The Lost Prince (38 page)

“I promise we’ll stay out of trouble,” Dean said. They shook on it.

Ronan put a hand on Dean’s shoulder and spoke softly in his ear. “Thought you said your lying days were done.”

Dean raised his right hand in a pledge. “On my honor as a gentleman,” he said with a wink. He turned to Waverly. “Are you ready?”

Waverly shivered with delight as she stepped on board the ship. “Let’s see. I haven’t packed a thing or planned a step. I’m not at all dressed to travel.… Yes. I’ve been ready all my life. I can’t believe this is really happening.”

“Neither can I.”

“Where are we going first?”

Dean’s imagination called up an ocean of possibilities. For the first time ever, he was free to explore every last one. “We’ll find out when we get there. It’s a big world. Let’s not keep it waiting.”

I
t has been a while since I have had the privilege of writing an acknowledgments page for a new novel. Three years, in fact. I have to admit, there were moments during that time when I wondered if I ever get to do it again. If you are reading this, know that I am more thankful than ever to be in this club of published authors. It is not something I take for granted. The feeling I get when I walk into a bookstore and find one of my books on a shelf remains as much a thrill to me today as it was the first time it happened. It has become something I need in my life, and I don’t get to that place alone. I have lots of help.

The first person I want to thank is you—for reading. For keeping me in this club. I hope you enjoyed Dean’s first adventure. There are more on the way.

I also want to thank Chris Richman for being the first person to believe in this story apart from myself, and for ultimately selling the book. Thanks are also owed to Greg Ferguson, who acquired the book for Egmont USA, and Jordan Hamessley, my editor. The opportunity to work with a talented, insightful editor such as Jordan is a gift, plain and simple. Her guidance and ability to read between the lines pushed me to get Dean’s story right. The book you are currently holding would not be the same without her.

I also want to thank the entire Egmont team, including Andrea Cascardi, Margaret Coffee, Michelle Bayuk, Georgia Morrissey, and Joy Simpkins. I have said it many times before: I may have written the story, but they are the ones who make it a book. Working together with all of you and collaborating on Matt Armstrong’s wonderful cover has been one of the highlights of my career.

Finally, I want to thank my family for always being there. My mom, my brother, my two boys, and my beautiful wife … together we make so much good stuff happen. I love you all.