Kingdom’s version of Beauty and the Beast differs slightly from the traditional tale. For one, they have different names. Shaina is Beauty, and The Beast is Grr. Secondly, Grr isn’t cursed but born half-human, half-animal. All Kingdom queens have power, and Beauty’s is to make people see the beauty within of anyone she targets. When she uses her power on Grr, everyone sees him as a dashing gentleman.

This scene, illustrated by Daniel Johnson, is from my novel Will Be Done. The novel picks up at a point past the end of the fairytale, and Shaina and Grr are engaged. At this point, Shaina must raise an army. To do so, she must pass through a trial of ice, fire, and finally sacrifice. Will she forsake what she holds most dear to obtain a legendary weapon?

Daniel has outdone himself with this depiction of a crucial scene from Will Be Done. He’s captured Shaina and Grr as I imagined them, and their look of tenderness is perfect. And the ice and fire! What a spectacular rendering of these fantastic elements.