“A bunch of aides from Rtul and Kaan just set up a game of darts in the overflow hall,” Gairad said. “I won my round. Go in and fight for Thea.”

“Gairad,” Jainan said reprovingly, but his heart wasn’t in it. Kiem could feel the way he half turned his head—not in a request for permission, or to check what Kiem was doing, but as an invitation.

Kiem grinned. “All right,” he said. “Let’s go in there, and I’ll watch you win.”

“I’m not going to win, ” Jainan said. “I have done it on Thea, and I just think I could outperform some of the more inebriated guests—”

Kiem turned to sneak in one last kiss, extraneous clan members be damned.

“You’ll be the best,” he said.

“You don’t know that,” Jainan said.

His eyes reflected the light from the hall; behind him, beyond the void, the stars burned in enduring points; far beyond them, a telescope could have seen the maelstrom of the link, and a million more stars beyond that; and this tiny station spinning around a tiny jeweled planet like the fulcrum of the universe. “I do,”

Kiem said. “You’ll see.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Some of you have already read a version of this story. To those of you who have encouraged or worked on it: I can’t say thank you enough.

But while they’ve given me a whole page for this, special thanks go to: Those who read the first drafts, particularly the very kind people who left comments on early snippets or on AO3, or recommended it on Tumblr, Twitter, blogs, or to a friend. You are all part of the reason it got here. Thank you so much.

Emily Tesh, who beta’d the heck out of this over years from the first conversation to the final edits, you’re the best.

Tamara Kawar, my agent, who was an early champion of Kiem and Jainan’s story, and whose endless enthusiasm, kindness, and keen eye for edits has made this book what it is.

Ali Fisher, editor extraordinaire, for immeasurable improvements to the story as a whole and for gentle editorial hints such as “have you considered putting all the many world-building things you’ve just told me about … in the actual book?”

A. K. Larkwood, Sophia Kalman, Ariella Bouskila, Megan, and Maz for continuing encouragement, jokes, and good opinions. I don’t know how I managed to join a writers’ group made up of these unfailingly smart and funny people but I’m extremely glad it exists. Thank you also to the other authors who kindly took time to read the manuscript and offer advice, and to the Serpents for world-building help and early comments.

My family, who have supported my writing over the years, championed the book, and fed me at Christmas when I was having an editing crisis. Particularly to Mum’s heroic efforts in reading it twice!