happy. Even if it’s with that blasted pirate. Go on all the adventures I wasn’t able to.
And come to think of it, I’m adding a third clause—I’m not breaking your curses so that you can get yourself killed, all right? I won’t be around to heal you anymore, so think before you dive in. And can you at least try to trust others more? I know it’s hard, but you’ve got an incredible crew. I would know.
Now get out there and go see your kingdom. I can only pray that, one day, we’ll see each other again.
Until then, happy sailing.
F
Pain grips me tight, cleaving my lungs and gutting through my chest. My tears fall freely, so many I can’t see straight, though I can’t say why they come.
I rack my memory, but try as I might, I don’t recognize who could have written this letter. Even so, there’s something familiar about it. Something that causes me to clutch it tight to my chest, careful not to let my tears ruin the ink.
“Amora?”
I startle at Bastian’s voice, straightening my spine. Perhaps it’s nothing more than this past year catching up with me—why else would I be crying for someone I do not know? It must be a prank—a strange goodbye joke from Casem.
But I don’t toss the letter. Carefully, I fold it back and tuck it into my pocket for safekeeping, drawing a breath to steady myself. When I turn to Bastian, it’s not with tears, but with a smile.
Whoever this letter is from, if what they said is true then they gave me a gift. And for them, I’ll make the most of it.
“How about to Zudoh?” I ask.
Bastian tenses, and it’s a sharp and strange reminder that I can no longer tell what he’s feeling. But I don’t need to feel his soul; I can see it, now. Blazing and beautiful and bright as the stars. He clears his throat, trying so hard not to let tears come that I stand and take one of his hands in my own. I set my other beside his, fingers wrapping around the sea-slickened helm.
“To Zudoh,” he repeats, the stars in his eyes burning with pride.
“And to a thousand more adventures.”
The sea draws us into its waiting arms—just a girl and a pirate, ready to take our world by storm.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Everyone warned me that writing Book 2 was going to be hard, but I feel betrayed that no one told me writing the acknowledgments was even harder! Where do I even begin?
First, I’m grateful to God for helping me survive the Book 2 Curse, and for putting amazing people and an incredible team into my life. This business has been so much more challenging than I ever anticipated, but being surrounded by such great people makes it so much better.
Mom and Dad, I’ve already thanked you for your love and support, so for this book I’ll thank you for hand selling copies to strangers everywhere you go and embarrassing me. Please don’t read past chapter thirty-two, love you.
Josh, for not thinking I had total delusions of grandeur five years ago when I said that I was going to build a franchise like Patrick Rothfuss. Thank you for always listening and trying to make sense of the wild world of publishing with me, even when it very rarely makes any sense.
Tomi, I can’t imagine this process without you in it. Thank you for the calls, the late nights, the KBBQ and Thai food, the YouTube videos, all of it. There’s no one else I’d rather build empires with. *Insert that unofficial Azula quote here.*
Shea, I’m writing this while in quarantine and I miss you so much! I am eternally grateful that we all just happened to live in the same city and bonded over Thai food, and that I get to have you as a friend.
Haley Marshall, I will never not be sorry for the amount of times I ask you to read things. Thank you for always being there—for your eyes, your ears, brain, heart, and most importantly, Peter pictures.
Kristin Dwyer, my younger twin, where to even begin. Thank you for being one of the most magnificent people I’ve ever met, for just being you, and for demanding I let K-Drama into my life. I have been forever changed (and also cry way more, thanks). I wonder if I should thank Lee Min-ho in these …
Rachel Griffin, this world is not pure enough for you. Thank you for just being a wonderful human