The Beauty of Darkness (64 page)
Read The Beauty of Darkness Online
Authors: Mary E. Pearson
There was more shuffling in the dark hall behind him, then Orrin and Tavish walked in with wide grins plastered across their faces. Each of them held a crate filled with melons.
“I grew them myself,” Rafe said. “Mostly.”
My mind tumbled.
Melons?
“You are a man of many talents, King Jaxon.”
Creases deepened around his eyes. “And you, Queen Jezelia, are a woman of surprising strengths.”
I didn't move.
I wasn't sure I was breathing.
He reached up and caressed my cheek.
“I know hundreds of miles separate us. I know you have your endless duties here and I have mine in Dalbreck. But we've done the impossible, Lia. If we can find a way to end centuries of animosity between the kingdoms ⦠surely ⦠we can find a way for us.”
He bent over, and his lips met mine, gentle, tender, and I trembled against their touch. I tasted the wind, sweet melons, a thousand dreams, and hope.
We parted and looked at each other, a better ending at our fingertips.
A way for us.
Impossible.
But that hadn't stopped us before.
And I reached up and brought his mouth back to mine.
THE E
N
D
Â
The journey's end.
What began as a loose idea about the things that last bloomed into a world I never could have imagined with my first step. It became a journey as far-reaching as the Cam Lanteux, and so many have gone down this crazy road with me. Just as Lia had an army behind her, so did I, and without them, these books wouldn't exist. I am indebted.
Let me begin with the unstoppable force that is my publisher, Macmillan/Henry Holt. You are, simply put, brilliant and infinitely creative. Thank you to Jean Feiwel, Laura Godwin, Elizabeth Fithian, Angus Killick, Jon Yaged, Brielle Benton, Morgan Dubin, Allison Verost, Caitlin Sweeney, Kallam McKay, Claire Taylor, Kathryn Little, Mariel Dawson, Emily Petrick, Lucy Del Priore, Katie Halata, Jennifer Healey, John Nora, Ana Deboo, Rachel Murray, and the army of you who work behind the scenes. Thank you for believing in this series and getting it into readers' hands.
Let's just say it right here and now. Rich Deas is a cover god. I may have stopped breathing when I saw this last book cover. And the inside is just as beautiful. Anna Booth did absolutely wondrous things with the design, making me want to hug every page. I am stunned with gratitude to both of them.
My editor, Kate Farrell, as always provided sharp-eyed insights, questions that made me think, unflagging support, and friendship. Over the course of these three books plus a novella, we have wrestled, brainstormed, conspired, laughed, and
created
together. She is one in a million. I am, and will always be, so very grateful to her.
I am incredibly thankful to the librarians, booksellers, tweeters, booktubers, bloggers, and every reader who spread the word to one or many. I loved hearing your thoughts, theories, and hopes for these characters. Your awesome enthusiasm fueled me. (Yes, Stacee, I know. More kissing.) I truly felt we were on this journey together.
Thank you to Deb Shapiro, Peter Ryan, and the Stimola Literary Studio team for your creativity and keeping all that extra “author stuff” on a straight course.
From the very first page of the Remnant Chronicles we see a world where story sustains its inhabitants, and so I salute my fellow writers. It is not true there is no new story under the sun. You prove there is every day, with the new worlds and the new perspectives you create. Thank you for taking me on your journeys too. Story, like a hungry dragon, is one of those things that lasts, and maybe all that protects us from being eaten.
Special thanks to YA writers Marlene Perez, Melissa Wyatt, Alyson Noël, Marie Rutkoski, Robin LaFevers, and Jodi Meadows for support and advice. From manuscript critiques to virtual hugs and cookies, craft chats, cheerleading, and commiserations about the trials of writing a trilogy, you gave me much needed perspective. Many thanks to Stephanie Bodeen for fantasizing about goat cheese and other foods with me and challenging me to include an unlikely foodâbacon-wrapped wieniesâin the midst of a medieval world. The outpost foodie, Colonel Bodeen, was happy to oblige. Thank you to Jessica Butler and Karen Beiswenger for on-the-spot brainstorming, beta reads, and your wild musings about the Remnant world. You kept my brain spinning. I also want to thank Jill Rubalcaba, who offered advice on my first book and many thereafter. Her words of long ago when I was beginning the Jenna Fox bookâ
you can do this
âbecame my daily mantra to chase away doubt and push me to the finish line.
My family is the best, always my foundation: Karen, Ben, Jess, Dan, Ava, Emily, and sweet baby Leah, you're the balance, the smiles, the true joys of my life.
My husband, Dennis, was nothing short of heroic in helping me finish this last book. He was truly a warrior who shielded me, carried me, fed me, massaged my shoulders, encouraged me, and protected me from falling into an exhausted coma. I could not love him more.
Finally, I lift a glass (a fine Morrighese vintage) to Rosemary Stimola, who has been my agent and friend for fifteen years. She is my Gandalf, my Yoda, my Dihara, a woman of uncommon strengths and wisdom. Without her, there would be no Remnant Chronicles. Thank you, Rosemary. You're the real deal.
To all,
paviamma.
Â
Mary E. Pearson
is the author of many novels for teens, including
The Kiss of Deception
,
The Heart of Betrayal
, and the acclaimed Jenna Fox Chronicles. She writes full-time from her home in Carlsbad, California.
remnantchronicles.com
. Or sign up for email updates
here
.
Â
Thank you for buying this
Henry Holt and Company ebook.
Â
To receive special offers, bonus content,
and info on new releases and other great reads,
sign up for our newsletters.
Â
Or visit us online at
us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup
Â
For email updates on the author, click
here
.
Â
CONTENTS
Â
Copyright © 2016 by Mary E. Pearson
Map copyright © 2016 by Keith Thompson
Henry Holt and Company, LLC
Publishers since 1866
Henry Holt® is a registered trademark of Henry Holt and Company, LLC.
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10010
All rights reserved.
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Names: Pearson, Mary (Mary E.), author.
Title: The beauty of darkness / Mary E. Pearson.
Description: First Edition. | New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2016. | Series: The remnant chronicles; 3 | Summary: Princess Lia and her love, Rafe, have escaped Venda and the path before them is winding and dangerous.
Identifiers: LCCN 2015049900 (print)Â |Â LCCN 2016019792 (ebook)Â |Â ISBN 9780805099256 (hardback)Â |Â ISBN 9781627796521 (ebook)
Subjects: | CYAC: Fantasy. | PrincessesâFiction. | SurvivalâFiction. | LoveâFiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy & Magic. | JUVENILE FICTION / Love & Romance.
Classification: LCC PZ7.P32316 Be 2016 (print)Â |Â LCC PZ7.P32316 (ebook)Â |Â DDC [Fic]âdc23
LC record available at
https://lccn.loc.gov/2015049900
Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by e-mail at
[email protected]
.
eISBN 9781627796521
First hardcover edition 2016
eBook edition August 2016