A Lake of Feathers and Moonbeams

Katya has always lived in the magical woods between the kingdoms of Shān and Lebedia. She keeps company with her crow and raven familiars, and her partner, the eccentric sorcerer Ivan. When a group of soldiers escorting the Princess Yi Zhen of Shān come through her woods, she is shocked to see Ivan taking the princess as his prisoner, and enlisting Katya's help. With reluctance, Katya agrees to help him, playing the part of a spy. Complications arise as she realizes herself falling for the captive princess. Katya finds herself entwined in a complex web of politics, grudges, betrayal and heartache, spanning centuries. At the heart of this web she must find out who she is, what she stands for, and what she is willing to sacrifice to stay true to herself.

A nuanced re-telling of "Swan Lake" from the perspective of the black swan, this story explores love and loyalty, how both are won, earned, destroyed, or betrayed.