Shrike, the fae Butcher of Blackthorn, and Wren Lofthouse, a mortal Victorian clerk, are bound together by love and fate. Their continued adventures (and those of their friends) are told in this collection of fantastical tales following the story of Oak King Holly King, including...MabonWherein Shrike and Wren repay their debt to the Court of Hidden Folk.Mr Grigsby's ClerkWherein Mr Grigsby finds a replacement for Wren - and perhaps more than he bargained for.Jack in the GreenWherein a certain Horse Guard wanders into Blackthorn Briar.Winter SolsticeWherein the Holly King surrenders to the Oak King.The Holly King's PerilWherein Wren and Shrike discover danger in the wilds of the Fae Realms.The Ballad of Daniel DurstWherein Daniel embarks on his authentic life in a bold new land.

Sir Lindsey Althorp, spectacularly wealthy baronet, has sat in the saddle since the day he was breeched.Aubrey Warren, threadbare telegraph boy turned engineer, has never ridden a horse in his life and had no intention of starting—until now.When a portrait-painting holiday in the country provides an opportunity for riding, Lindsey is eager to teach Aubrey the ropes. Aubrey works to overcome his well-founded caution regarding large beasts of burden. Harder to dispel are his insecurities about his scarred body in the wake of the Rook Mill boiler explosion—particularly as these scars are put on display to model for the painting Icarus Fallen.As the painting progresses, so do the riding lessons, until a potentially deadly accident may put a stop to both for good.-An equestrian-themed sequel to Mr Warren's Profession by Sebastian Nothwell.

Shrike, the Butcher of Blackthorn, is a legendary warrior of the fae realms. When he wins a tournament in the Court of the Silver Wheel, its queen names him her Oak King - a figurehead destined to die in a ritual duel to invoke the change of seasons. Shrike is determined to survive. Even if it means he must put his heart as well as his life into a mere mortal's hands.Wren Lofthouse, a London clerk, has long ago resigned himself to a life of tedium and given up his fanciful dreams. When a medieval-looking brute arrives at his office to murmur of destiny, he's inclined to think his old enemies are playing an elaborate prank. Still, he can't help feeling intrigued by the bizarre-yet-handsome stranger and his fantastical ramblings, whose presence stirs up emotions Wren has tried to lock away in the withered husk of his heart.As Shrike whisks Wren away to a world of Wild Hunts and arcane rites, Wren is freed from the repression of Victorian society. But both the fae and mortal realms prove treacherous to their growing bond. Wren and Shrike must fight side-by-side to see who will claim victory - Oak King or Holly King.

Lindsey Althorp, the only son of a wealthy baronet, has never worked a day in his life.Aubrey Warren was born in a workhouse and hasn't stopped working since.Buoyed by Lindsey's optimism and fuelled by Aubrey's industry, the two men strive to overcome the class gulf between them. But a horrific accident reveals a betrayal that threatens to tear them apart forever.

Fiore has a plan. Find a wealthy elderly gentleman, delight him until the end of his days, and retire on the resulting inheritance. It's the best outcome a low-born courtesan in the city of Halcyon can hope for.And it seems a perfect scheme… until a mysterious masked man upends it.Banished from university after a disastrous duel, Enzo wanders the city searching for scraps of the affection he's lost. His public mask conceals private agonies. A single night in the company of a courtesan, however, balms his wounded heart, and he finds himself returning again and again to Fiore, revealing more of himself than he's ever dared before.Furthermore, and more astonishing still, Fiore finds he returns Enzo's affections.But while Fiore wears no mask, he nonetheless has secrets of his own. And when the ghosts of their pasts return to haunt them, only the bond of trust between them will carry them through.

A hand reaching to you from the shadows. Six cards over-turned. Six enchanting queer tales inspired by the magic of tarot. The StarA lighthouse keeper who influences the fate of her people by wrangling misbehaving stars back into place must remedy her own constellation.The HierophantA knight who was disabled in battle gives up on asking the gods for healing and turns to something dark in the woods for help instead.StrengthA warrior is sent to investigate the rumors of a raided village and is forced to face the trauma of his past, and has to battle more than his grief after a terrifying discovery.The ChariotTwo witches vie desperately for a goddess's blessing- but the fortune they seek might be right in front of them.TemperanceA grieving mercenary searches for the tallest mountain to throw himself from, but a mystery and curious folk keep him grounded for a little while longer.The DevilA repressed Victorian finds fleeting release in a fae courtesan's arms until iron chains threaten their growing bond. Explore the forest, meet the fae, pray to the gods, shepherd stars, or fight creatures of myth. An offering for you, if you accept the Outstretched Hand.

The Kings of Oak and Holly have woven their fates together in an unbreakable bond. The further adventures of Wren Lofthouse, Shrike the Butcher of Blackthorn, and their friends continue in this collection of short stories, including...Bruises Bloom in Blackthorn Briar...wherein a moment's comfort is sought between Cemetery Gate and the Solstice Duel.Sentiment...wherein the Oak and Holly Kings return to Wren's ancestral home to retrieve certain articles of a sensitive magical nature.Bookseller & Bone-Setter...wherein an unfortunate accident forces Hullvardr to reveal certain fae truths to his mortal beloved, Mr Ephraim Grigsby.The Unveiling of Daniel Durst...wherein Daniel shows his true self to his guardian for the first time.A Quiet Solstice...wherein the Oak King yields to the Holly King.

