The look Jaren sent her warmed the numbness that had overtaken her ever since she’d walked into the infirmary and found Tilda’s blood-soaked body.

Kiva would never recover from that moment, as long as she lived. But as the cold began to ease and she leaned back against the wagon, she called to mind the note she’d written, how she’d made sure it said everything her brother and sister needed to know. Even now, the code translated in her mind, repeating over and over:

Mother is dead.

I’m on my way to Vallenia.

It’s time to reclaim our kingdom.

And as Kiva combed her fingers through Tipp’s hair, the boy still fast asleep on her lap, she glanced up to meet Jaren’s blue-gold eyes once more, his gaze impossibly soft. She smiled shyly back, offering no indication as to who he was leading to his city . . . who he was welcoming into his home.

Kiva Meridan.

Born as Kiva Corentine.

The Rebel Queen may have perished at Zalindov, but her daughter was alive and well, and free of Zalindov after ten long years.

The Rebel Princess was finally ready to rise.

Acknowledgments

I don’t often use the word “marvel,” but that’s what I’ve been doing since the moment of The Prison Healer’s inception. I’ve marveled at how it’s come together, just as I’ve marveled over the people it has brought into my life.

To my agent, Danielle Burby, thank you for taking a risk based on a few sample pages I scrounged together on an airplane. You jumped straight into the deep end with me, adopting an author with so much baggage that I’m still surprised you didn’t run screaming for the hills. You are a wonder, and I’m forever grateful for your hard work, understanding, and general kickass-edness. Thanks also to Kristin Nelson for reading those rough early pages and knowing Danielle and I would be the perfect match—I’m so grateful that you’ve been on this adventure with us right from the very beginning.

To my wonderful editors, Emilia Rhodes and Zoe Walton—you guys are brilliant. Thank you for your clever insight and thoughtful guidance in transforming this book into something beyond what I could have ever imagined on my own. I’m so thrilled with how it evolved under your care, and more excited than ever for everything that’s coming next.

Big thanks to all the insanely talented people who worked on this manuscript editorially to shine it to perfection, in particular my copyeditor, Ana Deboo, and my proofreader, Ellen Fast—you’re both amazing! Thanks also to Jim Tierney for the stunning cover art (and the fantabulous code design), and to Francesca Baerald for the oh-my-gosh-I-can’t-stop-staring-at-them fantasy maps. *Heart eyes*

To the rest of the teams at HMH Teen (USA) and Penguin Random House (ANZ), thank you so much for embracing me and this series right from the very beginning. Squishy hugs and virtual cake to every single person who has had a hand in this process!