King of Fire and Flames - Book 2 (Paperback)

Arrowyn Ramiel, the King of Storms and Feathers. Fae scum. Liar. Unforgivable betrayer and breaker of fragile hearts.... Or is he?

LEAF:

Trapped in the Sun Realm, I have no choice but to accept King Azarn’s offer and fight for a chance to survive. Only then can I turn my vengeful eye upon the fae who crushed my heart—the betrayer, Arrowyn Ramiel.

When Arrow arrives at the Fire Court, I learn things might not be as they first seem. Old friends and new enemies’ allegiances aren’t clear, and I must unravel a tangled web of lies and decide if I can trust the Storm King again—not only with my life, but my heart, too.

For lovers of groveling heroes and reformed villains. Dive in and read the conclusion of Leaf and Arrow's sizzling adventure!

* dark themes and spicy scenes
* pretend (g)rape by MC to fool Leaf's Sun Realm captors but full and hearty consent is actually given
* discussion of death of MC’s family
* captive/owner romance dynamic
* a fantasy realm with strong language and violent trials

BOOK 2 - KING OF FIRE AND FLAMES (contains spoilers for book 1)

CHAPTER 1

Leaf

My head smacked something hard, and I jolted awake, blinking at a blurry shape opposite me. A person? No, a dust-damned fae. And a hateful one, too.

Esen’s scowl materialized out of the gloom of what appeared to be the interior of a carriage. I stared at her pale face framed by blue hair as bright as a peacock’s feather, sharp pain stabbing my temples.

I couldn’t think straight.

What was I doing traveling in a carriage with Esen for dust’s sake?

The last thing I remembered was crossing the Light Realm desert, giddy with excitement because I was getting closer to Coridon.

Closer to Arrow.

And then…

And then what had happened? I couldn’t remember.

And where the fuck was I?

Heading to Coridon?

Or back to Mydorian?

As I shifted my numb legs, a bad case of pins and needles and an alarming thought struck. The pain in my temples reminded me of something I’d experienced before. It felt exactly like the aftereffects of fire magic.

The kind Quin had used to fight with in Mydorian.
I closed my eyes again, pretending to fall back asleep as unwanted memories slammed through my mind.
The sickening sound of my knife plunging into my twin brother’s heart.

Feeling weak but happy as I recovered in my bed in Mydorian, Arrow by my side. Bidding him goodbye in the forest as he and Raiden left on urgent Light Realm business.

Then the boredom of waiting for him to return for my coronation.

The unbridled thrill of traveling to surprise him, and the glittering beauty of the desert near the Auryinnia Mountains as Luna and I rode through it.

Esen and Raiden appearing in a halo of golden dust. A fire mage with flame-filled eyes. Then his horrible, unbelievable words—by order of the King of Storms and Feathers, you are under arrest.

No. It couldn’t be true.

Fiery agony seared my flesh, blistering my stuttering heart.

No, no, no.

It must have been a dream. A terrible nightmare.

But if so, why was Esen sitting in front of me, a cold smile on her beautiful face?

Not a nightmare, then. It was true.

On Arrow’s orders, the Sun Realm had captured me, and I was trapped in their carriage on the way to dust knew where.

A fucking prisoner once again.

I wanted to scream. Bash my head against the metal walls of the carriage.

If I could tear out my heart to stop it from aching, I would do it without question. Right now.

Forcing tears to dry in my eye sockets, I ground my teeth, slowed my breathing, and unfurled my fingers from the cloak material around my chest.

I had to get a hold of myself and remain calm.

Never display weakness.

Ever.

Cool metal banded my wrists, but the rest of me, including my ankles, was left unrestrained. That was a mistake. I could kick Esen in the groin. Butt her stupid head.

And then what?

Raiden, the fire mage, and at least two other riders were outside the carriage somewhere. I was trapped with no way to escape. Nowhere to go.

Fucking brilliant.

Was this my fate in life, to always wear an oppressor’s chains?

Opening my eyes, I smoothed my expression, clearing my throat with a pretend dry cough. “So, here we are again, Esen. You and me alone in a carriage, with another opportunity to bond. Get to know each other better.”

Her thin smile grew, but she said nothing.

Blinds drawn, the carriage was dark and gloomy, and I had no idea if it was night or day out there. It was warm, though. Too warm. Much hotter than the Light Realm.

Raising my wrists, I shook the chain linked between them. “Black metal this time. I assume it’s an improvement over the steel you used on my first journey to Coridon.”

“You’re finally awake, human.” Blue eyes scanned my body, lingering on the black cloak draped around me. I picked at one of its embroidered golden feathers, longing to tear them all off.

