The Impostor Queen (45 page)

“I do.” About this, there's no doubt, but somehow it only makes this time more fragile, a treasure I'm not supposed to have.

His lips are cool and mine are hot. I gasp as he cups the back of my head and pulls me in. It's the delicious rub of ice and fire, hard and soft. His scruff scrapes my face, and I lunge onto my tiptoes. I want to look in the mirror tomorrow and see my own swollen lips, the raw pinkness of my cheeks and chin. I want to know this was real, more than the memory of his hard-muscled body against mine, more than the recollection of his handsome face, more than the echo of his voice in my head.

His magic fills my hollow chest, roaring and fierce, pure, icy power. But his hands are almost warm as they caress my flushed skin. His silky hair tickles my cheeks and brow as he draws back, kissing the corner of my mouth. “Stars, if we don't stop, I won't be able to leave,” he says between breaths. His forehead touches mine, and we close our eyes, holding on with all our strength.

“It doesn't matter if we stop,” I say, my throat tight. “I already can't let you go.”

He kisses me again, this time slow and deep, his fingers sliding under the neck of my gown to stroke my bare shoulder. This is so unfair. Every single thing about it feels right and perfect and good. I want it to last forever.

But we're fated by stars, our lives mapped and foretold. I can't forget that, and I know Oskar hasn't either when he pulls away once again to kiss my forehead, his lips against my brow as he says, “I know it would be a terrible scandal if I were found here with you, but what I wouldn't give to sleep by your side again.”

A tear slides from the corner of my eye, and he swipes it away with his thumb. “I miss those nights so much it hurts.”

His smile is sad. “Perhaps someday, when this is over.”

My stomach feels as hollow as my chest. “Perhaps someday.” Right now it feels better to pretend.

I turn toward the Motherlake, and Oskar wraps his arms around me, drawing me into the shelter of his cloak. I lean my head back against his chest and look up at the moon, treasuring this collection of minutes, savoring each as if it's the last. Because it might be.

Our future rushes toward us like a storm on the Motherlake, and our enemies are powerful.

Kauko is out there, perhaps leading two dozen rogue priests and apprentices. He has the cuff of Astia. He also has the Fire Suurin—along with hundreds of years of blood-fueled cunning.

And the Soturi, hungry for our wealth, eager to dominate, they're out there too.

But so is
she
. I'm only a shadow compared to her. When we find her, I'll be her Astia. Together, we'll be perfect balance and infinite power.

Together, we'll save the Kupari.

So much gratitude goes to the team at Simon & Schuster for taking my story and turning it into a beautiful book. To Ruta Rimas, my editor—thank you for your careful eye, endless enthusiasm, tireless advocacy, and the occasional clever and clarifying stick-figure drawing. Thanks also to Justin Chanda and Eunice Kim for support at every level, to Debra Sfetsios-Conover for designing yet another powerful cover for me. And thank you to Leo Hartas for creating the stunning map of Kupari.

As always, I am grateful to my agent, Kathleen Ortiz, for being a true partner in this business. Thanks also to the rest of the New Leaf team, including Danielle Barthelle, Joanna Volpe, Jaida Temperly, Jess Dallow, and Dave Caccavo, for amazing auxiliary support.

I owe many hugs to Virginia Boecker and Lydia Kang for reading early versions of this manuscript and giving me the encouragement I needed to keep working on it.

Thanks to the CCBS team—it is a pleasure and a privilege to work with all of you. Special gratitude goes to Catherine Allen, who supplies coffee and wisdom and laughter, and to Paul and Liz, for being Paul and Liz.

My family has been a source of unending support, and without them, it would have been so much more difficult to face the various storms of the past year. Mom and Dad, Cathryn and Robin, Alma and Asher, you each inspire me in different ways. I love you.

And to my readers, thank you for making this work so worthwhile. It's a privilege to share my stories with you.

ALSO BY SARAH FINE

Of Shadows and Obsession,

an e–short story prequel to
Of Metal and Wishes

Of Metal and Wishes

Of Dreams and Rust

MARGARET K. McELDERRY BOOKS

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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Text copyright © 2016 by Sarah Fine

Jacket photographs of faces copyright © 2016 by Michael David Adams

Jacket retouching by David Field

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ARGARET
K. M
C
E
LDERRY
B
OOKS
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Book design by Debra Sfetsios-Conover.

The text for this book is set in Goudy Oldstyle Std.

CIP data is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 978-1-4814-4190-2 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-4814-4192-6 (eBook)