Homeward for a Spell

Sage has made her living as a ranger, moving constantly between adventuring parties, but she’s never had the chance to lead one. So when she’s offered the opportunity to hire a crew of her own in pursuit of a rare magical artifact, it seems a dream come true—until she learns that they’re headed into the most inhospitable part of the kingdom with winter looming. Still, it’s a way to finally put her name on the map . . . and how bad could it really be? Araphi has always loved music, in defiance of her powerful family’s priorities. All she wants is one last occasion to perform before she marries a man she does not love for the good of the family. So when she sees a poster seeking a bard for a party, she eagerly sneaks away to audition, only to discover that the party in question is no festival but an adventuring party, led by a woman she’s been fascinated with since she first laid eyes on her. It’s an unexpected twist, but if she takes the job, she’ll still be back in time for her own wedding . . . and how bad could it really be? What follows is a life-altering journey for them both, filled with danger and misfortune as their ragtag band of adventurers—most of whom have just met—must learn to work together to overcome the many obstacles before them, not least the explosive chemistry between the rugged party leader used to watching her own back and the pampered city-girl bard, who may be far out of her element but is beginning to feel at home for the very first time.