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

“Oh, I think there is a case for arguing she’s neglected some regions. Ivels obviously used to be in a better state than it is now,” said Talfryn. “You’d think she’d be fairly good at running a nation after so many centuries.”


“Maybe that’s just it. Maybe she’s lazy, or old and tired.”


“They call her the Ageless Queen for a reason,” he said, even as Akton glared at him.


“Nobody’s ageless,” he said. He didn’t believe in that sort of thing. Magic, yes—his own shifting was proof of that—but immortality? Even shifters died. Even apothecaries, good-looking, intelligent ones with potions and spells for everything, expired eventually.


“She might have a spell we don’t know about,” said Talfryn. When Akton scoffed Talfryn nudged him. “What’s your theory, then?”


Chapter 25