Kasper Abbott, Ember Holmes, Simon Bohlin, and the names of so many others I had seen nearly every day in this town. So many lives that could never be replaced, voids that would never be filled.
Near the bottom, in letters just as bold and dark as everyone else’s, was Konstantin Black.
A lump formed painfully in my throat. I’d been so afraid that nobody would know that Konstantin had died to protect the kingdom, or be aware of all the things he’d done to aid in this battle. I had been terrified that I would be the only one who mourned him.
But now everybody would know. For generations, people would see his name, and know that he’d died a true Kanin hero.
Linus continued his speech, telling Doldastam how he planned to honor the dead by giving the kingdom new life, but I’d heard all I needed to. I got up quietly and snuck away from the crowd, walking out of the town square.
I hadn’t made it very far when I heard Ridley’s footsteps behind me. The cobblestone streets were empty, since everyone was at the celebration, and I turned to face him.
His chestnut hair was slightly disheveled, and he brushed it back from his forehead. He’d left the top buttons of his shirt undone, the way I liked it, but his rabbit amulet was still missing. As soon as the fighting ended, he’d stepped down from his position as Överste and Rektor.
“What’s going on?” His dark eyes were filled with concern as he looked down at me.
“I’ve spent enough time thinking about the dead lately,” I said honestly. “I need a break from it. I think I just need some time to think about the future and try to feel optimistic again.”
“I get that,” Ridley agreed. “The last few weeks have been so dark, you need to start looking for something bright.”
I nodded. “Exactly.”
“Where you heading now, in search of your something bright?”
I shrugged. “Just back to my loft.”
“Let me walk you home.”
“You know you can always walk me home.” I smiled up at him.
“I know. But I like it when you tell me I can anyway.” He put his arm around me as we started walking across town toward my place.
“Have you decided what you’re going to do yet?” I asked, looking up at him. “Now that you’re not in charge of the trackers?”
“Not yet,” he admitted. “But I’ve got time to figure it out.”
“That’s true,” I agreed. “We’ve got the rest of our lives to figure it all out.”
He kissed my temple. “And I think we’ve proven that together, we can take on anything.”
GLOSSARY
Changeling—a child secretly exchanged for another.
Doldastam—the capital and largest city of the Kanin, located in northeastern Manitoba, Canada near the Hudson Bay.
Eldvatten—literally translates to “firewater.” Very strong alcohol made by the Omte.
Förening—the capital and largest city of the Trylle. A compound in the bluffs along the Mississippi River in Minnesota, United States where the palace is located.
Fulaträsk—the capital and largest city of the Omte. It’s located in the southern part of Louisiana in the wetlands, with many of the Omte residing in the trees.
Hobgoblin—an ugly, misshapen troll that stands no more than three feet tall known only to the Vittra tribes. They are slow-witted but possess a supernatural strength.
Högdragen—an elite guard that protects the Kanin kingdom. They must go through a specialized training process after tracker school in order to qualify, and many students are unable to pass because of the difficult requirements in order to graduate. Members of the Högdragen are respected and revered throughout the kingdom, despite the fact that most are born lower-class, because of their skill and their unparalleled ability to protect the royal families and the kingdom at large.
Host family—the family that the changeling is left with. They are chosen based on their ranking in human society, with their wealth being the primary consideration. The higher ranked the member of troll society, the more powerful and affluent the host family their changeling is left with.
Iskyla—small Kanin arctic community in northern Canada.
Kanin—one of the more powerful tribes of trolls left. They are considered quiet and peaceful. They are known for their ability to blend in, and like chameleons, their skin can change color to help them blend into their surroundings. Like the Trylle, they still practice changelings, but not nearly as frequently. Only one in ten of their offspring are left as changelings.
Lysa—a telekinetic ability related to astral projection that allows one troll to psychically enter another troll’s thoughts through a vision, usually a dream.
Mänsklig—often shortened to “mänks.” The literal translation for the word “mänsklig” is human, but it has come to describe the human child that is taken when the Trylle offspring is left behind.
Markis—a title of male royalty in troll society. Similar to that of a Duke, it’s given to trolls with superior abilities. They have a higher ranking than the average troll, but are beneath the King and Queen. The hierarchy of troll society is as follows:
King/Queen
Prince/Princess
Markis/Marksinna
Högdragen
Troll citizens
Trackers
Mänsklig
Host families
Humans (not raised in troll society)
Marksinna—a title of female royalty in troll society. The female equivalent of the Markis.
Ogre—similar to hobgoblins, except they are giant, most standing over seven-feet tall with superior strength. They are dimwitted and aggressive, and they are known only to the Omte tribes.
Omte—only slightly more populous than the Skojare, the Omte tribe of trolls are known to be rude and somewhat ill-tempered. They still practice changelings but pick lower class families than the Trylle and Kanin. Unlike the other tribes, Omte tend to be less attractive in appearance.
