Allison Saft

It’s been centuries since a warm-season fairy in Pixie Hollow has crossed into the Winter Woods, and while most fear the legends of monsters lurking in the frozen lands, Clarion, can’t help being intrigued by Winter’s stoic beauty. But under the watchful eyes of the current monarch and the court's seasonal ministers, Clarion has little time to dwell on daydreams while the days to her coronation dwindle away. 

That is, until reports of a monster crossing from Winter into Spring make their way to the palace. Clarion sees defeating this threat as an opportunity to prove that she is worthy of her new role. But instead of finding a monster at the edge of Winter, she finds Milori, a young guardian of the Winter Woods. Together, they form an unlikely bond as they race to save their lands.   

But as their alliance warms to something more, they will discover there is a reason a warm-season fairy and a winter fairy must not be together. And the cost could be just as deadly as the monsters that prowl the Winter Woods.

Disney

Wings Of Starlight

Sophia

Then: something—barely a wisp of shadow—rose like smoke from the broken ice. It seethed, then coalesced into a form it remembered from the nightmare that birthed it.

 the darkness, it was nearly impossible to see, but its footprints fell heavy against the earth. Then, compelled by some horrible, ancient instinct, it lumbered toward the warm seasons.

Milori turned toward her at that exact moment, as though she’d called his name. Clearly, there had been no time to armor himself, because his expression morphed into something she didn’t know how to read. He looked almost dazzled, as though he’d been staring directly into the sun itself.

Heat flooded her face. Clarion all but snatched her hand back. “Sorry—and, um…thank you?”

“It’s not worth mentioning.” He flexed his fingers as if working out a cramp, then took a single step back from her. The snow crunched beneath his weight.

She couldn’t dwell on it, for when Milori joined her, he wrapped an arm securely around her waist. A flush crawled up her neck at his sudden closeness. No, she supposed she wouldn’t fall.

The scent of pine and cold water and the promise of snowfall radiated gently from his skin. His presence blunted the skin-crawling sensation of the Nightmares’ wrath boring into her. Like this, she could almost believe she was safe.

Without thinking, Clarion turned her face into the crook of Milori’s neck and tried not to notice the way his breath hitched.

“Yes. He’s beloved in Winter.” Yarrow paused for a moment, as if choosing her next words carefully. “I’m glad he found you. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen him so…hopeful.”

 and more, she dreaded leaving Winter. “Right. Good idea.”

“I’ll need to get my coat repaired first.” She plucked at a loose thread on her sleeve. “I’m not sure how long it will take. It took a few days for her to make it the first time.”

“I don’t mind,” he said. “I’ll wait for you.”

He was gazing at her like she was something to marvel at. His expression went soft and unguarded when he noticed her staring back at him, as though he hadn’t expected to be caught but did not mind it overmuch. There was no mistaking the wide-open yearning in his eyes.

He had looked at her like this once before, she realized: the very first time she’d crossed into Winter. She wondered exactly how long he had wanted to kiss her—and felt very foolish, indeed, for being so oblivious.

When he spoke, his voice was low and full of wonder. “You’re incredible.”

For perhaps the first time, she believed it.

Wings Of Starlight quotes

Join the club