“What does that have to do with anything?”
Somehow, despite myself, the smallest of smiles slipped across my face. Finnian had won Coralie over, and I had to believe there was a way for Lucas and me as well.
Note from the Author
Finish the Spoken Mage series in book 4, Voice of Life.
To be kept informed of releases and of bonus shorts in the Spoken Mage world—including an exclusive bonus chapter of Voice of Power, retold from Lucas’s point of view—please sign up to my mailing list at www.melaniecellier.com.
Want more fantasy, romance, adventure, and intrigue while you wait for the end of Elena and Lucas’s story? Try A Dance of Silver and Shadow, the first book in my Beyond the Four Kingdoms series in which twelve princesses must do a lot more than just dance when they get caught up in a dangerous and magical competition.
Thank you for taking the time to read my book. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please spread the word! You could start by leaving a review on Amazon (or Goodreads or Facebook or any other social media site). Your review would be very much appreciated and would make a big difference!
ROYAL FAMILY OF ARDANN
King Stellan
Queen Verena
Crown Princess Lucienne
Prince Lucas
MAGE COUNCIL
Academy Head (black robe) - Duke Lorcan of Callinos
University Head (black robe) - Duchess Jessamine of Callinos
Head of Law Enforcement (red robe) - Duke Lennox of Ellington
Head of the Seekers (gray robe) - Duchess Phyllida of Callinos
Head of the Healers (purple robe) - Duke Dashiell of Callinos
Head of the Growers (green robe) - Duchess Annika of Devoras
Head of the Wind Workers (blue robe) - Duke Magnus of Ellington
Head of the Creators (orange robe) - Duke Casimir of Stantorn
Head of the Armed Forces (silver robe) - General Griffith of Devoras
Head of the Royal Guard (gold robe) - General Thaddeus of Stantorn
Acknowledgments
Voice of Dominion’s first draft was considerably shorter than this final version, and it required more rewrites and new scenes than is generally the case for my books. So I’m more than usually grateful to my awesome beta readers and editors who helped me work out all the ways the story needed to be improved. I’m a verbal processor, so I’m particularly grateful to the many hours they collectively spent talking it through with me as I worked out what changes and additions to make.
To my developmental editor, Mary, and my beta team, Rachel, Greg, Ber, Katie, Priya, Marina, and Casey: I am constantly grateful to have your assistance. I promise I don’t take any of you for granted!
My copyeditor and my proofreader also went above and beyond on this occasion, completing their work ahead of time and keeping my pre-order on schedule (and even before). I never write a draft without feeling gratitude for your expertise. Because no matter how many times you explain some of those fiddly grammar rules to me, I just can’t keep them in my head. (I have to admit I’ve given up hope that I’ll ever remember if it’s different from or different than.)
My cover designer, Karri, continues to be a model of patience and skill as I bombard her with seemingly endless requests. New cover designs are only the start—there’s also paperback covers, audio covers, title changes, and the list goes on. Sometimes it feels never-ending, so I’m always grateful to be working with someone of Karri’s calibre.
My author friends continue to inspire, reassure, comfort, and entertain me—all essential things for the day-to-day survival of an author. Kitty, Kenley, Shari, Aya, Brittany, Diana, and Marina, I think my extroverted self would go crazy being stuck behind a computer all day if you weren’t here with me—virtually, at least!
And this time I’ve saved my family for the end. Marc, Adeline, and Sebastian, your patience with me is astounding and always gratefully received. After every book I resolve to be more disciplined with my time for the next book, and somehow (so far!) life has always gotten in the way. I know my family bears the brunt of my long days when I’m drafting and then editing, and I’m so thankful for your flexibility. I hope one day I’ll develop greater focus and be able to spend fewer hours shut up in my office away from you all.
And a final thank you to God, who helps keep all the ups and downs of the writing life in perspective.
About the Author
Melanie Cellier grew up on a staple diet of books, books and more books. And although she got older, she never stopped loving children’s and young adult novels.
She always wanted to write one herself, but it took three careers and three different continents before she actually managed it.
She now feels incredibly fortunate to spend her time writing from her home in Adelaide, Australia where she keeps an eye out for koalas in her backyard. Her staple diet hasn’t changed much, although she’s added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.
She writes young adult fantasy including her Spoken Mage series, and her Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series which are made up of linked stand-alone stories that retell classic fairy tales.
Also by Melanie Cellier
The Four Kingdoms
The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea (Book One)
The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood (Book Two)
Happily Every Afters: A Reimagining of Snow White and Rose Red (Novella)
The Princess Pact: A Twist on Rumpelstiltskin (Book Three)
A Midwinter's Wedding: A Retelling of The Frog Prince (Novella)
The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty (Book Four)
The Princess Search: A Retelling of The Ugly Duckling (Book Five)
Beyond the Four Kingdoms
A Dance of Silver and Shadow: A Retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses (Book One)
A Tale of Beauty and Beast: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast (Book Two)
A Crown of Snow and Ice: A Retelling of The Snow Queen (Book Three)
A Dream of Ebony and White: A Retelling of Snow White (Book Four)
A Captive of Wing and Feather: A Retelling of Swan Lake (Book Five) Coming in 2019
A Princess of Wind and Wave: A Retelling of The Little Mermaid (Book Six) Coming in 2019
The Spoken Mage
Voice of Power (Book One)
Voice of Command (Book Two)
Voice of Dominion (Book Three)
Voice of Life (Book Four)
Voice of Dominion (The Spoken Mage Book 3) Page 28
