June Dal: 2 books

She's almost forgotten her name, so few people call her by it. Growing up in the streets of Chenon's slums can kill you, but loneliness will kill you faster. Can salvation come from the terrifying Cadre, the magical army she's always believed evil? Stonechild is a 7k short story set in the Children of the Vortex world.

Too many partners complicate an arranged marriage. Murder preempts peace negotiations. A stable boy discovers a long lost evil. A duel of honor descends into the absurd. And war looms on the horizon. Flamechild offers four stories introducing the world of Children of the Vortex where lace drips freely over rapier hilts, intrigue hides behind impeccable manners, and magic is feared.