To the wonderful team at Balzer + Bray for allowing me the privilege to once again call this place my publishing home and for believing in this girl called Kate, armed with magic and a moonbelt: Alessandra Balzer, Donna Bray, Tiara Kittrell, Renée Cafiero, Caroline Sun, Bess Brasswell, and Tyler Breitfeller. And extra-special thanks to the magicians behind the gorgeous cover: art director Alison Donalty, designer David Curtis, and artist Santi Zoraidez. Thank you for making Kate and Corwin look so good.
As always, thanks to my agent, Suzie Townsend, my first and last champion. And to the rest of the New Leaf crew who helped give this story a place in the world: Sarah Stricker, Joanna Volpe, Kathleen Ortiz, Mia Roman, Veronica Grijalva, Pouya Shahbazian, and Jaida Temperly.
To my early readers and cheerleaders: Sarah Goldberg, Amanda and Jay Sharritt, Susan Dennard, Natalie D. Richards, Lorie Langdon, Liz Coley, Kristina McBride, Maria Pilar Albarran Ruiz, and Erin Rupert.
Extra-special thanks to my critique partner, Lori M. Lee. Thank you for riding out these publishing storms with me. And to Kristen Simmons—thanks for talking me down off ledges and up out of those pits of despair.
To my riding coach, Lori Miller, a true wilder at heart—thanks for the equine advice and guidance.
Thanks to the rest of my family not yet mentioned: Adam, Inara, Tanner, Betty, Phil, Debra, Krystal, and Vicki. And thanks to God, who makes all things possible.
And finally, thanks to you, dear reader. I hope you enjoyed the ride.