Survival demands perseverance and forgiveness. Joining the enemy of my enemy may be the first step in achieving it.
When 17-year-old Milla Solara sets out with her parents to claim a land grant promised to them, she dreams of building a new life on fertile soil. Those dreams turn to dust when she returns from a failed hunt to find their camp in ruins and splattered with blood.
The unforgiving desert stretches before her, with nothing but a canteen of water, a few meager supplies, and the weight of grief pressing down on her.
Searing heat and scarcity of resources are nothing compared to the dangers that lurk beyond the next dune.
A dragon stalks her every move. One she believes killed her parents.
Yet, the dragon doesn’t attack. Instead, it offers small mercies—an oasis when she’s parched, shelter from the burning sun, a morsel of food when starvation threatens. Never enough to guarantee her survival.
Is the dragon toying with her, prolonging her suffering before he strikes? Or could there be more to this creature than the ruthless predator she imagines?
Milla’s journey is fraught with danger, not only from the dragon but also from desert scavengers—merciless bandits who prey on the weak. As she navigates this perilous landscape, she must summon every ounce of courage and resourcefulness to survive.
Her goal remains unchanged: to cross the desert and claim the land that was promised to her family. As she draws closer to the truth about the dragon and the fate of her parents, Milla must confront her fears and decide whether her enemy is the beast that haunts her steps or something far more human.
In this gripping fantasy adventure, Milla’s journey across the desert will test her strength, her spirit, and her very understanding of what it means to survive.
DISCLAIMER: some violent scenes in a battle arena
Genre: Fantasy
When 17-year-old Milla Solara sets out with her parents to claim a land grant promised to them, she dreams of building a new life on fertile soil. Those dreams turn to dust when she returns from a failed hunt to find their camp in ruins and splattered with blood.
The unforgiving desert stretches before her, with nothing but a canteen of water, a few meager supplies, and the weight of grief pressing down on her.
Searing heat and scarcity of resources are nothing compared to the dangers that lurk beyond the next dune.
A dragon stalks her every move. One she believes killed her parents.
Yet, the dragon doesn’t attack. Instead, it offers small mercies—an oasis when she’s parched, shelter from the burning sun, a morsel of food when starvation threatens. Never enough to guarantee her survival.
Is the dragon toying with her, prolonging her suffering before he strikes? Or could there be more to this creature than the ruthless predator she imagines?
Milla’s journey is fraught with danger, not only from the dragon but also from desert scavengers—merciless bandits who prey on the weak. As she navigates this perilous landscape, she must summon every ounce of courage and resourcefulness to survive.
Her goal remains unchanged: to cross the desert and claim the land that was promised to her family. As she draws closer to the truth about the dragon and the fate of her parents, Milla must confront her fears and decide whether her enemy is the beast that haunts her steps or something far more human.
In this gripping fantasy adventure, Milla’s journey across the desert will test her strength, her spirit, and her very understanding of what it means to survive.
DISCLAIMER: some violent scenes in a battle arena
Genre: Fantasy
Used availability for L Darby Gibbs's Bellyful of Bones