“What’s the chain made of?” I asked.

“Xanthanian metal from the outer Star Realms.”

I arched a brow. “The second strongest material in the realms? Well, I suppose the reaver elves won’t be selling you Auryinnian silver anytime soon.” My mouth twisted in a sneer. “At least you’ve finally stopped underestimating me.”

She snorted. “I know exactly what you are. The worst kind of fae, mostly human with barely any reaver blood. And you know what? That doesn’t make you special. It makes you a freak. If I were you, I wouldn’t waste my time trying to escape. Nothing will get you out of those chains, and your reaver magic won’t work here, either.”

Never one to take a liar’s word for the truth, I tried chanting the cloaking spell under my breath—auron khaban ana, auron khaban ana—but nothing happened.

Concentrating with every part of my being, I tried to will the skin-tingling sensation of the cloak sliding over my skin into existence, the warm feeling of security. But again, nothing.

Damn. Damn. Damn.
I was totally fucked.
Again.

Storm magic erupted on Esen’s palms, and she raised them toward me. I stifled a gasp. An unusual purple-brown color wove through the clear, blue light of her storm power. Fire magic.

How was that even possible?

I’d never seen magical elements from two realms combined like that, working together. Well, other than when Quin had fought me, fortified by the Sun Realm’s fire magic. But that didn’t count because, being human, he’d never had magic to start with.

Esen pushed her hands closer, and crackling flames danced in front of my face, so hot I feared for the safety of my eyebrows.

“Hey!” I shuffled deeper into the cushions. “Unless the asshole Storm King’s instructions were to burn me to a crisp before we arrive at Coridon, you’d better take it easy. Otherwise, stop toying with me and just get it over with.”

“I’m only playing,” she said as her magic struck the right side of my ribcage.

With a sharp inhalation, I shoved the agony into the section of my mind where my lost memories had lain hidden before the sight of my younger brother Van’s face triggered the spell’s release.

Every time guilt struck about killing my twin brother, Quin, I forced it into that same recess in my brain where I kept everything I didn’t want to think about or feel, such as the pain that thrummed through my blood right now.

And intrusive thoughts of Arrowyn fucking Ramiel. They were in there, too. Thousands upon thousands of them.

The King of Storms and Feathers had never loved me. He’d betrayed me. Cast me off like some used-up piece of garbage. Once, I’d considered him the love of my life, but now I knew him for what he truly was—the realms’ greatest liar and deceiver.

My forever-enemy.

And the fae I vowed to despise long after I had destroyed him, sucked the last breath from his poisonous lips, and buried him under the desert sand of his precious Light Realm.

His body would rot slowly and disintegrate, transforming into the gold dust that ruled his life and had ruined mine. I could think of no other reason that he betrayed me other than in sick pursuit of greater sovereignty over the gold trade.

It was his only obsession.
Other than me.

Thinking of him, rage and sorrow shook through me, his stupid cloak of feathers around my shoulders scraping at the fresh wounds of heartbreak. I longed to rip it to shreds. And I would. At the first opportunity.

Oh, Arrow.

How could you break me like this? After everything you said. Everything you did. And all you promised.
For dust’s sake, why?

A wave of nausea made me gag, but I dug my nails into the leather on the outside of my thigh, willing my limbs not to shake. Never would I let anyone see how badly he had hurt me. How grief and longing battled with the hate simmering through my blood.

The fae I had loved was now dead to me, and I would not let his ghost destroy me.

I had Van and the people of Mydorian to care for, a kingdom to put to rights. Against all odds, I’d returned to them once. And I would do it again.

Somehow.

Even if I went home in a body bag.

Esen’s magic burned hotter, scorching my neck over the Aldara mark that I wished I could cut from my skin. Burn it, I thought. Burn the wretched thing off.

She snarled, and the fiery whorls of magic disappeared, reabsorbed into the wasteland of her bitter soul.

I smiled at her face, a mask of constipated violence. “So that’s confirmed. You’ve been ordered not to hurt me. Good to know.”

Esen’s eyes narrowed. “As you are aware, I don’t always follow instructions.”

A memory of hot flames and ice-cold fear shuddered over me—the day she tried to push me into a vat of melted gold in Coridon’s gold foundry.

Wracked with bitterness because I’d unwittingly stolen her king’s attention, she had always despised the sight of me. Jealousy was indeed a curse, and unfortunately, mine to bear. Because at last, Arrow’s feral guard dog had me exactly where she wanted me. Trapped, with no way to escape.

Hers to toy with.

But fuck her… I didn’t plan to cower in fear, now or anytime soon. Not to her, and not to anyone if I could help it.

