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

“Depends when we feel well enough to fuck again,” said Talfryn. Akton groaned.


As though they’d passed over some unspoken yet agreed upon line, they slept shifted every night after that. This was an entirely new, completely pleasant experience for Talfryn—he’d only ever slept shifted on the occasional overnight stay alone in the woods. It felt comfortable, like sleeping naked, only better. Akton’s soft body against him warmed him, intimate in a way sex wasn’t. He wasn’t even sure which he liked better—sleeping with Akton, or sleeping next to him.


They avoided discussing the “we” question, also, chatting about random topics when they did converse. Two more weeks went by and they were back to sparring again, determination actually visible in Akton’s eyes now. The amount of villages, then towns, they passed indicated they should be coming up on Ylenia any day now.


“What’s it like?” asked Akton one morning after they’d been on the road for an hour or so. “The Queen’s City?”


Chapter 55