An illustrated, debut fantasy novella by UNIesque
The sweet refuge of the glade is all Elunai can remember apart from the companionship of its wildlife. Passing travelers share fragments of the surrounding lands with her, but somehow, no one can ever tell the maiden exactly what lies beyond the shroud of the trees or how to navigate the threatening wooded world. Their secrets wildly aggravate her curiosity, but she cannot wander out. She will not. Her only assurance of safety amidst the lethal forest curse is found in the daystar's rays that cover the clearing by day and the lampposts she must never fail to light at dusk. The shadow-warding power of light is undeniably the only defense against the surrounding malevolence - a power Elunai knows she'll never wield. And yet...an untouched gift from a nomadic paladin might suggest otherwise.
Young Adult Fantasy - Coming-of-Age - Cottagecore - Fairy Tale - Human-Made