Syranna is a princess without a country of loyal followers. When she was a child, her father sent her away to live with her maternal grandfather for protection while he waged a war. Now the war is over, and one of the king’s former knights tricks her into returning to the realm with a message for the new ruler. Once there, she discovers the new ruler doesn’t want to let her go.

She’s not a woman to be dictated to and escapes to the moon-world that had been her mother’s home. Here she lives in the mist-laden, myth-shrouded land known as Mystonia. When Lord Marcus comes in search of his queen, he soon discovers that two of the most common myths just might be true. The little gray-haired man with the knee-length beard really is a wizard. And Syranna’s pets blow flame if you don’t handle them carefully.

Publishe’s Note: Originally appeared in the Crown Jewels anthology.