Ondarike— the capital city of the Vittra. The Queen, along with the majority of the powerful Vittra, live within the palace there. It is located in northern Colorado.
Överste—in times of war, the Överste is the officer in charge of commanding the soldiers. The Överste does not decide any battle plans, but instead receives orders from the King or the Chancellor.
Persuasion—a mild form of mind control. The ability to cause another person to act a certain way based on thoughts.
Precognition—knowledge of something before its occurrence, especially by extrasensory perception.
Psychokinesis—blanket term for the production or control of motion, especially in inanimate and remote objects, purportedly by the exercise of psychic powers. This can include mind control, precognition, telekinesis, biological healing, teleportation, and transmutation.
Rektor—the Kanin in charge of trackers. The Rektor works with new recruits, helps with placement, and generally works to keep the trackers organized and functioning.
Skojare—an aquatic tribe of trolls that is nearly extinct. They require large amounts of fresh water to survive, and one-third of their population possess gills so they are able to breathe underwater. Once plentiful, only about five thousand Skojare are left on the entire planet.
Storvatten—the capital city and largest city of the Skojare, located in southern Ontario, Canada on Lake Superior.
Tonåren—in the Skojare society, a time when teenagers seek to explore the human world and escape the isolation of Storvatten. Most teens return home within a few weeks.
Tracker—members of troll society who are specifically trained to track down changelings and bring them home. Trackers have no paranormal abilities, other than the affinity to tune into their particular changeling. They are able to sense danger to their charge and can determine the distance between them. The lowest form of troll society, other than mänsklig.
Tralla horse—a powerful draft horse, larger than a Shire horse or a Clydesdale, originating in Scandi
navia and only known to be bred amongst the Kanin. Once used as a workhorse because they could handle the cold and snow, now they are usually used for show, such as in parades or during celebrations.
Trylle—beautiful trolls with powers of psychokinesis for whom the practice of changelings is a cornerstone of their society. Like all trolls, they are ill-tempered and cunning, and often selfish. Once plentiful, their numbers and abilities are fading, but they are still one of the largest tribes of trolls. They are considered peaceful.
Vittra—a more violent faction of trolls whose powers lie in physical strength and longevity, although some mild psychokinesis is not unheard of. They also suffer from frequent infertility. While Vittra are generally beautiful in appearance, more than fifty percent of their offspring are born as hobgoblins. They are one of the only troll tribes to have hobgoblins in their population.
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Älskade Abbott—Al-skah-duh Ab-bot
Baltsar Thorne—Bal-tsar Thorn
Bayle Lundeen—Bail Lun-deen
Bodil Elak—Boh-deel Eee-luck
Bryn Aven—Brin A-ven
Cyrano Moen—Sear-uh-no Moe-en
Doldastam—Dole-dah-stam
Eldvatten—Elld-vah-ten
Evert Strinne—Ever-t Strin
Förening—Fure-ning
Fulaträsk—Fool-uh-trassk
Gotland rabbit—Got-land
Helge Otäck—Hel-ga Oo-tech
Högdragen—Hug-dragon
Iskyla—Iss-key-la
Juni Sköld—Joon-y Sh-weld
Kanin—cannon
Lake Isolera—Lake Ice-oh-lar-uh
Linnea Biâelse—Lin-nay-uh Bee–yellsa
Lisbet Ahlstrom—Liz-bet All-strum
Ludlow Svartalf—Lud-loe Svare-toff
lysa—lie-sa
Måne—Moe-nay
Markis—marquee
Marksinna—mark-iss-eena
Mikko Biâelse—Mick-o Bee–yellsa
Mina Strinne—Mee-na Strin
Modi & Magni—Mow-dee & Mahg-nee
Naima Abbott—Na-eema Ab-bot
Omte—oo-m-tuh
Överste—Ur-ve-sh-ter
Ridley Dresden—Rid-lee Drez-den
Runa Aven—Rue-na A-ven
Skojare—sko-yar-uh
Storvatten—Store-vot-en
Tilda Moller—Till-duh Maul-er
tonåren—toe-no-ren
Tralla horse—trahl-uh
Trylle—trill
Ulla Tulin—Oo-lah Two-lin
Viktor Dålig—Victor Dough-leg
Vita—Vee-tah
Vittra—vit-rah
Royalty
Kanin
King Evert Henrik Strinne
Reign 1999–
Born 3/8/1976 in Doldastam
Crowned 1/17/1999
Married 4/12/2009
Son of Prince Henrik Strinne and Princess Diana Strinne, née Berling
