Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles) (33 page)

Epilogue

The Time is Near

Nearly all of the pieces of the staff were in the Otherworld now. She could feel it.

The time was drawing near.

The girl would assemble the staff, the small one would wield it, and the silly queen would be overthrown.

No longer would she need to rely on the sacrifice for nourishment. No longer would she be kept hungry.

Very soon, she would be free.

All she had to do was wait.

THE END

Author’s Note

One of the things I enjoy about writing steampunk is the ability to move historical things back and forth, manipulating events, places, and history to suit my story. For example, Los Angeles didn’t have an art museum in 1901; then again, they didn’t have airships at all. In any case, robbing an art museum—even if you have magic—is probably not a very good idea.

Likewise, I’m not entirely sure there were “ladies’ nights” such as the one Noli and company enjoyed at Mathias’ Place, but it certainly sounds fun. Stag parties have been around in some way, shape, or form for some time, and this, of course, gave me one more way to torture V. Since I was torturing him, it seemed only fair to harass Vix and Noli with a bridal shower. Many wellborn girls of that era had no idea what happened on their wedding night, and the advice they’d get from their mothers, if they got any at all, would be vague at best, like what was given to Noli.

Mintonette was actually an early term for volleyball, although in the Otherworld they play it using no hands, just magic. I don’t think there’s a portal to Faerie in Central Park, but if you find one, please let me know.

—Suzanne Lazear

Acknowledgments

It takes a lot of people to make a book. I’d like to thank my awesome editor, who gave Noli a chance, and the Flux team who made her shine. My agent. The usual suspects, especially the Apocalypsies, the Class of 2k12, LARA, the Steamed Lolitas, and my ever-epic Airship Squadron.

Hugs and cupcakes to Rachel, Jenn, Julie, Harmony, Reina, Jenny, Susan, Robin, Sarah, and everyone else who helped me with this story.

I’d also like to thank all of you, because without readers there would be no books. Your tweets, emails, and messages mean a lot to me.
~launches cupcake cannon~

Writing can be very solitary, and I’m quite grateful to Twitter, which not only cheered me on and gave me distractions when I needed it but has provided me with more crazy ideas than you will ever know. If you tweet it, it just might end up in a book. (Lauren is probably regretting inventing Missy Sassafras and her perfect scones right now.)

I also couldn’t have done this without my husband and my daughter, who cheer me on and are patient when I’m on deadline. Last but not least, I’d like to thank my parents for buying me books and encouraging me to stick with my dreams.

Photo by John Lazear

About the Author

Suzanne Lazear (Los Angeles, CA) hopes to bring hats back into fashion. She’s also fond of swords, cupcakes, and fairy tales. She’s a regular blogger at
Steamed
, a group steampunk blog.
Fragile Destiny
is her third novel.

To learn more about the world of the Aether Chronicles, please go to www.aetherchronicles.com or visit the author at www.suzannelazear.com.