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

“Is she being seen by a healer?” asked Talfryn when they were in the moving rock chamber. They were descending, Akton noticed, at a slower pace than they had ascended.


“Don’t suggest Queen Ylenia has incompetent staff,” said Eynri. “Particularly when you know so little.”


“I’m an apothecary,” he said. “I know mental deterioration when I see it. She needs treatment.”


“You think centuries old Ylenia needs mental treatment? She’s eccentric, her mind works strangely. Yours would too if you interacted with people that long.” The movement stopped and she opened the wall to a less impressive looking floor. “You’ll stay here until she sends for you again.”


“You don’t sound happy about that,” said Akton as they stepped onto clean stone floors. These were not polished, but the windows at the end of the corridor were similar, letting in afternoon light.


Chapter 65