The Zemnian Series

When Urho Kivinieminen, unwilling Seumi tracker for the Rutsi army that has conquered his country, is sent to scout Wolf Island, he doesn’t have much choice. The Rutsi have captured his homeland, and now they want this deserted island as well. But as Urho discovers, the island isn’t so deserted as they’d thought. Its inhabitants just aren’t human. Once he finds the dark forces that hold the island in their power, Urho needs to escape and convince the Rutsi to leave as well. But they are determined to have its magic, whatever the cost.

Dasha, Tsarinovna of all of Zem’, was expected to have great magical gifts. But instead of anything useful, Dasha’s gifts first manifested themselves as visions of terror and destruction. Then, just when it seemed she might be gaining some control over them, they abandoned her entirely. That’s unfortunate, because Dasha could really use some guidance right now. She’s volunteered to be her people’s envoy to the Rutsi, their warlike neighbors to the West. Dasha wants to make peace with the Rutsi, but the only way they want to make peace with her is by conquest—or marriage.

When Dasha, Tsarinovna of all of Zem’, began a dalliance with her halfblood steppe guard Alik while on a mission of peace to the warlike Rutsi, she never thought it would lead to carrying his spirit in her body. But when he dies saving her from an attack by a magical wolf, Dasha saves his life the only way she can—with forbidden blood magic.

Dasha’s mission of peace has taken a decidedly warlike turn. On the run from the Rutsi, she ends up in the village of Taikakylä, where magic flows strongly between sea, sky, and stone. But with the Rutsi determined to capture Taikakylä and Dasha herself, there’s no refuge to be found there.