Burning Roses

Rosa has had enough of wolves and woods, while Hou Yi would prefer to leave her days as a celebrated archer behind her. Neither woman is as young as the heroes of most adventures, and both carry the weight of choices that cannot be undone. When deadly sunbirds threaten the countryside, retirement becomes a luxury they cannot afford. Their journey brings old stories into new contact, drawing together fairy-tale figures and mythic dangers without allowing either woman an uncomplicated past. As they confront the threat, they must also reckon with family, sacrifice and the consequences of their earlier actions. This fantasy novella makes room for heroism shaped by regret as well as courage.