The Faerie Ring (35 page)

It still warmed her to think that Rieker had invited all of them, her whole “family,” to stay here in the town house with him as his guests. They were warm, safe, and clean, with plenty of food for the first time in years. Happiness such as she’d never known filled her until it was difficult to draw an even breath. She wouldn’t even think about the time when they would have to return to Charing Cross. She knew it was inevitable, but for now she was going to enjoy what they had.

Rieker sat in a chair across from her, a contented smile on his face. He looked more relaxed than she’d ever seen him.

“I need your help,” he said.

Tiki gazed inquiringly at him.

“I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I think it’s something my parents would be very pleased with.” He chuckled. “Though I’m quite sure my brothers would get a good laugh at the idea. I’ve made a few inquiries and looked into the prospect. I’ve just now gotten the go-ahead to proceed.”

“What is it?”

“I’m going to start a free school for orphans. A place where they can come to learn to read and write. To learn their numbers. I’m going to name the school after my brothers.” He cleared his throat. “The Thomas James Ragged School.”

“Oh, Rieker.” Tiki clapped her hands together. “I think that’s a marvelous idea. There are so many children in need, and what a wonderful tribute to your family.”

“We can feed the children lunch,” Rieker continued. “Make sure they get at least one good meal a day.” His expression softened. “But I need help. I’m going to need teachers. I was hoping that you would consider teaching at the Thomas James School.”

Before Tiki could answer, he continued, “I’ll need Shamus to help build the desks and chairs, and maybe Fiona could mend the children’s clothes or help stitch some new clothes for those in need. You could tutor Fiona on the side. Toots and Clara could be our first students.” He gave her a hopeful look. “What do you think?”

For a second, Tiki was speechless. Tears rushed to her eyes, and she blinked fast to hold them back. They would all be employed. Toots and Clara could learn their letters. They would be able to afford a flat of their own. Her family could stay together and be clean and well fed. Just as they’d always planned.

“Yes,” she whispered, the tears spilling over her lashes. “A thousand times, yes.”

*   *   *

I
T
was several hours later, and Tiki’s eyes drifted around the room. Her heart was so full, she thought she might burst. Shamus was asleep in an overstuffed chair next to the fire, his open mouth emitting small snores with every contented breath. Fiona and Toots ran past her toward the stairs, giggling as they chased each other, playing yet another game of hide-and-seek. Clara was tucked into bed after having eaten a hearty meal and was fast asleep, clutching her tattered but clean Doggie. She hadn’t coughed in three days.

Tiki’s eyes fell on Rieker, who sat across from her by the Christmas tree, reading
Oliver Twist.

“You know, Wills”—she smiled—“that book has a happy ending.”

Rieker looked up at her. His smoky eyes were clear and warm as he took in her lavender dress and long, dark curls. He returned her smile. “That’s the kind I like best.”

A
UTHOR’S
N
OTE

The places in
The Faerie Ring
are real, and if you find yourself in London, you can visit Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Park and walk by the Birdkeeper’s Cottage at the end of the lake. The Ring, dating from the 1600s, where Tiki goes to find Larkin, is still a favorite ride or walk within Hyde Park.

Charing Cross is an active station in the Underground, not far from Trafalgar Square. King’s Cross is the busiest tube station in all of London, though I wouldn’t recommend trying to pick any pockets.

Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Clara got help, is still helping children to this day and relies on charitable donations to survive. If you’d like more information, go here:
http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/
.

Finally, the World’s End pub is still open for business in Camden Town.

Thank you for reading
The Faerie Ring,
and should you see a shadow move out of the corner of your eye, pay attention—it may be more than what it seems.

K
IKI
H
AMILTON

May 19, 2010

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

My road to publication started with a dream that was shared with many people along the way. I’d like to offer heartfelt thanks to the following:

My brother, Dr. Thomas E. Martin (fondly known as Tommy), who has never wavered in his belief that I would become a published author. His belief fueled mine, and now look where we are!

Susan Chang, senior editor at Tor Books—not only for her willingness to take a chance on a debut author, but also for her love of Tiki, Rieker, and Clara and their story of the faerie ring. Our work together became a true collaboration, and the book you read today is much richer through her thoughtful comments and brilliant sense of story.

Seth Lerner, for creating the breathtaking and mesmerizing jacket for
The Faerie Ring.
I am so grateful.

Mark and Carly, not just for being my beta readers, but for their patience and understanding as my computer became a permanent fixture on my lap and they both learned to fall asleep to the
click-click
of the keys.

Also thanks to Doby and Gramps, Judy, Larry, and Emily for their endless encouragement.

To my überagent, Kate Schafer Testerman of kt literary, llc, for finding a home for Tiki.

I am also thankful to my many friends who have expressed interest in
The Faerie Ring
along the way, as well as the wonderful writers in my life with whom I share critiques, advice, opinions, laughter, tears, and sometimes secrets on this crazy journey to publication—without you guys I wouldn’t be here: Paula MacLaughlin, Nandini Bajpai, Uma Krishnaswami, Sarah Aronson, Annette Gulati, Ellen C. Oh, Carrie Harris, the members of Uma’s Alumni, WD2PR, the Enchanted Inkpot, the Elevensies, and the Class of 2k11. Finally, thank you to all my writing friends on the blueboards at
VerlaKay.com
who share, support, and celebrate the joy of being an author.

A
BOUT THE
A
UTHOR

Kiki Hamilton believes in faeries. And magic. Though she has a B.A. in business administration from Washington State University and has worked in a variety of management positions over the years, her first love is writing young adult stories of fantasy and adventure. Kiki lives near Seattle, Washington, where it only rains part of the time. She is a member of the Class of 2k11, the Elevensies, and the Enchanted Inkpot.

Visit Kiki’s website and blog at
www.kikihamilton.com
.

For more information about Tiki and the faerie ring, visit
www.thefaeriering.com
.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

THE FAERIE RING

Copyright © 2011 by Karen Hamilton

All rights reserved.

Map by Jon Lansberg

A Tor
^®
Teen eBook

Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

175 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10010

www.tor-forge.com

Tor
^®
is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

ISBN 978-0-7653-2722-2

First Edition: October 2011

eISBN 978-1-4299-8530-7

First Tor Teen eBook Edition: September 2011