The Sand Prince (49 page)
But she didn’t want to hear any more lies, at least not tonight, and so she let it alone.
S
o many people. So many patient, kind, thoughtful people who read this book (and reread and reread it) and helped make it better. I owe you all a drink!
My team at Booktrope - Jennifer who gave me my first ‘yes’, Jesse, Kellie—the Boss of Me, Greg Simanson who designed my beautiful cover, Sarah, and especially my editor Crimedog Carly!
My fellow Fictionistas, Cait, Daphne, Kenya, and Sami-Jo.
My first editor, Debra Ginsberg who pointed me in the right direction.
My early reader Nazila Fatah, who taught me how to unpack.
Mike and Tony, Vanda, Kitten, Jacques, Lynda, Barbara and Dennis, Mira, Jasper, and Sarah, who made sure I had pizza and bourbon.
From Sirius XM - My partner and sister Maggie, Mindy, Kenny, and Don
My Scones - Mark Says Hi, Dave Z, Jason S, Anabella, John, Chris, Quint, and Paul
Fabulous inspirations - JT Ellison, Tasha Alexander, Kristy Claiborne Graves, David Baldacci, Karen Kondazian, Katherine Neville, Zac Brewer, Alma Katsu, Leslie Rossman, Rosanne Romanello, Scott Allie, Aub Driver, and the gang at Dark Horse
Brothers and sisters - Michael Kennedy and Matthew Roberts, and the Roberts clan who lent me their couch at Lake Rosemont when I really needed to get my mind right.
Eryc, the angel on one shoulder, and Jaysen, the almost always nearly, perfectly, correct devil on the other.
Antigone Barton, it’s been a pleasure.
My husband Dyon, for everything.
"I
want to talk to Ilaan," Rhuun said again. The great hall was full of people, a shifting sea of greys, whites, and tans, pausing in their errands to turn and watch. He recognized many of them. None would meet his eye, but he could feel their gazes following him. At least Lelet was safe. He'd think about that later. Right now he spotted a familiar face, and gave a sigh of relief.
"Aelle. Thank Light and Wind." She stopped on her way to wherever she was going and looked him up and down, taking in his dusty human clothing and tied back hair. Her white silk tunic was freshly pressed, her hair tightly coiled and intricately woven with white beads, brilliant against the black gloss. He could see a filigree of new tattoos in black and gold peeking out from under the cuffs of her wide sleeves and reaching towards her fingers. She had lined her eyes with green and gold, which made her look older and mysterious. Her hand was lightly resting on Niico's arm. "Aelle, I have so much to tell you ...."
She tipped her pretty head forward and spat on the ground at his feet, then turned towards Yuenne. "Father, I will see you at dinner." She glanced up at Niico, who was looking studiously at his nails, and they continued down the corridor.
"Burned that bridge, as the humans say," murmured Yuenne.
K
im Alexander lives in Washington DC with a houseful of books, two cats, an angry fish, and a very patient husband. Find her online at
kimalexanderonline.com
, on Facebook at
Kim Alexander Author
, and on Twitter
@KimAlexander80
.