Generations ago, shifters -- many with magic powers -- were accepted throughout Emylnor. But a war with the nearby dragon nation bred concern, and though Emylnor's forces beat back the invasion, the shifters retreated into hiding.<br><br>Akton is a weasel shifter who seems to have no magical talents. When he is hunted, Talfryn joins the fight, finally able to flex his salamander flame powers. But while they make a good team, the thrill quickly wears off when they uncover recruitment orders. A shifter named Basil is building an army.<br><br>Someone has to warn Queen Ylenia before Basil can launch Emylnor into another war. When Akton and Talfryn volunteer to deliver the information to her, they have no intention of getting deeply involved with the fight -- or each other. But to stop Basil, they need to learn to trust each other completely, and fast. Or all of Emylnor will burn ...

Flame and Snow

He dashed back, leaving the pan and other canteen, and careened into camp to see Akton bent over in pain. Talfryn saw the bottle of sun water on its side, spilled, and realized immediately Akton must have tried some.


“Foolish,” he said, crossing to him and kneeling. Tears streamed down Akton’s face, eyes watering in pain. “Don’t you know not to mess with spells and potions if you don’t know what they do?”


Akton snatched the canteen out of his hand and took a long swig before Talfryn yanked it away and tossed it to the ground.


“That’s not going to help,” he said, angry, worried. He didn’t know what to do for this. He and Glenna so carefully measured that no one had ever taken too much sun water before. And while he’d read about it causing massive burns on skin, it was only ever in a weaponized context, not with a cure. Talfryn’s mind raced. The only thing he had close to an idea he doubted Akton would like.


Chapter 16