“The Peace Lily cured you,” Kerrick said.

His mood during the past couple days had been positively buoyant. I’d never seen him this way before. “But why didn’t it help the thousands who suffered and died from the plague? Plus I was around all those Lilys by Tohon’s castle walls when I was sick. None of them had moved. Why now? Why me? No one has survived the plague. It isn’t possible.”

Kerrick considered. “You didn’t survive. I wasn’t imagining it. You had no heartbeat, no signs of life at all. The way you described the agony from the flower’s poison, it seems as if the Lily accelerated the plague inside you until you died.”

It had certainly felt that way. “Then how did I come back to life?”

He shrugged. “Don’t know. Don’t care. I consider it a gift.” He leaned close, kissed me and proceeded to unwrap his gift, distracting me from my churning thoughts.

Much later, as we sat around the fire, Kerrick handed me my things that I had given to him. “Looks like you’re going to have to deliver Noelle’s letter yourself.”

And I’d promised Estrid I would return—I’d return for Noelle regardless, but still. However, all the rest of those problems I’d been happy to leave behind remained. I thought my job was done after I’d healed Ryne. He was supposed to fix everything, returning the survivors’ lives to normal.

We had to find a way to stop Tohon and his army of living and dead soldiers. He had Sepp on his side now, which would make it harder. Jael tried to kill me and Kerrick. I’d injured her, so I was pretty sure she would be seeking revenge. Danny and Zila would need to learn how to be healers. The list went on.

At least I’d struck Tohon a major blow. He’d lost Ryne, Danny, Zila, a healer and his Death Lily patch. All because of me. Pride and a sense of accomplishment filled me until I remembered about the Peace Lily. More research into both the Death and Peace Lilys was needed. I felt I’d just scratched the surface of what these Lilys meant to the survival of our world. At least my pride remained.

As if sensing my thoughts, Kerrick pulled me close. “There’s still a long way to go to put things right.”

“I sense a but coming.”

“However…” He quirked a smile. “You promised Danny we were going to heal our world. We can’t do it without our healer.”

“One healer might not be enough for what needs to be done,” I said.

“Take it one task at a time. You’ve already checked off quite a number of them. Ryne.” He mentioned the impact my actions had on slowing down Tohon’s plans. “And you broke through the ice around my heart. Belen will be ecstatic. He’d thought it impossible. I did, too. And I won’t miss him calling me a cold heartless bastard about my behavior toward you.”

I laughed. “I don’t remember that last task on my to-do list. Do I get extra credit for it?”

“Most certainly. I plan to atone for all my boorish behavior.” He wrapped his arms around me and nuzzled my neck. “Starting now.”

*

Avry’s adventures continue in SCENT OF MAGIC, coming in 2013!

Acknowledgments

Novel number nine has a nice ring to it. Don’t you think? For the longest time, this book was either called the healer story, by my publisher/editor, or novel number nine by me. And yes, that’s why the mountain chain is called the Nine Mountains. I can also think of nine people who I need to thank for helping turn this idea I had into a story.

My daughter, Jenna, for asking every night, “What’s next?”

My agent, Bob Mecoy, for his help in sharpening the idea and selling it to MIRA.

My editor, Mary-Theresa Hussey, for her feedback and for the title of this and the next two books.

Assistant editor, Elizabeth Mazer, for all she does in getting the manuscript ready.

To my critique partner, Kim J. Howe, for all the comments and suggestions to improve this story.

My assistant, Becky Greenly, for helping with organizing the increasing number of reader emails and for getting the mail out so I have more time to write.

My niece and researcher, Amy Snyder, for finding cool little-known facts about the Black Death.

My husband, Rodney, for holding down the fort while I’m out and about promoting books and for finding those misplaced commas and gaps in logic.

My son, Luke, for learning how to juggle and inspiring the character Flea.

Thanks so much!

I also need to thank the following nine groups of people who also work hard on my books and who have supported me and my books.

The art department for, once again, creating the perfect cover.

The public relations, marketing and sales departments for continuing to get the word out about my books.

Those who worked on the copy edits and line edits.

The digital team for ensuring all my books are available as ebooks and audio books.

Dianne Moggy and Reka Rubin for coordinating and selling my foreign rights.

To my local community for all the support and kudos.

To Seton Hill University’s MFA program students and staff for the support, motivation and inspiration—every residency is a shot in the arm.

To my Book Commandos for their continuing loyalty and for recommending my books to everyone you meet.

To my extended family for the love and support as I continue to write books. Amazing, I know! And a shout-out to my father—who reads every book despite not being a reader and who tells everyone he knows about me whether they want to know or not. Thanks, Dad!

Thank you all!

ISBN: 9781459219021

Copyright © 2012 by Maria V. Snyder

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