Of Winter, Scales, and Thorns

 Marked. Abandoned. Sold. Frozen.

Born with a bonding mark that should have been her salvation, Lumi is cast into servitude when her destined mate never comes. Fleeing into the shards of a blizzard to escape a fate worse than death, she’s rescued by the last being she ever thought would help her—a Draki, a dragon shifter from the enemy kingdom.

Trapped in a cave as the storm rages and a nightmare creature hunts them, Lumi discovers he carries a curse as brutal as her past. Trusting her is his only chance to help his people… but trusting him could cost her freedom. With monsters closing in and secrets clawing to the surface, Lumi must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice—before the weight of their pasts destroys them both.

Of Winter, Scales, and Thorns released in December 2024 in the anthology A Bite of Winter and A Sip of Trouble.

It is RE-RELEASING December 2025 as its own novella with new & deleted scenes!