Look to the Stars (The Orien Trilogy Book 1)
Page 42
Oh, Aras, what have you done?
Reaching out for another vase, this one an empty, white creation with the sole purpose of looking pretty, I raise it above my head, ready to pound my anger into the floor once more, when a quiet, but sure voice freezes me from behind.
“I already did the same thing, you know. As soon as I read Aras’ last letter, I went into Father’s chambers and tore every last piece of precious pottery from his shelves. Made a real mess of it, too.” She pauses, a clear grin in her voice, and the tense muscles of my arms twitch. “Of course, not that he’ll see it anyway. Bates will have it gone and replaced before Father even sets foot in that room, but at least I’ll know the truth. And every time I hide behind a giant, fake smile, I’ll be thinking of the exact way his chambers looked when it crumbled at my hands.”
Slowly, my arms lower, and I bend to the floor, carefully placing the unharmed vase upon one of the rich, white rugs. Then I still my back to nothing but a slate of stone toward my new guest.
“Aras said you’d be upset,” she continues, and my shoulders jump as I hear her footsteps pad across the floor. “Even more so than me.”
She pauses, and I feel the heat of her tiny body sidling up to mine. She kneels, reaching out to place a soft hand upon my cheek, a thumb rubbing away the last of my tears with a careful swipe. Her brow wrinkles with thought, and her vivid green eyes soak me in as if I’m a vision straight from her dreams. “But skies above,” she whispers. “I may have seriously underestimated his ability to woo.”
I hover over still waters—my reflection looks back.
“Vivi,” I say.
Acknowledgements
One day, while discussing our recent good reads, my dad looked at me and said, “Cat, why don’t you write a book?” And so it began.
Over one year, and countless naptimes later, my dream of writing my first novel is finally complete, yet I couldn’t have done it without the endless love and support of my family and friends.
Thank you to my parents, Tom and Nancy Pinion, who were among the first to get their hands on a very rough, rough draft and smiled through it anyway. Your excitement, despite its many flaws, encouraged me to keep going. I’ll never know what I did to deserve you, but I’m forever grateful that you were written in my stars. It’s because of you that I write.
Thank you to my brother and sister, Tim and Nichele. Nichele, it’s your love and passion to do what is right for others (people and furry friends alike) that has helped to give me, and fictional characters like Brave, our feisty personality. You have always been stronger than you think, and because of that, so have I. Tim, I couldn’t have grown up with a better big brother, and it’s because of you that I have all of these wild stories in my head. You know you’re a good storyteller/teaser when your little sister still believes most of your tales at the tender age of thirty-two. I love you both, dearly.
Thank you to my twin boys, Jack and Rowan. If it weren’t for your naptimes on the weekends, I would have never even considered writing a book. Each and every day, you help me to strive to be a better mommy, wife, teacher, and writer. There is just something about having the privilege of raising two bright, funny, and spunky boys that makes the world seem right. Oh, my handsome princes, I do believe I’m your number one fan.
Thank you to my grandmothers, Eloise Pinion and Simone Nichols. Your lives have been the ultimate example of what it means to be a strong, steadfast, and compassionate woman. Granny, you were always proud of me for even the smallest of things, and I wish with all of my heart that you were here to see my dream come true. As someone who never gave up on her education, you taught me to value the opportunities that I have. Your model of faith and perseverance has always helped me to trust in the plans that God has for my life. I miss you every day, and I can’t wait for your neck love when we meet again.
Grandma, we’ve always lived so far apart, but even an entire country cannot reduce the impact that you’ve had on my life. As a woman who fell in love with a man who didn’t even speak her same language, and then literally sailed across the ocean to a foreign land just to be with him, you embody the spirit of brave. Nothing is impossible when you believe in yourself—you’ve always taught me that. Je t’aime.
Thank you to the Fab Four: Myra Hill, Salena McKay, Shona Purcell, and Stephanie Williams. You didn’t even laugh when your crazy friend randomly shared that she was writing a book. Instead, you showered me with encouragement and were truly excited to read about Brave and Aras’ story. True friends are hard to find, and I’m so lucky to have you in my life. None of this would have been possible if I didn’t have you to cheer me on.
Thank you to Kim Stephens, who was excited to read my book, even when it still needed a lot of work. You made my heart sing when you told me that you couldn’t get anything done all day because you just had to know what happened to Brave. You are every author’s dream come true! I’m so thankful for your encouragement. Everyone needs a friend like you!
Thank you to Pauline (Nanny) and Tommy Adkins. When we told you that I had written a book, you were both so proud, but not the least bit surprised. You’ve always told us that together, we could do great things. We love you both.
Thank you to Cynthia Shepp for tackling this long and crazy novel of mine instead of running for the hills. Editing can be a frightening task, but it’s not near as frightening when I have you. You’re the best, and I mean it.
Thank you to Jane Dixon-Smith for the amazing cover design. You took Brave’s story, and you gave her a home. It’s everything I dreamed and more.
Thank you to my awesome husband, Jody, who has been my number one fan throughout this crazy writing adventure. When I first told you that I wanted to write a book, you were so excited, and you have been every day since. You encouraged me right from the start, and on those days when I didn’t feel like my writing was good enough, you encouraged me even more. As a self-professed nonreader, I’m so proud of you for diving into my story. I’ll never forget the day when you finished a new chapter and said, “I like Brave. She’s kind of funny.” It was the best compliment that I’d ever received. You are the reason this book is complete, and I have no doubt that you’ll be the reason the next two are finished as well. You, I love.
And finally, thank you Lord for the opportunities You have provided me. My path was in Your hands long before I set foot on this earth. I am blessed, because of You.
About the Author
Catherine Wilson has always had a passion for books, until one day, she got the crazy idea to write her own. The youngest in her tightknit family, she grew up at the base of a mountain in rural North Georgia. There she learned to climb trees, swing her way across creeks, and fight invisible foes. All wonderful practice, she soon found, for creating an imaginary world of her own.
Catherine currently lives in Georgia with her supportive husband and twin boys. As a full time teacher and mother of two three-year-olds, she writes during nap time. When she's not writing, you can usually find her chasing her family around on their newest adventure. Look to the Stars is her first novel.
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