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Dear Reader,

Of all the mythological creatures that have sprung from humankind's imagination, none has been more beloved than the unicorn.

Nearly every culture in the world has its unicorn. The ancient Greeks were convinced that the unicorn, which they called the monoceros, made its home in India. The Chinese had the qilin, a peaceful beast that could walk on water and harmed no creature save sinners. Sometimes depicted with a dragon's head, a deer's body, a horse's hooves and a lion's tail, the qilin most often made its appearance during the reigns of benevolent rulers, and was considered the king of all 'hairy beasts.' Similarly, the Japanese kirin was a creature of good luck and paramount among all living creatures.

In medieval Europe, the unicorn was a part of Christian symbolism and tales of courtly love. He represented fidelity, purity and nobility. He was fierce but gentle, wild and proud, but easily tamed by a virgin maid. His horn could become a deadly weapon or neutralize poison. In the famous 'Hunt of the Unicorn' tapestries, he is brought low by a virgin and wounded by hunters, but in the end becomes a contented captive, chained by a golden collar to a pomegranate tree…a symbol of fertility.

The unicorn has continued to inspire stories, novels, art and music even today. He cannot be destroyed by the cynical pragmatism of our modern world. But he remains elusive, mysterious, invisible to our mortal eyes.

But what if a unicorn returned to our world from the Faerie realm where he had taken refuge from the hounds and spears of men? What if he were cast out in human form, compelled to accept a new body, imprisonment…and the aid of a beautiful virgin determined to 'save' this strange man from a seemingly terrible fate?

Lord of Legends was based on these ideas. I hope you enjoy Ash and Mariah's journey as much as I enjoyed creating it.

Susan Krinard