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

Feelings within Talfryn were conflicting. He didn’t want to deal with how close he and Akton had gotten, or the look he’d seen on Akton’s face when he was pulling Talfryn away from the centaur. He didn’t want to examine how they’d gotten where they were. It had been so gradual. It had been only travel and sex. He’d thought it had only been that.


Violet approached with bowls of food, which made Talfryn’s stomach flip even though it smelled good. But Akton glared at him until he took a bite.


“Thanks,” she said, trying to meet Talfryn’s eye. He gave her a small smile. “Not just for dealing with her. For risking our reaction to seeing you’re a shifter.”


“Not a problem,” said Talfryn, despite it being so far from the truth he nearly laughed at his own words.


“No, really. We could have killed you.”


“I’m sure he knew that,” said Akton. Violet examined him for a moment. Before she could speak, though, Spence got up and called for attention at the central fire.


Chapter 54