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

“It must take half a day to cross the city on foot,” said Talfryn.


“With our crowns? No. No.” Talfryn shook his head firmly. “I’m willing to give up trying to find a book to spend that on, but we have to at least try some of the food—”


“Talfryn,” said Akton, yanking his arm to drag him out of the way of a donkey-drawn cart full of leeks. “We came here for a reason, and it wasn’t to experience Ylenia. We’ve got bigger problems than tracking down street food. How are we going to get—”


“Look at those gates!” Talfryn sounded on the verge of fainting. Akton followed his gaze, but they didn’t seem very interesting to him, just two-story tall stone carvings of people at enough intervals to leave five entry points. If this was just one of the gates, though, he was impressed


“There’s a bit of a wait, isn’t there,” he said, peering at the lines.


Chapter 56