Frozen Tides Page 37

  “That’s not what I said, not at all. I just wonder about your motive.”

  “Pure, unadulterated hatred for Prince Magnus and his evil family. That’s my motive. Cleo’s gone completely blind when it comes to him. Whatever I have to do to protect her, I’ll do it.”

  “Wonderful. We have a ship full of vengeance-seekers headed back with us.”

  “The more the merrier, I say.”

  Nic’s gaze slid beyond Jonas and toward the docks behind him. In an instant, all the blood appeared to drain from his face, leaving him as white as snow.

  “What’s wrong now?” Jonas glanced over his shoulder to see someone—a stranger—approaching their ship. “Let me guess. Another ghost from your past?”

  Nic stayed silent, his jaw gone slack.

  Jonas turned and looked again at the man, still twenty paces away from them and drawing closer, a tall Kraeshian with shoulder-length black hair tied at the nape of his neck. “Who is it, then?” he asked.

  “That,” Nic said, his voice raw and barely audible, “is Prince Ashur Cortas.”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I want to start off by thanking my readers. You guys don’t even know how amazing you are. Some of you do, I’m sure. But those who don’t? You. Are. Amazing. And I thank each and every one of you for coming on this journey with me, spreading the FK word, and growing more enthusiastic with every single book that comes out.

  Special shout-out to my online street team, the #RhodesRebels (special, special shout out to Lainey!), and the Kindred (which is what the small-but-mighty FK fandom is named), as well as everyone I’ve connected with on social media. I am so grateful for all of you!

  Much love and gratitude to my family and friends . . . and pets . . . Mom and Dad, Cindy and Mike, Bonnie, Eve, Tara, Elly, Nicki, Maureen, Julie, Laura, Liza, Megan, Sammy and Spike. Also sending love to Seth, Rachel, Maggie, and Jessica: PToT 4ever!

  A million thank-yous to my publishing family at Penguin, including the wonderful Ben Schrank, Casey McIntyre, and Vikki VanSickle.

  To Liz Tingue, my fab editor—you make me look like a far better writer than I am, with a much larger and more robust vocabulary. I like that. FYI, Liz flags things in my first drafts like “whatever, losers!” and suggests more appropriate language for a high fantasy. And I usually agree to these changes. Usually.

  To my kickass agent of more than a decade now, Jim McCarthy, just imagine a line of heart emojis **right here**. I so appreciate having you in my corner, and I look forward to many more years and many more books together!

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