All That Glows (37 page)

The ring inside is jade and silver filigree. I gaze into the band, studying how its sterling curls over a base of minty, sea green. Deep in the fullness of my soul, I know Richard is right. No matter when that final end comes, we are forever.

“It reminded me of your eyes,” he says after a moment.

“It’s beautiful!” It truly is. Somewhere in the world a jeweler sleeps well, knowing his masterpiece has found a home. “It’s enough. You’re enough.”

Richard closes the last few inches between us and kisses me. I bask in the taste of him—purely him. No panic, no worry. Just Richard. His sun spices and sea salt. The unyielding muscles of his arms under my palm. The warmth and love of his breath on my face.

His lips against mine are passionate, yet not frantic. There’s no fear of discovery, no rogue magic behind the intimate brush of skin. It’s simply us together: a sea of red hair swirling with his lion’s mane. Milky skin on gold, freckles dancing everywhere. The night bathed with hushed whispers and secret smiles as we become closer to one.

In a brief break of passion, I catch sight of the stars and their luminance. They are few, scattered at this hour, twinkling and dancing to music those of us on earth can’t hear. I think of Breena. Of all the others who’ve slipped up into the heavens. One day, in a few short decades, I’ll join them.

Richard’s fingers tighten around mine, tugging my thoughts back down to the clock tower. I smile and kiss him again. Big Ben chimes the hour, shaking the stones beneath our feet. The time is here and now. It is ours.

Acknowledgments

T
here are many, many people who helped this story bloom into a novel. Those who were there at its birth: my sister-in-law, Cara, who oh-so-innocently gave me an encyclopedia of faeries for Christmas; my dear friends, Helen MacMillan and Ferrin Gersbach, who read chapter 2 in its short-story form and demanded more.

Many more loved it through all of its awkward growth spurts: my amazing critique partner, Kate Armstrong, who rescued the second draft from a jerky prince and moist kisses; my college professor, Trish Ward, who answered my small mountain of emails asking for Old English translations; my agent, Alyssa Henkin, who dug this manuscript from the bottom of the slush and took a chance on it; my editor, Alyson Day, who took the diamond I’d already pulled from the rough and polished it even more; Wendy Higgins, who sustained me through revisions with lots of advice and digital chocolate.

There are also many, many people who helped me grow from a writer into an author. Those who were there at my birth: my mom and dad, who taught me the power of faith and chasing my dreams, and who didn’t freak out when I chose to spend their money on a creative writing degree.

Many more loved me through all of my awkward growth spurts: my writing teachers—Rene Miles, Marjory Wentworth, and Bret Lott—who showed me the strength of words and how to wield them; my friends and family all over the world, who challenge me to new heights every day; my brothers, Jacob and Adam, who accompanied me on imaginary adventures and let me kill them off with sword-sticks in the backyard; my husband, David, who goes on real-life adventures with me. Who shares my soul-tie.

And over it all: God, the giver of stories and life, who has blessed me with so much of both. Soli Deo Gloria.

About the Author

RYAN GRAUDIN
has been a case study for wanderlust ever since her first trip to London. She lives with her husband in Charleston, South Carolina, and is always searching for the next adventure. Visit her online at ryangraudin.blogspot.com or on Twitter @ryangraudin.

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Copyright

HarperTeen is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

All That Glows. Copyright © 2014 by Ryan Graudin. 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 hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

is available.

ISBN 978-0-06-218741-3 (pbk.)