The SoulBorn Queen

The Forest was becoming a labyrinth of snow and ice. Having been monitoring the values of the thickest for an hour, I found my view from the bend of a tree branch to be useless. The howling wind carried heavy flurries to cover my tracks, but buried with them any evidence of possible quarry. Hunger had taken me farther from home than I normally would have dared, but winter was the difficult season. Going farther into the woods than I could follow, the animals had drawn in and left me to pickoff stragglers one by one, praying they would survive until spring. They hadn't. Wiping my numb hands over my eyes, I removed the flakes adhering to my lashes. Here, the deer had not yet moved on to find any telltale stripped bark trees. They would stay until the bark ran out, then moved north past the wolves' territory and maybe into the witches' coven_ where no mortals would dare go, not unless they had a death wish. Thinking about it sent a tremor down my spine, and I pushed it aside to co

The beaten snow covering the path leading to our village was dotted with shades of brown and black, the result of passing carts and horses. Amanda and Celina clicked their tongues and winced as we navigated it, carefully avoiding the particularly repugnant sections. I understood their reason for joining me—they had cast a glance at the hides I had tucked away in my satchel and quickly grabbed their cloaks. I chose not to engage them since they had not initiated any conversation with me after last night, even though Celina had risen at dawn to chop wood. Likely because she knew I would be selling the hides at the market today, ensuring I returned home with some cash in hand. They followed me down the solitary path meandering through the snow-blanketed fields, leading straight into our rundown village.The stone homes in the village were typical and unremarkable, made even bleaker by the harshness of winter. However, it was market day, which hinted that the small square at the heart of

With my chest heaving, I slammed the cottage door shut behind me and secured it with the iron latch.We were struck by the sound. A shake against the door that was powerful enough to dislodge the iron lock.My sisters Amanda and Celina sprang to their feet, their hearts pounding.We became still.A further setback. With a deafening screech, the lock bent inward.Although the relief was short-lived, I came to the conclusion that it was not a virelya.The door blew out.The doorway was blocked by a body that obscured the remaining twilight. Aside from its twisted horns and eyes—pools of ever-burning, endless green—it had an almost human appearance due to the dark mist that shrouded it.It released waves of intense, oppressive magic.The animal had to be the size of a bear, and his head was clearly wolfish, even though his body was a little feline. I was perplexed by the twisted, elk-like antlers that jutted out of his skul

Every step toward the line of trees was too swift, too light, too soon carrying me to whatever torment and misery awaited. I didn’t dare look back at the cottage. The cold air bit at my skin, but it was the fear gnawing at my insides that truly chilled me. With each step, I felt the heavy pull of fate dragging me into something far beyond my control. We entered the line of trees. Darkness beckoned beyond. But a white mare was patiently waiting—unbound—beside a tree, her coat like fresh snow in the moonlight. She only lowered her head—as if in respect, of all things—as the beast lumbered up to her. The creature, massive and horned, motioned with a giant paw for me to mount. Still the horse remained calm, even as he passed close enough to gut her in a single swipe. It had been years since I’d ridden, and even then, only a pony. But the mare’s warmth was a small comfort against my half-frozen body as I climbed into the saddle. She set into a walk, her movements steady. Without light t

Not a question so much as a venom-coated string of words. He glanced at the end of the table, where my empty chair stood.“And the summons found the girl responsible.”The golden-masked one gave a low, bitter laugh and pointed at me.“The Treaty’s magic brought me right to her doorstep.”The stranger whirled with fluid grace. His mask was bronze and fashioned after a wolf’s features, concealing all but the lower half of his face— along with most of what looked like a wicked, slashing scar from his brow down to his jaw.It didn’t hide the eye that was missing—or the carved golden orb that had replaced it and moved as though he could use it. It fixed on me. Even from across the room, I could see his remaining russet eye widen. He sniffed once, his lips curling a bit to reveal straight white teeth, and then he turned to the other faerie.“You’re joking,” he said quietly.“That scrawny thing brought down Andras with a single cold iron arrow?”Bastard, an absolute bastard. A pity I didn’t h