Until The Ice Breaks

Life without love is a scary, cold and brittle place. A place no one would desire to live in. Since the disappearance of her mother over a decade ago that's all Uki Alnuri has ever known. Each day a chore to keep her father happy and live hidden, outcast from the world. River water and deer meat only sustains life, it doesn't enrich it and that is the one thing she needs, the one thing she craves for every day. The only trickle she is allowed is found when she travels to a nearby market where an old man encourages her to hide honeyed berries beneath the folds of her cloak with a gentle smile.

Her life hasn't changed in years. Until she meets a boy who she believes to be completely unimportant. Until her father finds out and her world is thrust into chaos.

A boy who has spent his life running and a girl who has spent her life hiding. What horrors lie in their past and what torment lies in their future. With spells bound around them both, the web is cast so wide there is no way to know where is safe. If you don't know anywhere safe the only smart thing to do is assume everywhere isn't.

Uki was quiet and placid when she needed to be but that is not what the world requires of her now. She must become something more.

Within her the beast takes a careful step. Then another.