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

“No thank you,” he said, trying to be polite. “We’re recovering from everything.”


“I’d say you’re melancholy,” said Ylenia, raising an eyebrow at him. “I’ll make sure you have whatever funds you need to participate in the Winter Burning.”


“We’re not sure we’re going,” said Talfryn.


Ylenia turned a frown on him. “I’m ordering you to,” she said. “Now, I’m here to get away from those…advisors.”


“You and Shanna seemed so close,” he said.


Ylenia smiled. “Oh, we are. But there’s a certain point where you need your space. And none of them interviewed you to my satisfaction. Doesn’t appear to stop them from making a mountain of inferences, though.”


Akton thought back to speaking with Shanna and the Kynithremyln on the slow journey back to Ylenia. He’d been very open about what had occurred with Basil, but Talfryn had been holding back. The first Akton himself had heard of a lot of it was on the way up to the cave.


Chapter 103