“Shadow?” Flame cried. She pulled away from Elric and took a couple of tentative steps forward. Shadow huffed at her in greeting, and Flame fell to the floor, throwing her arms around Shadow’s neck.
The queen touched her daughter’s shoulder. Flame turned to her mother with a tear-stained face. “Thank you for saving her life.”
“Thank you for saving all of ours,” the queen answered. “My daughter.”
The great seal glowed as the rest of the remaining shards of the crystal heart lit with a fire within. They rose into the air, spinning and twirling around until they came together and fused in a bright flash of blue-white light. The cracks and fissures in the heart were gone, save a small missing chip close to the center.
Blue light shot through the center of the tree. The hall full of elves cheered their greatest invention as the crystal heart glowed bright. They mingled together with the fairies and watched as the light spread out over the Nightfell Wood. There was no more shield surrounding the fairy lands. No more barrier between them. It would take time to heal all the rifts between them, time and patience. Some hurts would always leave scars, but for the first time, peace was possible, and that gave Elric hope. He caught Lexi’s eye and smiled at her. Her cheeks turned a darker green and she looked away, then scooped up Mildred and went to join Wynn. He felt Zephyr blow past him with a hard knock to his shoulder, then felt the steady presence of Master Elk on his other side.
The queen walked over to Headmind Axis. “I understand there is a portal that needs repair,” she said with a grateful smile. “Thank you, for your aid.”
“It will take time to rebuild our city,” Axis responded. “But we will. And we will welcome the fairies once more.”
He bowed his head to her, and she returned his regal nod.
As dusk set in, the fairies poured into the courtyards of the palace. They watched the stars appear over the great tree for the first time in centuries. Bright pinpoints of light swirled in clouds of colorful dust shining in a clear and endless sky as the songs of the elves rose into the night. Streaks of light in gorgeous glowing greens and pinks flowed in waves of color through the night sky as the planets rose behind them.
Wynn came over holding Mildred. Elric reached out and stroked the hen.
“I like the stars,” she said. “They’re pretty.”
She craned her neck to see the magical sky, before turning to Elric. “And I love my family,” she said.
Elric watched the queen embrace Flame for the first time. Osmund gave him a proud nod.
Wynn stroked Mildred, then reached down to take Hob’s hand. “Maybe now we can play in the garden,” she said. “Or walk in the woods. Things are better now.”
“Thanks to you, Wynn.” He smiled at his little sister. She smiled back and nudged him with her elbow.
“And you too, big brother.”
Elric watched the moon rise for the first time over the fairy realm. Its soft light smiled on them. They were free. And it was beautiful. “You’re right, Wynn,” he said as he threw his arm across his sister’s steady shoulders. “Things are much better. We are together now.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The first person I have to thank for every single book I write is my brilliant and tireless critique partner and friend, Angie Fox. We have been working together for over ten years of ups, downs, and a few books that went sideways. I always deeply appreciate her guidance and support. I wouldn’t be a published author without her. She has the first eyes on every story and she makes me a better writer every day.
My editor is also deeply responsible for making me a better writer. Her insight with this book was especially helpful. There was a lot of work to be done to make this book shine, and Alex Arnold led me carefully and creatively to my best story. I appreciate all the work she does behind the scenes as an advocate and cheerleader. She is an amazing editor and it is an honor to work with her.
These books wouldn’t exist without the support of my agent, Laura Bradford. She has never failed to fight in my corner. I rely on her cool head and dry wit in times of stress. No matter how much things have changed over the years we have worked together, she has my deepest trust, gratitude, and appreciation for all she does.
I was also very happy to have the assistance of Rebecca Aronson and the rest of the staff at Katherine Tegen Books. I’m deeply honored to work for such a wonderful publisher with such an amazing group of people caring for every detail of the publishing process. Once again, Lisa Perrin created a gorgeous work of art for the cover. I could not be more thrilled and delighted with the result. To Sharon Roth, you did an amazing job organizing events surrounding the launch of these books, and I appreciate all the hard work you do bringing authors together in our community.
I would like to thank all those who are working in advocacy for disability representation in children’s literature. I have listened to your insights and voices, and appreciate all the things you choose to share about your experiences. For everyone who had a hand in shaping these two stories that are very dear to my heart, thank you so much. Thank you to my friends, my family, and to my beloved children for their joy and inspiration.
And finally, thank you very much to everyone who reads my books. I write for you. Thank you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo credit Katie Murphy
KRISTIN BAILEY, author of The Silver Gate, grew up in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley in California. She now lives in Ohio with her family. In the course of her adventures, she has worked as a zookeeper, balloon artist, and substitute teacher. Now she writes books for tweens and teens who enjoy magic and adventure as much as she does. Learn more at www.kristinbailey.com.
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BOOKS BY KRISTIN BAILEY
The Silver Gate
Into the Nightfell Wood
COPYRIGHT
Katherine Tegen Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
INTO THE NIGHTFELL WOOD. Copyright © 2018 by Kristin Welker. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
www.harpercollinschildrens.com
Cover art by Perrin
Cover design by Aurora Parlagreco
* * *
Digital Edition APRIL 2018 ISBN: 978-0-06-239862-8
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-239860-4
* * *
1819202122PC/LSCH10987654321
FIRST EDITION
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