Mirage (32 page)

She smiled and touched his arm. “You’re right. We won in all the ways that are important.”

Tayan clomped over, her head wrap newly woven with both Shining Moon and Flame Heart colors. “I would speak to the herd,” she said.

Aluna and Tayan hadn’t healed the breach between them, but they’d begun the process. For now, it was enough. The others took their places around the fire and waited for their khan to speak.

“We have an old tradition of awarding honor names to those among our herds who distinguish themselves,” Tayan said. “And as khan of Flame Heart and khan-daughter of Shining Moon, I have decided to grant this rare honor to some of you tonight.”

Tayan turned first to Tal. “Your name has always been a dishonor, but one that reflected on us, not on you. From this moment forward, you are no longer Tal; you are Vachir.”

“Thunderbolt,” Dash whispered. “It suits her temperament.”

Tal —
Vachir
— whinnied and tried to prance in place. Her injury kept her from a more elaborate display, but she was clearly pleased. Aluna’s heart swelled.

Tayan turned to Hoku. “Hoku shall keep his name, but among us, shall also be known as Sun-strider, he who walks between worlds.”

Hoku’s mouth fell open. Aluna reached over and shut it for him. “You do, you know,” she said. “You’re a Kampii, an Aviar, an Equian, and practically an Upgrader. With your legs and your brain, you’ll always be able to go wherever you want.”

Hoku nodded, unable to speak.

“And you, Aluna,” Tayan said. “You have shown us the path of honor this day, and you saved both our herds and our desert from great dishonor and suffering. You shall also be known as Dawn-bringer, she who leads us to a new day.”

Aluna felt tears well in her eyes and was too exhausted to stop them from spilling down her cheeks.

“It’s perfect,” Hoku said.

“I’ll follow you anywhere,” Calli added.

Aluna looked at Dash. The bonfire crackled. She could feel the stars overhead, staring down on them from behind a veil of smoke.

“And where will you take us?” he asked softly.

She wiped the tears from her face and chose her words carefully. “It’s taken us a long time to find one another, but now we have. Together, we’re strong. Strong enough to fight, and strong enough to win.” They wanted her to lead, so she would. “We’re going to find Karl Strand.”

Christopher East and Stephanie Burgis supplied the chapter-by-chapter encouragement I needed to write this book, and as usual, I am in their debt. I also received fabulous critiques from Rae Carson, Deborah Coates, Sarah Prineas, Greg van Eekhout, and the writers at the Blue Heaven workshop. (C. C. Finlay didn’t just bring us together; he made us comrades-in-arms.)

Thanks to Joe Monti, who always knows when I need to talk to a friend instead of an agent.

I am grateful to my editor, Sarah Ketchersid, for making this book so much better than it was. Her gentle but brilliant suggestions helped me find my way so many times. The rest of the Candlewick team also has my thanks: Liz Zembruski, Tracy Miracle, Hannah Mahoney, Maggie Deslaurier, Andrea Tompa, Martha Dwyer, and the sales and marketing team. Thanks to Alexander Jansson for another gorgeous cover illustration, and to Kathryn Cunningham and Rachel Smith for turning it into a stunning book.

Thanks to my friends, family, and fellow writers who’ve supported me on this journey. If I’m doing my job right, you already know how much I treasure you.

www.candlewick.com