Portia
Page 15
Tempest’s irises turn demon-bright. A low growl echoes from his chest. Everyone quiets, even the angelic choir. Tempest’s been teaching me all sorts of dragon stuff lately. That’s another trick I’ll have to add to the list.
“My people,” I continue. “You’ve touched my heart with your warm welcome. I can’t wait to lead with Tempest at my side. I hereby declare this Procession complete!”
The Furor all roar together. The sound is deafening and beautiful.
I close my eyes. A memory appears. I’m running down the marble staircase of the Ryder Mansion, worried about being late for my lecture. Back then, my life then was magic, Firmament, and family. The closest I’d had to a boyfriend was that drycleaner guy.
I shake my head in amazement.
As of today, my magic has changed from almost impossible to nearly all-powerful. My family includes a nation of dragons. And my love life? That’s the best change of all. I nuzzle into Tempest’s neck. His dragon scales feel warm and leathery. “The Procession’s over. Let’s go home.”
Tempest gently links his front claw with mine. My chest fills with warmth and love. “There, now,” says Tempest. “I’m home already.”
I remember the first time I saw him on that balcony, a few months and a thousand years ago. Part of me knew it then, too. Wherever Tempest is, that’s my heart’s home. Together, we fly off into the clouds.
Like Throne of Glass and Graceling?
Then you’ll love Cursed by Christina Bauer
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Like Twilight and Shiver?
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Like Divergent and X-Men?
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Like Serenity and Ender’s Game?
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Christina Bauer graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. An avowed girl geek, Christina loves creating immersive fantasy worlds with action, adventure, romance, and kick-ass female protagonists. As part of her work in Ink Monster, Christina has co-developed the ‘Heroine’s Journey,’ a blueprint for telling female myths inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and golden retriever Ruby.
For more information and updates about Aileen and her books, go to: http://inkmonster.net/cbauer
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Acknowledgements
You. Me. We.
That was my mantra when I was writing the Angelbound books. It all started when I got on this kick about team-style relationships where the ‘you’ and ‘me’ create something different. The ‘we.’ I started thinking about it a ton, and then my Little Nagging Voice got into the act.
“Hey,” said LNV. “What if we wrote books where the relationship conflict isn’t based on anyone having misunderstandings and such? Genuine partnerships only. We could come up with cool ways for them to team, like with battle moves.”
I decided that the LNV was onto something. The game was afoot.
In the first three Angelbound books—Angelbound, Scala, Armageddon—the hero and heroine fight as a team. No one fights the baddie solo. In Book 4, Maxon, I took a break and went back to a more traditional rescue set-up. That said, the big magilla was always, always Portia. I have been jonesing to use magic as a metaphor for two people coming together for ages. I hadn’t found any authors in my space who’d done that yet (not that they aren’t out there!) I’m an entrepreneur, and I love building stuff. I was so freaking excited, I couldn’t stand my bad self.
On a side note, there was another reason I did this. The stories we tell are important and I am a big fan of teamwork. Now, some of you may think I went too far in this story. Others, not far enough. All I can say is that I did my best to fight the good fight. Nuff said.
So, if I did my job right, you should have been caught up in the story and never noticed any of this new paradigm gobbledygook. But since this is the acknowledgments, I can speak my mind and say that Portia kicked my ass and called me a bitch. In bringing her story to life, I have strained every major relationship I have. All of which is a long way of saying that I have a lot of people to thank this time around. Buckle up, friends!
To begin with, I would like to thank my day job, aka the lovely people at software developer Zerto. My team’s unwavering interest and support mean a lot. Thank you, Mariah West, Christina Saint-Pierre, and Gil Levonai!
Next, I must suck up to the amazing folks at INscribe Digital, who move mountains and make it look easy. Kelly Peterson, Guillian Heltzer, Stephanie Gomes, Allison Davis, and Anne Kubek. You amaze me.
Time for the Ink Monsters! Candace, you got thrown in the deep end and didn’t give up. You’re my hero! And Aileen? No one edits like you, girlfriend. You’re a freaking prodigy. Now Lola, my dear Lola! I think the only person who slept less than me would be YOU! And yet your whip-fast mind always found ways to make things better. What a joy you are.
Can’t forget Kim Stern! You introduced me to Aileen and got the Ink Monster ball rolling. More important, you were a true friend to Matt, Max, and me when we needed it most. Love in AEO.
Best for last. Huge and heartfelt thanks to my husband and son. You supported me through everything from long nights to taping balloons all over the living room so I can block out a scene. None of this would be possible without you. Je t’aime.
And no list is truly complete until I thank whatever reader liked this book enough to actually finish the Acknowledgements. Hey you, awesome reader! You’re amazing. Thanks! Now like me on Facebook and we can send snarky messages to each other. Huzzah!