Author’s Note

Seems silly to include an entire pronunciation guide for one name, so here it is: “Caissa” is pronounced “CAY-shuh.”

Really.

To those who have gone before.

MAP OF AIDAN

Chapter 1

CAISSA OCREN

Afternoon sunlight slanted through budding tree branches, dappling the evergreen ivy carpeting the olum grove. Tufts of dormant prairie grass pretended they had a place here. Late snowdrops bobbed in the breeze, heads poking through stubborn patches of snow. The warmth of the spring sun balanced the cold air, making for a pleasant Marso day.