KFrancesca

In the lush forest kingdom of Verdanthe, magic is a crime punishable by death. Pandora, a quiet girl living on the outskirts of the kingdom, is different.

Born with a voice that could weave storms, heal wounds, and hands that could create plant life, Pandora has spent her life in silence, fearing that even a single note or flick of her wrist might expose her. Her father once told her that magic like hers can only end in fire. But when the ruthless king’s hunters arrive in her village, searching for her, she is forced to flee back to her home in the Nyxmaris sea.  

She is one of the last of her kind and the only one who can restore magic to the world. But the more Pandora uncovers about the her origins, the more she realizes that singing might not set her free—it might break the world apart.  

Torn between silence and rebellion, fear and freedom, Pandora must decide: will she keep swallowing the magic inside her, or will she let it finally be heard?  

Perfect for fans of lyrical prose, atmospheric fantasy, and heroines who wield quiet power, The Wild Song She Swallowed is a spellbinding tale of identity, music, and the price of unleashing your true self.

The Wild Song She Swallowed

The horn's deep wail rolls through the city like a warning bell. Every shadow feels heavier, every darkened alley suddenly alive with the possibility of pursuit.

"Stellaris is calling the hunt," Avis mutters. He grips my arm, his fingers tight. "We don't have time."

I swallow the rising panic and force myself to focus. "Then which boat?"

He scans the docks, eyes flicking from vessel to vessel. Most are too large, requiring full crews too slow, too easy to track. But then his gaze lands on a smaller ship at the far end of the pier. A sleek, black-hulled vessel, its sails furled tight, rocking lazily with the tide.

We sprint toward it. The wooden planks groan beneath our feet, salt air whipping through my cloak. I cast a quick glance over my shoulder no soldiers yet. But they're coming. I can feel it.

Avis jumps onto the deck first, landing light on his feet. He reaches back, offering me a hand. I grab it and haul myself up, nearly slipping as the boat sways.

"This thing doesn't even have its sails up," I say, breathless. "How do we..?"

A low chuckle cuts through the night.

A man leans lazily against the ship's wheel, arms crossed. His coat is dark, trimmed with silver thread, and a long scar runs from his jaw to his temple. His gaze flicks between us, sharp with amusement.

"Well, well," he muses. "Stowaways already?"

Avis doesn't lower his dagger. "We need passage."

The man raises an eyebrow. "And you thought you'd just take my ship?"

I step forward, pulse pounding. "Please," I say, hating how desperate I sound. "We're running out of time."

The man studies me for a long moment, then sighs. "What exactly are you running from?"

As if in answer, another horn sounds in the distance. Then footsteps. Close.

The soldiers have reached the docks.

Avis' jaw tightens. "We can pay."

The man grins, flashing white teeth. "Now you're speaking my language." He steps toward the ropes, loosening them with swift, practiced movements. "You're in luck. The Black Tide was set to leave at dawn. I suppose we can make that a few hours early."

The first set of soldiers appear at the top of the pier. They spot us instantly.

Avis grabs my wrist. "Get down!"

An arrow streaks through the air, barely missing me before sinking into the mast with a dull *thunk*.

The ship lurches as the captain who I realize still hasn't told us his name kicks away the last mooring rope. "You might want to hold on," he calls.

Then the boat lurches, catching the tide just as the soldiers reach the end of the dock. A few scramble forward, but they're too late. The ship is already drifting away from land.

For the first time in hours, I breathe.

Avis lowers his dagger, exhaling. The soldiers watch from the dock, their faces unreadable in the dim light. But I don't see Stellaris among them.

The captain claps his hands together. "Well then. I suppose I should ask who exactly I just smuggled out of the city before the king's hounds ripped you to pieces."

I straighten, still catching my breath. "My name is Pandora."

The captain smirks. "And the boy with the knives?"

"Well, Pandora and Avis," the captain drawls, stepping toward the wheel. "Welcome aboard the Black Tide."

He spins the wheel with a practiced hand, guiding the ship toward the open sea.

"Let's hope you're worth the trouble."