The Dream Thief (40 page)

Much, much later, Lia whispered,
“I don’t snore.”

And the thief angled his gaze
warm to hers, offering his lazy smile. “Aye, love, but if you did, I’d still
treasure every one.”

13 January, 1774

Gentle Sir and Madame,

Forgive my presumption in
addressing you. Enclosed please find a communication from your daughter the
Lady Amalia, currently an honored guest in my home. She writes to assure you of
her good health and happiness and that of her husband, Zane Langford.

I wish to inform you that they
will both be welcome here for as long as they may desire. You need not worry
about the serfs or any rumors that may have reached your shores. Our situation
is quite secure.

Perhaps one day we shall meet
joyfully in person. Until that day, I remain,

Your faithful servant,

The Princess Maricara of the
Zaharen

Of
Zaharen Yce

Of the
Drákon

EPILOGUE

I
f you were to close your eyes and
dream of heaven, what would you dream?

Angels
and golden scepters, perhaps. Halos and hallelujahs. Winged beings soaring,
singing amens to the pristine clouds.

When I close my eyes, I see
nearly the same thing. But there are no angels flying, and the clouds are not
white. They’re storm clouds, dark and violent and viscous. The creatures that
tear through them have wings of scales, not feathers.

They duck and turn through the
turbulent mists. They watch not the heavens but the earth, with brilliant
jeweled eyes. They do not search for angels. They scrape the skies and search
for glory.

There are so few of us left. Even
with the discovery of the English
drákon,
we number so few.

Draumr
is destroyed. The couple who
holds its ruins are on their way back to England. One is blessed, one is not.
Together they have conquered the myth, and I confess myself still amazed. But
I…I wait here. I quell the serfs and listen hard every night to the voices that
sweep to me atop the winds. Soon I’ll have to leave too.

My
brother is young and not quite as clever as I. But I think he will do.

The
future charges closer and closer, a rousing thunder in my sleep.

I hope
the English like black dragons.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

S
HANA
ABÉ
is
the award-winning author of nine novels, including
The Smoke Thief
. She
lives in the Denver area with five surly pet house rabbits, all rescued, and a
big goofy dog. Please, please support your local animal shelter, and spay or
neuter your pets.

Visit
her website at
www.shanaabe.com