“And tomorrow,” he prompted.

“And so forth,” Mehr said.

In response he leaned down to meet her, their hands still twined. Mehr kissed her husband, the man she had chosen and the man who had chosen her in return.

Amun lifted her up, and Mehr laughed, twining her legs around his waist, utterly weightless with joy.

“Kiss me again,” she said, and he did. His lips were warm, sweeter than wine. He kissed her fiercely, joy and love pouring from every inch of him, filling her up.

“I thought you were courting me?” Amun asked, pulling back.

“I think you’re thoroughly courted,” she said.

“Do you?”

“I know so.”

Mehr touched a fingertip to his lower lip and watched the shiver that ran through him.

Amun. My heart.

There was training to do, Mehr thought distantly, and so much work to be done to keep the Amrithi alive. There were unknowable dangers ahead, and nightmares roaming free across the Empire. But whatever lay in the future, Amun would be by her side, steady and strong. Mehr couldn’t be afraid, knowing that.

“I love you, Amun,” she said softly.

“And I you.” He met her eyes. “You’re correct, of course. I’m thoroughly courted.” His face was full of light. It wore a look of pure wonder. “Do what you will.”

She cupped his face in her hands, leaned forward, and did just that.

The story continues in …

Realm of Ash

A novel of the Books of Ambha.

Keep reading for a sneak peek!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Acknowledgments

Writing may be solitary, but publishing is a wonderfully collaborative process. This book wouldn’t exist without the hard work of many people, and I am grateful to all of them. My first thanks must go to my agent, Laura Crockett, who took a chance on me and my book, and has been a marvelous, kind-hearted advocate for my work from day one. Thank you also to the whole fantastic team at Triada US, especially Uwe Stender and Brent Taylor.

Thank you to my editor, Sarah Guan, who made this a far better book than it would ever have been without her guidance. Thank you also to the rest of Orbit, particularly Tim Holman, Anne Clarke, Ellen Wright, Paola Crespo, Gleni Bartels, Lauren Panepinto, and Lisa Marie Pompilio. Huge thanks also go to the UK Orbit team, especially my lovely UK editor, Jenni Hill, and publicist, Nazia Khatun.

I am lucky to have a family who have always been supportive of my weird desire to write books. Special thanks must go to my parents: my mum and fearless champion, Anita Luthra Suri, and my dad, Nishant Suri, who passed away a month before I found an agent but always believed I would be a published author one day. This book is dedicated to him.