Dark Spirits

Not all magic is created equally.

In the wake of discovering the Queen's Library, Aren fled the palace terrified of what the future holds for her. A short life chained to a magic determined to use her however it feels. She told no one where she went, having no thought of direction as she stumbled across palace lands, seemingly drawn by a voice whispering in the darkness.

She awakes in a village the world has forgotten, where things are not what they seem. Her only companion is a healer, who knows little more about the village than Aren does.

Av, left in the wake of their night together, is forced to face the court as the lords and ladies prepare to head home for the winter.

When Para presents Anue, Aren's younger sister, to Av, he has to think on his feet and makes an excuse for Aren's absence that would keep Para from leaving with the young girl. He knows how Para handles ranked children, and upon laying eyes on Anue, he senses that same shadow.

He resignedly settles into his father's house to wait out the winter, determined to give Aren the time and space she needs, but as the snow deepens, Av feels the tension growing. His Queen is missing and in trouble, in need of help, but he has no way to find her or reach her across the snow.

In the darkness of winter, their strength will be tested. While the throne separated the pair for a reason, giving them a winter apart as Aren completes an important task, it offers no explanation as to why it must be done.

Or why, in the long, dark nights, Av hears queens crying in the darkness, begging for help.