Queen Mina Viktoria Strinne, née Arvinge
Born 9/3/1989 in Iskyla
Married 4/12/2009
Orphaned daughter of Alva Arvinge and Viktoria Arvinge
Skojare
King Mikko Rune Biâelse
Reign 2012–
Born 5/7/1982 in Storvatten
Crowned 9/13/2012
Married 6/22/2013
Son of King Rune Biâelse and Queen Lucia Biâelse, née Ottesen
Queen Linnea Lisbet Biâelse, née Ahlstrom
Born 6/16/1998 in Storvatten
Married 6/22/2013
Daughter of Markis Devin Ahlstrom and Marksinna Ola Ahlstrom, née Fisk
Prince Kennet Tor Biâelse
Born 12/3/1985 in Storvatten
Son of King Rune Biâelse and Queen Lucia Biâelse, née Ottesen
Trylle
Queen Wendy Luella Staad, née Dahl
Reign 2010–
Born 1/9/1992 in New York
Crowned 1/14/2014
Married 5/1/2010
Daughter of Trylle Queen Elora Dahl and Vittra King Oren Elsing
King Loki Niklas Staad
Born 11/17/1987
Married 5/1/2010 in Ondarike
Son of former Trylle Chancellor Alrik Staad and Vittra Marksinna Olivia Staad, née Härlig
Crown Prince Oliver Matthew Loren Staad
Born 10/6/2010 in Förening
Son of Queen Wendy Staad and Loki Staad
Omte
Queen Regent Bodil Freya Elak, née Fågel
Reign 2011–
Born 3/24/1978 in Fulaträsk
Married 9/1/2006
Widowed 8/13/2011
Crowned Acting Monarch 8/14/2011
Daughter of Markis Boris Fågel and Marksinna Freya Fågel, née Dam
King Thor Osvald Elak
Reign 1992–2011
Born 4/2/1969 in Fulaträsk
Married 9/1/2006
Died 8/13/2011 in Fulaträsk
Son of King Draugr Elak and Queen Märta Elak, née Asp
Crown Prince Furston Thor Elak
Born 3/4/2010 in Fulaträsk
Son of Queen Bodil Elak and King Thor Elak
Vittra
Queen Sara Adrielle Elsing, née Vinter
Reign 2010–
Born 2/1/1977 in Ondarike
Married 11/2/1996
Crowned Acting Monarch 1/15/2010
Widowed 1/14/2010
Daughter of Markis Luden Vinter and Marksinna Sarina Vinter, née Dron
King Oren Bodvar Elsing
Reign 1985–2010
Born 7/1/1914 in Ondarike
Crowned 11/23/1985
Married 5/19/1990
Annulled 7/30/1992
Married 11/2/1996
Died 1/14/2010 in Ondarike
Son of King Bodvar Elsing the II and Queen Grendel Elsing
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda Hocking is the author of the New York Times bestselling Trylle trilogy, the Watersong series, and six additional self-published novels. She made international headlines by selling more than a million copies of her self-published books, primarily in e-book format. She lives in Minnesota, where she’s at work on her next book. You can sign up for email updates here.
Also by Amanda Hocking
Switched
Torn
Ascend
Wake
Lullaby
Tidal
Elegy
Frostfire
Ice Kissed
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
1. Friends & Enemies
2. Tracking
3. Ember
4. Impetus
5. Exile
6. Alliance
7. Commute
8. Everglade
9. Monstrosity
10. Confined
11. Carnivorous
12. Distrust
13. Longing
14. Repossess
15. Notify
16. Duplicity
17. Summoned
18. Parting
19. Compound
20. Correspond
21. Asylum
22. Domestic
23. Reevaluate
24. Hunted
26. Frozen
27. Iskyla
28. Visitors
29. Relation
30. Nanuq
31. Anguish
32. Convalesce
33. Tisane
34. Return
35. Compatriot
36. Reser
ve
37. Derailed
38. Gathering
39. Proclamation
40. Tavvaujutit
41. Strike
42. Avenge
43. Crusade
44. Defensive
45. Valedictory
46. Torment
47. Offense
48. Confrontation
49. Unannounced
50. Masquerade
51. Dalliance
52. Expiry
53. Retaliate
54. Älskade
55. Terrain
56. Covet
57. Home
58. Fortified
59. Kingdom of Ice
60. Burial
61. Liberate
62. Reunion
63. Overtaken
64. Tempest
65. Disturbance
66. Dialogue
67. Battle Cry
68. Absolution
69. Ogre
70. Conspire
71. Adversary
72. Allt är Mitt
73. Bloodied
74. Ensnared
75. Reprisal
76. Chambered
77. White Rabbit
78. Gutted
79. Dödsfall
80. Hope
Glossary
Biâelse Family Tree
Strinne Family Tree
Pronunciation Guide
Royalty
About the Author
Also by Amanda Hocking
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
CRYSTAL KINGDOM. Copyright © 2015 by Amanda Hocking. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio
Cover illustration by Mike Heath
eBooks may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases, please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department by writing to MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-04988-9 (trade paperback)
ISBN 978-1-250-07535-2 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4668-5088-0 (e-book)