Squaring my shoulders, I straightened my spine. “Yes, I remember what a liability you were and still are to your king,” I said, scanning her tight leathers and molded black-and-red body armor as she glanced away and tucked a strand of blue hair behind her pointed ear.

As far as I could tell, no swords were strapped to her body or knives hidden beneath her clothing. Perhaps she believed the borrowed fire magic was enough protection. And if so, I hoped for the chance to prove her wrong.

I inspected the interior of the carriage.

Black metal blinds covered the windows, and a wan orange light emanated from a lamp hanging above Esen’s shoulder, saving us from traveling in complete darkness.

A bag rustled at Esen’s feet as she rifled through it before tossing me a water pouch. Manners were wasted on her, and in captive situations such as this, definitely not required. So I drank deeply without thanking her.
I wiped my mouth and passed her the pouch.

Muttering, she shoved it back in her bag.

“Sorry, did you say something?”

“I said, we’re going to the City of Taln, not fucking Coridon.”

“What?” I lurched forward in shock, and she pushed me backward. “We’re in the Sun Realm?” I tugged on the closest chain, and the blind whipped up, banging against the window frame. “How did we get here so quickly?”

“The portal between the realms. And you’ve been unconscious for a while.”

“How did you get me in here? I don’t remember a fight.”
“There wasn’t one. A fire mage knocked you out the moment you drew your blade.”

I gaped at the black terrain, lit by columns of flames that shot from the ground at irregular intervals and sprayed sparks around a barren landscape. “What the dust are they?”

“Fire geysers,” said Esen. “A volcanic lake flows beneath the entire Sun Realm, and if you don’t watch where you walk, one will take you out before you even realize you’ve stepped on it.”

“And to think I first thought the Light Realm was a hostile place. This is much worse.” I studied Esen’s expression, the delight she was trying to hide, flickering at the corners of her lips. “So, why be helpful and share that information?”

“I’m bored and find it entertaining to hear your silly thoughts spoken aloud as the dire reality of your predicament sinks in.”

“Always so charming.” Grunting, I shoved the window open a little, hot air with a smoky tang blasting inside and an instant film of sweat sticking my leathers to my skin. I fumbled with the buttons of Arrow’s cloak and slid it off my shoulders, glad to be free of the rotten thing.

“Shut the window, you idiot,” growled Esen. “The blinds were down for a reason.”

Because it was probably the most useful command she’d ever given me, I did as she ordered. “Since you’re in the mood to chat, why are we going to the Sun Realm?”

Her lips curled. “You’ll be King Azarn’s guest at the Fire Court while we wait for Arrow to arrive. Although, the term guest might be a bit of a stretch.”

Arrow… damn him.

Of course I’d have to see the bastard again at some point. I should welcome the idea. How else could I stop his heart from beating if I didn’t get close to him? Close enough to smell his fresh, stormy scent. Touch his golden skin. Feel the heat emanating from his body. And stare into traitorous silver eyes as I remembered how much I hated him.

Self-disgust curdled the water sitting in my belly as I recalled how excited, how blissfully happy, I’d been to arrive in the Light Realm after traveling three days with the sole purpose of surprising him. What a naive, lovesick fool I’d been.

But not anymore.

I would never be so foolish again.

Wait… my horse…

“Where’s Luna?” I asked. “If she’s hurt, I promise the fae responsible will suffer the same fate tenfold.”

“Big words for a small captive.”

Gods, she sounded like Arrow.

He had said similar things, constantly amused by how much venom a small human girl could spit. With a ragged sigh, I mentally opened the door to the room in my brain that contained all the bad shit I never wanted to think about again and kicked the Storm King’s image inside it, turning the lock with a satisfying click.

“What? No smart-mouthed answer?” said Esen, her eyes dancing, clearly having the time of her life acting as my temporary master.

Breathing slowly, I stopped myself from smashing her nose with my chained fist, that prick’s words flashing through my mind, chiding me.

What a violent little thing you are—he’d once said, his voice teasing, fake affection lighting his stormy traitor’s eyes.
Shut the fuck up, Arrow, I told the unwanted memory. I couldn’t care less what you think anymore.

Flashing Esen a serene smile, I said, “It sounds like you’ve forgotten I’m a queen.”

“Were to be a queen. What you are now remains to be seen. But regarding your horse, she’s currently tied to Raiden’s. They’re traveling behind the carriage.”

Raiden.

Another two-faced prick.

It was so quiet outside that I’d forgotten the bastard was along for the ride. Other than the whoosh of the fire geysers, the rhythmic thud of hooves and jangling horse tack, all else was silent.

