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

Ylenia herself was much as her first impression, although it occurred to Akton she wasn’t wearing a crown of any sort. She leaned forward, resting her arms heavily on her knees, and examined them with her faded blue eyes.


“What is it you have come here to say to me?” she asked.


Akton caught her eye, though he knew he shouldn’t dare.


“An army is being built,” he said. Shanna went stiff beside the throne, Talfryn tensed beside him, and Akton could sense even Eynri reacting behind him. But Ylenia seemed unaffected.


“You should have told us,” said Eynri from behind him, but Ylenia shot him a calm look.


“And are you representatives of this army?” she asked. Akton shook his head.


“No. I escaped one of their recruitment parties.”


“And I went with him to the nearest town to report the activity, my queen,” said Talfryn. “Unfortunately, the Guard there had already been corrupted. We decided to take the information directly to you.”


Chapter 64