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

“You don’t think you’ll have to stay after this, do you?” asked Akton after the silence began pressing in on them again. He really must be uncomfortable if he was the one talking. Talfryn tried to smile. He doubted they’d let him leave if they’d been willing to kill him before. No, his life was completely altered now. He decided to change the subject.


“Shanna informed me the word for shifter in the old high tongue is ethremyln, plural ethremylnar. I can’t believe I never came across this in any of the history books I read—but I suppose my reading exposure isn’t so wide as I thought. I’d love nothing more than to get my hands on a library or two while here…But what’s really interesting is what this means for Emylnor.”


“Which is what?” asked Akton. He almost looked interested. For a moment Talfryn thought he might just like listening to him talk, but then he shook the notion off. Stress. It was only stress


Chapter 63