A Curse of Gold
Page 29
As that thought slips through me, I pause in the sand, closing my eyes and inhaling a deep, heartening breath as the ocean laps at my feet. When I exhale and open my eyes again, several pegasi fly overhead and far out over the waves, dipping and diving after each other. I watch their mesmerizing path for a few moments, but even their ethereal forms can’t keep my gaze from slipping to scan the horizon for tall white sails, though I know Hettie won’t be back this soon. If at all.
She and Rhat left for his home on the Polliosaian Islands, and I’d understood her need to get away. Even though everyone praised her for her actions saving Lagonia, she needs time. She’s fully admitted how her father’s death affected her and has finally begun to grieve. And she can do that better away from the castle and the memories it holds, so I’d sent her on her way with my blessing and with instructions to take all the time she needs. Because nothing is more important than for her to heal, and once she does, she can figure out what path she wants to take going forward. And I’ll be there to support her, wherever that path leads.
One familiar shape does appear on the horizon, though, eliciting a smile from me and doing a small part to fill the hole in my heart Hettie’s absence brings with it.
Grax sticks his head out of the water and swims toward me as he does every morning since we lost Triton—since I’ve been unable to find a way to reach him.
I pick up a piece of driftwood and lob it as far out as I can into the waves.
Grax swims eagerly after the stick, snatching it from the waves and flopping back through the water toward me.
But once Grax gets to the beach, he stops, his head jerking back toward the waves. He drops the stick, his tail pounding side to side. He looks to the horizon.
I’ve never seen him act like this. “What’s wrong, Grax?”
He looks back at me and then far into the distance behind him, whimpering. He splashes around, sending waves farther up the beach. He starts to swim away, but then turns back and lumbers out of the water, leaning forward to bop me with his snout. I pet his nose, and he rests his head against me for a moment.
Then he darts off into the waves, racing toward the horizon at breakneck speed. I don’t know what it means, but as I turn back to the palace, to where Royce will be waiting for me, hope swells in me.
The waves kick up a seashell in Grax’s wake, just like the ones I always used to find when I walked the shore with my mother. I smile and slip the seashell into my pocket. Then, I head back up the beach to start another day as the golden princess—and future queen—of Lagonia.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I try not to let a day go by without thanking God for all the blessings in my life, and this book is one of those—along with you, my dear reader, and so many people who made the book possible.
As always, thank you to my loving and supportive family: my parents, Katie, Danny, Pat, Michael S., John, Maggie, Michael K., James, and Mittens. You have been there every step of the way, and I love you more than words can say. Thank you for letting me dream my dreams and helping me make them a reality.
Also, thank you to my extended family who support me and spread the word about my books—especially my aunt Patti Nietch and aunt Mary Alice Farrell. Your support does not go unnoticed. And thanks to all those family members near and far who’ve come out to support me at my launch parties, especially John and Cecilia Peirce and Margie Palm-Bakner and Kathy Palm Latsha.
To my friends: thank you for being a listening ear and a sounding board . . . and for getting me out of my house when I’ve spent days on end writing or editing. Your smiling faces and jokes are a bright point in my life. Oh, and thanks to those among you who watch incredibly awesome shark movies with me . . . because all shark movies are awesome movies. Also, a special shout out to Joe Geisinger and Jazmine Patterson for being my keto buddies.
To my agent, Christa Heschke: thanks for being with me every step of the way and for fighting for me and this story. It wouldn’t be here without you. Also, thank you to Daniele Hunter for your continued help! You are rock star agents!
To my editors Hannah Van Vels and Jacque Alberta: this book would not be what it is without your guidance and help! Thank you for believing in the story and in me.
To everyone at Blink: this book wouldn’t be out in the world without you. Thank you for being such big supporters of my work.
Once again thanks to Eileen Bos, who created absolutely stunning book sculptures for A Touch of Gold and Tiger Queen. You bring my books to life in such a unique way, and I am blessed to have found you!!! Everyone should go check out Enchanted Couture by Eileen Bos on Facebook.
To all those who prayed for me, especially Christina, Elizabeth Hunter, and my CRHP sisters!
To those who were there day in and day out as my continual “wind beneath my wings”: you’ve kept me flying for another book, and you’re an amazing team that I look forward to being a part of: Ashley Zurcher, Laura Goldsberry, Jennifer Goldsmith, Clint Lahnen, Brennan Ward, and Tara Trubela. (As always, please pay special attention to my use of the Oxford comma. Remember to use it wherever you go.) Also to Paul Chen and Melisa Duffy for your help and support.
To amazing fellow authors who blurbed my book for me—Brenda Drake, Sarah Glenn Marsh, Savannah J. Goins, and Michele Israel Harper. I am so honored.
I couldn’t write these acknowledgments without also giving a shout out to a few Facebook groups who have been great supporters of my work: The Book Democracy, Page Turners, TBR and Beyond, YA Fantasy Addicts, and Words & Whimsy Book Club. Also to those in NERDFIGHTERIA and in Old Lady Status! Thanks for your support!
To my teachers at Peter Panda Preschool, St. Pius X, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, Indiana University, and Butler University: thanks for teaching me and inspiring me!
To my street team: thank you for all you’ve done and for joining me on this journey.
To my 9Round workout friends and trainers, especially John (J-Mac): thank you for helping me take out all my frustrations through kickboxing and for listening to me babble about sharks.
To some of my most devoted fans, Kira, Jordan Edwards, and Valerie Pelchat. Thanks for your continued support!
To everyone who liked my author page, shared my blog, pre-ordered the book, or helped in some other way: you have no idea how much I appreciate it and how much you helped me achieve this dream.
A special thank you to several people who really helped me along the way in so many different ways: Michael and Nancy Uslan, Sandi Patel, Kathy Lowry, Lynn Ratkey, Valerie Scherrer, Jodi Clark, and Julie Timke.
To those shows and musicians who kept me going during those long nights of editing: Taylor Swift, Sara Bareilles, and Hailee Steinfeld, I listened to your songs on repeat more times than I could even count. Thanks for creating great music that continues to inspire me. And thanks to Law & Order. You make for great background viewing while I’m writing and editing.
Finally, to you, my readers: thank you for going on another adventure with me. You always inspire me to write more—and to write better—with every fan email you send or kind review that you leave. I couldn’t do this without all of you. Stay golden!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Annie Sullivan grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. She received her Masters degree in creative writing from Butler University. She loves fairy tales, everything Jane Austen, and traveling. Her wanderlust has taken her to every continent, where she’s walked on the Great Wall of China, found four-leaf clovers in Ireland, waddled with penguins in Antarctica, and cage dived with great white sharks in South Africa. You can follow her adventures on Twitter (@annsulliva) or on her blog: anniesullivanauthor.com.
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