A Dowry of Frost and Iron

A girl with a secret. A king with a frozen heart. A bargain that will burn the world.

On Solstice Eve, the Wild Hunt rides for a tithe. Usually, they take grain or gold. This year, the Lord of the Hunt demands a child.

Briar has spent her life hiding the forbidden fire magic that runs in her veins, terrified that the village will discover what she is. But when the riders come for her little sister, Elara steps out of the shadows. She offers the monster a trade: herself for the girl.

She expects death. She expects to be drained dry by the vampires and dark fae of the Under-Realm.

She does not expect Vorian.

The Lord of the Court of Bone is ancient, lethal, and starving. His frozen realm is dying, and Briar's fire is the only thing that can save it. He doesn't just want a prisoner; he wants an anchor. To survive the void, she must let him bind her—body, blood, and soul.

Briar thought she was sacrificing herself to a monster. She didn't realize that even monsters need a Queen.

Enter the world of NIGHTBORNE with this scorching prequel novella—a tale of sacrifice, obsession, and the dark delight of surrendering to the storm.

A high heat short story for dark fantasy lovers.