He kissed me. “Your family would be so mad.”

I shrugged. “Got to keep them on their toes. What about you?”

He tipped his head. “I’ve never really thought about it, but as long as I get you out of the deal, I don’t really care. Far as I’m concerned, we’ve said our vows.”

“Your vows consisted of ‘mine,’ if I remember correctly.”

“I like to keep it simple. ‘Mine’ pretty much sums up most vows.”

I went to argue, then stopped. “You’re right.”

“I’ll make sure to mark the momentous occasion down on the calendar,” he said. He peered at the double doors. “You think they’re ready for us?”

“Ready or not, here we come,” I said, grabbing his hand, both of us stepping through the doors like we did most things—together.

Acknowledgments

Every single time I write a book I think about keeping a list going from the start so that I can keep track of all the people who helped me, as I live in constant fear of leaving someone off the list. I get so much help and I’m so grateful, but my memory is a wonky thing made of strainers and duct tape. So if I forgot you, friend, I am truly sorry.

With that in mind, here are all of the people who helped make this story book-shaped.

Many thanks to Rose Lerner for edits that made the book eleventy million times better, and to Kim Runciman, the most patient copy editor on the planet. To Vlad Verano for formatting, design, and general book skull duggery, as well as to Jennifer Zemanek at Seedlings Design Studio for the most adorable cover ever.

Many thanks to the following writer friends for support, suggestions, and so forth: Christina Lauren, Olivia Waite, Molly Harper, Jeanette Battista, Chelsea Mueller, Kristen Simmons, Melissa Marr, Rachel Vincent, Jaye Wells, Ann Aguirre, Kendare Blake, Martha Brockenbrough, Marissa Meyer, Sajni Patel, Gwenda Bond and Ryfie Schafer.

I also want to thank my beta readers who answered various research-y questions: Alethea Allarey, Juliet Swann, Mel Barnes, Jasmine & Mariah from Movies, Shows & Books, as well as Megon Shore and Adam Aman. All mistakes are ultimately mine—they tried their best. Finally, thanks to my family, friends, booksellers, book reviewers, librarians, Team Bog Witch, and everyone on the internet that helps me keep my head up on the bad days. My deepest, squishiest, thanks. (I know, I made it weird.)

About the Author

Lish McBride is a writer, former bookseller, and amateur goblin living in the PNW. In the crime of the century, she tricked not one but two universities into giving her degrees, ending up with an MFA from the University of New Orleans. (They cannot have it back, either, as she has invoked the ancient law of “no backsies.”) When she is not writing or reading, she’s usually hanging out with her family and friends…and talking about writing or reading. Her ultimate dream is to have her own castle and one of the libraries with the wheely ladder. You can find her online in all of the usual places under the handle @lishmcbride, usually posting pictures of her dogs.