Shrike, the fae Butcher of Blackthorn, and Wren Lofthouse, a mortal Victorian clerk, are bound together by love and fate. Their continued adventures (and those of their friends) are told in this collection of fantastical tales following the story of Oak King Holly King, including...MabonWherein Shrike and Wren repay their debt to the Court of Hidden Folk.Mr Grigsby's ClerkWherein Mr Grigsby finds a replacement for Wren - and perhaps more than he bargained for.Jack in the GreenWherein a certain Horse Guard wanders into Blackthorn Briar.Winter SolsticeWherein the Holly King surrenders to the Oak King.The Holly King's PerilWherein Wren and Shrike discover danger in the wilds of the Fae Realms.The Ballad of Daniel DurstWherein Daniel embarks on his authentic life in a bold new land.

Sir Lindsey Althorp, spectacularly wealthy baronet, has sat in the saddle since the day he was breeched.Aubrey Warren, threadbare telegraph boy turned engineer, has never ridden a horse in his life and had no intention of starting—until now.When a portrait-painting holiday in the country provides an opportunity for riding, Lindsey is eager to teach Aubrey the ropes. Aubrey works to overcome his well-founded caution regarding large beasts of burden. Harder to dispel are his insecurities about his scarred body in the wake of the Rook Mill boiler explosion—particularly as these scars are put on display to model for the painting Icarus Fallen.As the painting progresses, so do the riding lessons, until a potentially deadly accident may put a stop to both for good.-An equestrian-themed sequel to Mr Warren's Profession by Sebastian Nothwell.

Shrike, the Butcher of Blackthorn, is a legendary warrior of the fae realms. When he wins a tournament in the Court of the Silver Wheel, its queen names him her Oak King - a figurehead destined to die in a ritual duel to invoke the change of seasons. Shrike is determined to survive. Even if it means he must put his heart as well as his life into a mere mortal's hands.Wren Lofthouse, a London clerk, has long ago resigned himself to a life of tedium and given up his fanciful dreams. When a medieval-looking brute arrives at his office to murmur of destiny, he's inclined to think his old enemies are playing an elaborate prank. Still, he can't help feeling intrigued by the bizarre-yet-handsome stranger and his fantastical ramblings, whose presence stirs up emotions Wren has tried to lock away in the withered husk of his heart.As Shrike whisks Wren away to a world of Wild Hunts and arcane rites, Wren is freed from the repression of Victorian society. But both the fae and mortal realms prove treacherous to their growing bond. Wren and Shrike must fight side-by-side to see who will claim victory - Oak King or Holly King.

Lindsey Althorp, the only son of a wealthy baronet, has never worked a day in his life.Aubrey Warren was born in a workhouse and hasn't stopped working since.Buoyed by Lindsey's optimism and fuelled by Aubrey's industry, the two men strive to overcome the class gulf between them. But a horrific accident reveals a betrayal that threatens to tear them apart forever.

Fiore has a plan. Find a wealthy elderly gentleman, delight him until the end of his days, and retire on the resulting inheritance. It's the best outcome a low-born courtesan in the city of Halcyon can hope for.And it seems a perfect scheme… until a mysterious masked man upends it.Banished from university after a disastrous duel, Enzo wanders the city searching for scraps of the affection he's lost. His public mask conceals private agonies. A single night in the company of a courtesan, however, balms his wounded heart, and he finds himself returning again and again to Fiore, revealing more of himself than he's ever dared before.Furthermore, and more astonishing still, Fiore finds he returns Enzo's affections.But while Fiore wears no mask, he nonetheless has secrets of his own. And when the ghosts of their pasts return to haunt them, only the bond of trust between them will carry them through.

A hand reaching to you from the shadows. Six cards over-turned. Six enchanting queer tales inspired by the magic of tarot. The StarA lighthouse keeper who influences the fate of her people by wrangling misbehaving stars back into place must remedy her own constellation.The HierophantA knight who was disabled in battle gives up on asking the gods for healing and turns to something dark in the woods for help instead.StrengthA warrior is sent to investigate the rumors of a raided village and is forced to face the trauma of his past, and has to battle more than his grief after a terrifying discovery.The ChariotTwo witches vie desperately for a goddess's blessing- but the fortune they seek might be right in front of them.TemperanceA grieving mercenary searches for the tallest mountain to throw himself from, but a mystery and curious folk keep him grounded for a little while longer.The DevilA repressed Victorian finds fleeting release in a fae courtesan's arms until iron chains threaten their growing bond. Explore the forest, meet the fae, pray to the gods, shepherd stars, or fight creatures of myth. An offering for you, if you accept the Outstretched Hand.

The Kings of Oak and Holly have woven their fates together in an unbreakable bond. The further adventures of Wren Lofthouse, Shrike the Butcher of Blackthorn, and their friends continue in this collection of short stories, including...Bruises Bloom in Blackthorn Briar...wherein a moment's comfort is sought between Cemetery Gate and the Solstice Duel.Sentiment...wherein the Oak and Holly Kings return to Wren's ancestral home to retrieve certain articles of a sensitive magical nature.Bookseller & Bone-Setter...wherein an unfortunate accident forces Hullvardr to reveal certain fae truths to his mortal beloved, Mr Ephraim Grigsby.The Unveiling of Daniel Durst...wherein Daniel shows his true self to his guardian for the first time.A Quiet Solstice...wherein the Oak King yields to the Holly King.