What story does the forest keep and what story does it tell?
Upon her induction into the king's army, Tallethea Ousin is asked to transport her childhood enemy, the prince of Tuisedor, through treacherous forest in order to protect him from the Blood Queen of Slerian. However, nothing is as it seems in Tuisedor's dark woods. Once their journey begins, the two adversaries find they must work together to survive the malevolent intentions of the forest herself and reach their destination before time is up.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince of Tuisedor haunts his window, awaiting the arrival of war from two neighboring kingdoms, Slerian and Rughwen. Cast upon the throne, he must do what it takes to protect his kingdom, even if that means navigating slippery politics, bold princesses, and cunning queens alike.
When curses converge and curses are broken, what is left to be said of the soldier, the poet, and the king? It all lies within one question: what story does the forest keep and what story does it tell?
Well, it tells its own of course...
*Content Warnings*
Hello Darlings, I just want to preface that this book contains a few triggering themes including gore, horror, some sexual misconduct, abuse, mental illness, as well as some profane language. I want us all to have a safe and fun experience, so be well.
With love, E.g.
All Rights Reserved E.G. Valentine 2022
Most impressive rankings so far:
#1 in multi-perspective 2/14/24
#136 in self-discovery
[ONC 2024 Longlister]
[2nd place Pride Awards 2024 winner]
[Fantasy Winner of the EC Fiction Awards 2024]
[Pride Shelf November 2024 Book of the Month]
From the Forest, all life sprung. And to the Forest, it may return.
Umirin's people have lived within the ancient, powerful Forest since they had sprung to life there many generations ago. They respect the land they live off and worship the Heart of the Forest, the divine beast who sowed the seed it grew from long ago. Since its creation, the Forest had grown mighty. It is eternal. It is home.
At least it had been, until a great tragedy many seasons ago changed everything.
Now Umi's nation lives above the forest, in houses built on beams, to escape from the roaming beasts below known as Soulbiters. They are dangerous and deadly, but rooted to the Forest floor, only able to burrow through the soil. Above the tree tops, the people are safe from them.
But man is not made to live floating in the clouds, and there are times when they have to travel to the ground. These trips are done by the best warriors and hunters, but encounters with the beasts are inevitable, and lives are still regularly lost to their curse.
When Umi's beloved husband Shani is grabbed by the Soulbiters, he is prepared to do anything to save him from the gruesome fate that awaits if he is bitten.
Anything at all.
Even strike a horrible bargain with the beasts.