I hadn’t heard a word from the other fae. Not the ones I couldn’t see—Raiden and the flame-eyed mage with crimson hair who was somehow blocking my reaver magic. And not from the two visible through my window—the pair with long black hair escaping their helmets, trailing down their chests like ink spills.

One of them appeared to be a dark-haired version of the crimson-haired mage. Perhaps they were brothers. And possibly even twins. Sorrow squeezed my heart as my thoughts turned toward Quin. Again.

Another enemy I’d mistakenly chosen to love and trust. And now he was dead, his serum-soaked flesh rotting under a slab of marble beneath the Mydorian Palace in our family’s ancient crypt.

I drew my mind away from the past and watched Esen shift her weight, something moving under her clothes on her right side. A small blade, if I wasn’t mistaken.

“Esen, if the Storm Prick ordered my arrest, then why are we going to the Fire Court?”

A new smirk tilted her lips. “As you know, Arrow broke the peace accord because of you. To make amends, he promised to deliver you to Taln himself. But when I heard that the City of Mydorian still thrived and you were supposedly their lost princess, I knew Azarn would be extremely eager to meet you. As predicted, instead of waiting for Arrow to deliver you, he ordered me to take you directly to him. So… here we are. Together at last.”

“What an interesting chain of events,” I said dully, keeping my expression blank as my mind buzzed with the words Arrow had said to me in Mydorian. The hardest thing he’d supposedly ever done was stand by and watch me kill my brother, risking my life in front of him.

A lie.

He had also stated he felt physically unwell whenever he was away from me.

Another lie.

He apologized for every wrong he’d ever done to me.
All lies… along with every tender word he’d ever whispered in my gullible ears.

I seized hold of my spiraling thoughts, forcing calm to flow through my veins. Making myself think with my head instead of my heart for a change.

“Does Arrow know that Azarn’s soldiers have me?”

“Not yet. But he’ll soon be told and will no doubt hasten to the Fire Court to witness your extermination.”

Yeah… I wasn’t convinced. This whole setup felt wrong.
The details of events relayed by Esen seemed murky at best.

According to her, Arrow had agreed to hand me over as payment for his past misdemeanors. She didn’t say he had ordered my arrest. And I knew better than to trust Esen.

Was it possible this whole thing was a trick? A plot to make me believe Arrow had betrayed me?

I looked out the window again, flinching as a geyser showered sparks across the night sky, peering toward the back of the carriage where Raiden rode. I couldn’t locate him, but I had no doubt he was there. I had seen him in the desert with my own eyes, and the presence of the Storm King’s closest friend proved the circumstances of my arrest had most likely unfolded the way Esen had explained.

“I don’t quite understand,” I said. “All the kings of the realms are now aware I’m the heir to the Earth Realm crown, yet they still believe Arrow has the right to trade me to another king?”

“Of course. Why do you think the elves keep Mydorian cloaked? Humans are weak and hated by the fae. Your brother was too stupid to realize Azarn was using him to maneuver closer to the reavers and their precious gold mines. And Arrow? He has always believed he owned you and that you were his possession. But now you belong to the Fire King.”

“You expect me to believe that Arrow would give anything he considered his to the fire fae. It’s not in his nature to share.”

“Oh, Leaf, did you never listen to the things Ari told you? All fae despise humans. But the fire fae hate Arrowyn even more than they hate you. In addition to the Bonerust incident, Azarn blames Arrow for the death of one of his sisters.”

My jaw dropped, and Esen’s face went blank as her brain caught up to her mouth, likely realizing she’d shared too much. “That’s enough bonding, as you call it. I’ve been kind and, as usual, I’ve told you far too much. I don’t know why your sad, green eyes elicit such pity inside me, but I’ll work harder to resist them in the future. Rest now. The journey is nearly over.”

Esen kind? And my sad eyes apparently made her feel sorry for me?

Impossible. She was never nice without an ulterior motive.

My mind raced like a rabid eponar across the desert—spinning this way and that with no clear sense of reason or direction—until one thought trumped the others. Had Esen perhaps slipped up and revealed something useful?

I already knew that Azarn hated Arrow with a fiery passion, but the information about his sister… about Arrow being responsible for her death… Well, that was new. And interesting.

Had Esen meant to share that with me? Or had she royally fucked up?

Leather creaked as she shoved the window open, poked her head out, and barked a single word. “Melaya.”

The red-haired mage appeared next to me on the other side of the glass. His brow was smooth, untroubled, but his dark eyes fixed narrowly on Esen with something akin to dislike.

She tipped her head in my direction and hissed three terrifying words. “Make her sleep.”

Twin flames ignited in Melaya’s eyes. He snarled and flicked his fingers near my face.

Scorching pain burst inside my skull, then a black wave crested over me.