The Dragon Mother Bellona, whose battle glories echoed across the realm, stood at her wedding only to be betrayed by her betrothed—and nearly poisoned to death by her own younger sister. She burned years of her lifespan to rouse her ancient dragon, reduced the imperial throne to ash, and swore to bathe the entire empire in blood. On the run, she purchased a mute, quiet slave, docile and entirely at her mercy. What she never suspected: this docile prey under her thumb was none other than the bloodthirsty Winter Tyrant of the Northern Wastes. He’d chained himself willingly, all to become her most faithful hound.
