Valiant (21 page)

“You would come to New York?”

“Sure.” Val looked back at her slushy feet. “I have some school to finish. I got all your messages.” She could feel that her cheeks were hot and blamed the cold. “I was wondering if there was a way to send something back to you.”

“Do you mind birds?”

“No. The crow you sent was beautiful, although I don’t think he liked me.”

“I will have my next messenger await your response.”

Just a short time ago, she might have been that messenger. “Have you heard anything about Mabry? What is everyone saying?”

“Rumors from the Courts hold that Mabry was some kind of double agent, but each Court denies her. The exiles in the city know she was the poisoner—the Bright Court appears to be claiming that she was killing at the behest of the Night Court—but so far she has not been linked with Dave. Regrettably, I fear time will reveal his involvement.”

“And then?”

“We Folk are a fickle, capricious people. Whim will decide his fate, not some mortal idea of justice.”

“So are you going to return to the Bright Court? I mean, now that you know the truth about Tamson there’s no reason to stay exiled.”

Ravus shook his head. “There is nothing for me there. Silarial counts deaths too lightly.” He reached out a gloved hand and stilled her swing. “I would remain nearer you for what time there is.”

“Gone in one faerie sigh,” she quoted.

Leather-clad fingers brushed over her short hair, rested on her cheek. “I can hold my breath.”

I am abjectly grateful to have had the Nameless workshop of Philadelphia (Ann, Gail, Judith, Ricardo, Vicky, Ef, Greg) for getting me off to a great start, and the Massachusetts All-Stars (Ellen, Delia, Kelly, Gavin, Dora, Sarah) for getting me through the finish line. When I had no confidence in myself, their confidence in me was invaluable.

There were a lot of people who looked at this book at different stages and offered words of encouragement and advice. I thank you all, but I have to especially thank Phil, Angela, Jenni, and Elka for saying the exact right thing at the exact right time.

Thanks to my tireless editor, Kevin, and my inexhaustible agent, Barry, for believing that I could pull the rabbit out of the hat one more time (and for ignoring all the times I pulled out something entirely different).

Most of all I have to thank Steve, Josh, and Cassie for suffering through the endless writing and rewriting with me, and I have to thank Theo for suffering
me
through the endless writing and rewriting.