House of Roots and Ruin

1

The paintbrush was too wet.

Pigment concentrated through the boar-­hair bristles, sluicing out in irregular blots and smudging the line I d wanted crisp.

Hold still, I murmured, barely moving my lips as I dabbed the brush on a rag, lest I somehow jar the moment before me and lose its magic forever. Just one minute more.

The corner of Artie s lips trembled as if fighting the urge to break into a grin.

I m almost finished, I promised. Just . . . I flicked the brush across the canvas, capturing the gleam of impish merriment brightening my nephew s eyes. There. It s perfect.

I want to see! I want to see! Artie exclaimed, falling out of his carefully arranged pose and tumbling over himself as he dashed behind the easel. His eyebrows fell. That s not what I look like. Is it?

I studied the rendering with a critical eye before glancing back to the little boy before me. Thick waves of dark hair like mine, like most Thaumases, but with his father s button nose. I think it s a fine likeness.

Very fine, a voice affirmed from the doorway behind us.

Mama! he cried, racing off to give his mother a hug. Am I done now?

Camille raised an eyebrow at me, seeking confirmation. I set down my palette and nodded.

All done. Camille pressed a swift kiss to the top of his head before he was off, racing down the hall, breathless with pent-­up energy.

How was he? she asked, entering the Blue Room to study the portrait more closely. Her amber eyes missed nothing. This arrived for you this morning, she said, handing me a thick envelope. It was marked with several palace seals.

Mercy.

A little squirmy but that s to be expected. I ran my thumb under the flap, ready to rip open the envelope and dig out my sister s letter, but I paused, watching Camille take in the painting.

It s a lovely painting, she complimented. I can t believe he s five now. Where have the years gone? My sister brushed a strand of burnished auburn

Erin A. Craig

Praise for House of Roots and Ruin:

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!

A Publishers Weekly bestseller!

A USA Today bestseller!

"Another triumph by Craig, a twisty gothic romance that drew me in from the first sentence. There's something comforting about stepping into Craig's worlds, she crafts them well, and they're so suffused with light that the darkness comes as a surprise. I'll be recommending this one everywhere." Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Three Dark Crowns

"Terrifying and beautiful, Craig has given us another heartstopper!" Lauren Blackwood, New York Times bestselling author of Within These Wicked Walls

"I was utterly consumed by House of Roots and Ruin. It was the beautifully dark Gothic fantasy I've been waiting for." Megan Shepherd, New York Times bestselling author of Grim Lovelies

With the gothic elegance that is Craig s signature, House of Roots and Ruin will grow its thorns into your heart and not let it go until the last page turns. Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf

"Readers will be riveted ...Craig has proven to be one of the masters of the YA literary scene."  BookTrib

"Steamy, suspenseful, and sensuous." Kirkus Reviews