A Terrifying and Beautiful Place

- The New Writer Awards April 2020 Winner -

Etta spent years bombing and taking cities for the Febrian army, but once the War was over, she felt lost trying to build a life as anything other than a soldier. So she fled to Sorrol, one of the cities she helped destroy. Now she's trying to rebuild it and protect it from the war bands who want to claim what's left of the ruins, though most of the citizens don't welcome her presence there. One person who does is Li, a cheerful, easy-going soldier willing to look past her origins for the sake of sharing a bed with her.

But the strange new rhythm of this life is thrown off when Etta's former fiancé, Jack, shows up in Sorrol to work for its parliament. Even though it's clear he doesn't forgive her for leaving, they can't seem to avoid each other - or their lingering unresolved feelings.

Etta is torn between the easy, carefree arrangement with Li and the sweet, painful echo of the past that Jack brings with him. But it could all mean nothing if she can't protect the broken city from people who want to kill everyone inside it.