The City of Dreams: (Vale of Stars Prequel Novella #1)

It starts with a secret.

When Ariella is banished to the river city of Pyscoria, she knows it's only a matter of time until someone uncovers the secret of her missing magic.

As the reluctant heir, she's the talk of the town, and the Blood can't wait to spin their webs around her. But Ariella wants nothing to do with the scheming aristocrats.

And for Ariella, being forced to mingle is a fate worse than death.

When help comes from an unexpected quarter, Ariella discovers the first real family she's ever known. And when her friendship with Prell blossoms into something more, she begins to discover the keys to unlocking the magic she was destined to possess.

But the Blood are not known for their patience. When her refuge is threatened, Ariella will need to make a choice: Does she have the strength to defy destiny and expectation, or will she lose the only love she's ever known?

A prequel novella, The City of Dreams, is a story of first love, blossoming magic and the power of choices. In a world of Stars and Blood, Ariella must confront her destiny - and the sacrifices it demands.

For fans of Laini Taylor and Naomi Novik's fairy tales.