled—“the way I care about you.”
We kissed again.
When he pulled back, his gaze was focused on something behind me.
“They’re here,” he said.
A carriage pulled up at the House of Concord stairs, and a woman stepped into the snow. She glanced at the palace before her eyes settled on me. Her expression shattered into disbelief. As did my heart. She looked exactly as I remembered. And she was looking at me in the way I’d hoped, with love and forgiveness.
My mother.
She turned around and reached inside the carriage to help someone down.
The last time I’d seen him, he was covered in blood and bandages with a respirator wedged down his throat. I held my breath until he locked his eyes on mine.
When my father broke into a smile and opened his arms—ready to embrace me—my heart restitched inside my chest.
I was home.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I like to think that I’ve been preparing to be an author all my life. As a child, I was always imagining fictional worlds, usually with my cats as my begrudging accomplices. While this isn’t uncommon for kids, who thrive on untamed imagination, unruly magic and the unknown, we tend to grow out of these “childish fantasies.” I did not. This book you hold in your hands is my lifelong dream come true. But I wouldn’t be here without the following people.
To my amazing editor, Stacey Barney. Your wisdom, infectious laughter, and kind and supportive words made this already wonderful journey even more special. I’ve always wished for an editor who loved my book the way you do and I’m so lucky to have found you! Thank you!
I can never thank my fabulous agent, Hillary Jacobson, enough. You were my first “yes,” setting my book and life on a course I’d only ever imagined. Knowing you have my back is such a wonderful and reassuring feeling. Thank you, thank you!
I’m so grateful for Jennifer Klonsky, Courtney Gilfillian, Kate Meltzer, Katie Quinn, and the entire Penguin Teen team, you are the best bookish crew an author could hope for! Thank you to Theresa Evangelista and Katt Phatt for creating the most gorgeous cover I’ve ever seen. And thanks to Virginia Allyn for making my childhood dreams come true by creating the magical map of Quadara. And a special thanks to the indomitable Felicity Vallence. You are the best in the biz!
The writing process can be a lonely one, therefore I’m so appreciative to have Sabina Khan, Tomi Adeyemi, Adalyn Grace and Mel Howard to share the ups and downs with. Thank you for always listening with a kind and open heart.
To Amie Kaufman, thank you for all your invaluable advice and being such a wonderful friend. Also, thanks to Nicole Hayes, Jay Kristoff, Shivaun Plozza, all of Hillary’s Angels, Team Pusheen, EaF and The Wordsmiths for your ongoing support. Much love to the Literarians for their encouragement over the years. Raising my glass in your honor!
Hugs to the rest of my friends and family. I’m always taken aback by how excited you are about my book. It means the world! A special thanks to Jessica Ponte Thomas and Shannon Thomas for always being there for me.
To my Disney prince, Andrew Lejcak, thank you for putting up with all my book talk. I know it’s not something you understand completely, and because of that, it means even more that you let me waffle on and on and on . . . I love that I get to share this journey with you. And look, I called you a prince!
To Mum and Dad, you taught me that dreams don’t always come true like in the movies; it requires more than
wishing upon a star or a fairy godmother’s bibbity bobbity boo. From a young age, I was determined to work hard to achieve my dreams. It’s because of you that they’re now all coming true. I’m so lucky to be your daughter.
Many hugs and kisses to my furry “workmates,” Lilo and Mickey. Sitting at the computer all day and late into the night would’ve been lonely without you, although I could’ve done without you climbing all over the keyboard!
To Gary Rodney, my behavioral optometrist in Sydney. The years before I started your therapy were the hardest of my life, unable to read or write due to my poor vision. The words “thank you” are far too inconsequential for what you’ve done for me. You are my HIDRA.
I must also acknowledge and thank Walt Disney. Without you, I would not be the person I am today, and I would not believe in the power, magic and enchantment of storytelling.
Lastly, thank you! Even through the murder and mayhem, I hope Four Dead Queens has brought some wonder and joy into your life. Thank you for choosing my book!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Astrid Scholte's fascination with all things fantasy began at the impressionable age of one while on a family vacation to Disneyland. Her desire to be surrounded by all things magical led her to a career in animation and visual effects. She received Honors in BA (Film, Media and Theater) and a Bachelor of Digital Media from the University of NSW. She's spent the last 10 years working in visual effects production as both an artist and an artist manager. Career highlights include working on James Cameron's AVATAR, Steven Spielberg's THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN and HAPPY FEET 2 by George Miller.
She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her cats Lilo and Mickey. FOUR DEAD QUEENS is her debut novel.
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Four Dead Queens Page 34