ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A new series is always like an adventure into the dangerous unknown: terrifying and exciting, and much better with company. I’m grateful to all the people who took this journey with me.
Thank you, first and foremost, to every single reader of this book. Books are nothing without their readers, and this author is very thankful to have you here. Special love and thanks go to my sapphic desi readers. I hope this book made you feel seen, at least a little.
Thank you to my agent, Laura Crockett, who has consistently given me the chance to write the books of my dreams. Thank you, also, to everyone at Triada US Literary Agency, especially Uwe Stender.
Huge thanks to everyone at Orbit: Priyanka Krishnan, my brilliant editor who made this book bigger and better and significantly more romantic—this book wouldn’t be half as good without you, and I’m so grateful for your guidance. Hillary Sames, for combing through draft after draft and making this book shine. My UK editor, Jenni Hill, and my UK publicist, Nazia Khatun, for guiding The Jasmine Throne into the world closer to home. Lauren Panepinto and Micah Epstein, for the beautiful cover. Ellen Wright and Paola Crespo, for their amazing marketing and publicity and support. Anna Jackson and Tim Holman, for running the ship. Thank you to Bryn A. McDonald and Amy J. Schneider, for being wizards （copy editors are absolutely wizards）。 And finally, veering gently away from Orbit: Thank you to Sarah Guan, who planted the seed that grew into this book.
Kat, Kate, Daphne, Tori, Lesedi, Shuo—in these extremely weird times, you’ve kept me grounded. Love you. And thank you to all the friends I haven’t mentioned here by name, who’ve supported me in ways large and small and deserved better than this vague mention.
Big thanks to every fellow author who has supported me as I rambled about this book in our chats. One day I hope to see you all at a convention again so I can thank you properly over a cup of tea （or a whiskey, if you so prefer）。 Devin Madson, Rowenna Miller, Anna Stephens—thank you especially for reading early drafts of this book. And thank you to Natasha Ngan, for telling me to write the sapphic book I was afraid to.
Lan Zhan bunny, Wei Ying bunny, and Asami—you can’t read because you’re animals, but thank you all the same for supporting me by being fluffy and cute, I guess.
I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without the loving, patient support of my family. Special thanks to my mum, Anita Suri, for keeping me fed and being an absolute rock （and a powerhouse）。
And finally, Carly: I love you. None of this would have been possible without you. This one is for you.
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CAST OF CHARACTERS
Ahiranyi
Ashok—Rebel against Parijatdvipan rule, temple son Bhumika—Wife of the regent of Ahiranya, temple daughter Billu—Cook in the household of the regent of Ahiranya Bojal—Temple elder, deceased
Chandni—Temple elder
Ganam—Rebel against Parijatdvipan rule Gauri—Senior maidservant in the household of the regent of Ahiranya Gautam—Dealer of Ahiranyi medicines Govind—Highborn lord, uncle of Bhumika Jeevan—Captain of the guard to the regent of Ahiranya Jitesh—Guard in the household of Lord Iskar Khalida—Maidservant to Lady Bhumika Kritika—Rebel against Parijatdvipan rule Meena—Rebel against Parijatdvipan rule Mithunan—Guard in the household of the regent of Ahiranya Nandi—Temple son, deceased
Nikhil—Guard in the household of Lord Iskar Priya—Maidservant in the household of the regent of Ahiranya, temple daughter Rukh—Young servant in the household of the regent of Ahiranya, rot sufferer Sanjana—Temple daughter, deceased
Sarita—Ahiranyi rebel
Sendhil—Temple elder
Sima—Maidservant in the household of the regent of Ahiranya
Aloran
Alori—Princess of Alor, attendant of Princess Malini, deceased Rao—Prince of Alor
Viraj—King of Alor
Dwarali
Khalil—Lord of the Lal Qila
Raziya—Highborn lady, wife of Lord Khalil
Parijati
Aditya—Ex-crown prince of Parijatdvipa; priest of the nameless Chandra—Emperor of Parijatdvipa
Divyanshi—First mother of flame, founder of Parijatdvipa, deceased Iskar—Advisor to the regent of Ahiranya Lata—Sage
Mahesh—Highborn lord, loyal to Prince Aditya Malini—Princess of Parijat
Narina—Noble attendant of Princess Malini, deceased Pramila—Highborn lady, jailer of Malini Santosh—Highborn lord, loyal to Emperor Chandra Sikander—Previous emperor of Parijatdvipa, deceased Vikram—Regent of Ahiranya