King of Fire and Flames (Courts of the Star Fae Realms #2)

Chapter 4

Leaf

The merciless sun scorched my skin as heat coiled in my stomach, and flames licked between my thighs, slowly teasing.

I released a moan of bliss, my body weightless and heels digging into rough tiles, seeking stability.

Was I back in Coridon?

With a gasp, I shifted my weight, leaning back on my elbows and opening my eyes. I squinted through soaring columns at a brilliant blue sky, then down at the golden head moving between my thighs. Naked, I reclined on the Coridon pavilion, hips over the edge and my legs draped over broad shoulders that seemed to hover in mid-air.

A warm mouth laved my flesh, strong fingers digging into my thighs, permitting no escape. I knew that wicked mouth. Remembered everything those cruel fingers had done to me.

Arrow.

No way .

This wasn’t happening. It had to be a dream. Only a dream.

As I wriggled away from him, dark wings flapped, blocking out the sun and blowing hair across my face.

“Please,” I said, another glide of his tongue sending shock waves through me.

Chaos reigned in my mind, my thoughts tumbling over each other. Was I begging for him to stop or continue forever?

“Keep still,” he rumbled, his voice drawing a moan from my lips as he forced me to lie back, warm fingers curling around my breast and pinching my nipple, his other hand pressing my stomach, holding me in place.

“Leaf,” he whispered against me, his voice a delicious vibration as he licked deeper.

I shuddered, pressing my heels into the hard muscles of his back and teetering on the edge of a powerful climax. A moment ago, I yearned to escape. Now, I’d murder him if he didn’t finish.

“Don’t stop,” I said, and his head lifted, silver eyes burning through mine. Lips glistening, he smiled, and my heart shattered all over again as my brain caught up, and I remembered what he was.

A liar.

A betrayer.

“Why did you do it?” I asked. “ Why ?”

Wings beating the air, he took a deep breath to answer. But then a female voice interrupted my dream, the tone too cold to belong to the Sayeeda.

“Get up,” she barked.

Fucking Esen .

Blinking sleep away, I scanned my surroundings.

The vision of Arrow and his golden pavilion dissolved with the dust motes swirling through the dull morning light of my current prison.

Oh, joy. I was a captive once again. Even in my dreams, how could I have forgotten?

Esen threw my bedcovers off. “If you want to visit your precious horse, then hurry up and get dressed. And I heard you moaning. What were you dreaming about?”

I would never admit the mortifying truth.

“About how thrilled I am to be alive,” I said, pulling a black and red tunic over my head. I fastened my belt around it, and then stuffed my stockinged feet into boots.

Esen dangled the dreaded wrist cuffs between us. I held my hands out, and she fastened them quickly. “You’re fortunate Azarn decided not to begin the entertainments last night. A good night’s rest puts you at an advantage.”

“Who said I had a good night’s sleep?” I blushed, remembering this morning’s dream.

Fucking Arrow. I hated him. So why would my self-sabotaging mind torment me with a dream about him doing such deliciously dreadful things to me?

“I’m surprised the Fire King is letting me visit the stables.”

“I told him if you saw Luna, you’d likely fight harder and that if you had nothing to live for, you might give up and ruin Azarn’s fun.”

“Thank you, Esen. I appreciate that.” Studying the blue-haired fae, I stretched my back, working out the kinks. “And even if you’re planning to shove me off a cliff today and tell everyone I fell while trying to escape, it will certainly be nice to get some fresh air first.”

She snorted. “The Taln air isn’t very fresh.”

I thought about the smoky, sulfur-tinged breeze that whipped through my window and silently agreed with her.

We left the tower room and began our descent. Halfway down the stairs, Esen cleared her throat. “You said some nice things to me yesterday, so I’m returning the kindness. But don’t get any ideas about escaping. You’re chained, your reaver cloak is blocked throughout the city, and I have fire magic. I’d burn you to ash before you took two steps away.”

“At the moment, all I care about is Luna’s welfare. Let’s hurry before Azarn changes his mind.” I gripped Esen’s forearm and tugged her down the stairs, wondering if anyone had ever been nice to her before.

“Slow down a little,” she said as I bounced off the last step into a small foyer lined with black and silver tiles.

“Sorry. I’m excited.”

Taln Palace, or at least the areas I’d seen so far, was mostly dimly lit with few windows, and smoke from fire braziers and incense constantly watered my eyes.

Esen led me along confusing hallways that seemed to shift and change direction of their own accord, past fae wearing servants’ uniforms of black tunics and white aprons, before finally stopping at a random corner and opening a narrow door tucked into a stone recess.

We stepped out into a still-dark morning, the scent of charred wood and the sulfurous tang of minerals teasing my nose. I sneezed, and Esen laughed.

“You’ll soon adjust to the city’s smells,” she said.

“I hope not.”

Restricted by the chain, I stretched my arms above my head as best as I could, releasing my tight shoulder muscles.

To the east, black cliffs dropped into a windswept sea, the distant rhythmic crash of the waves against the rocks matching the wild beat of my heart.

A warm wind blew wisps of smoke around us as we picked our way down the hillside on a winding, stony path toward a flat area of dark earth and scraggly trees.

Unlike the vibrant greens and rich browns of Mydorian and Coridon’s golden streets and terracotta roof tiles, Taln’s landscape was a dull palette of black and gray, broken only by showers of red sparks from the fire geysers.

Their radiant glow bathed the land in shades of orange and red. But when the geysers weren’t active, even Taln’s grass and trees looked depressing, leeched of nearly all color.

Jagged rocks, worn smooth by the harsh elements, jutted from the ground at intervals, their surfaces aglow as if burning from within. Several times, I tripped, and Esen tugged on my chain, stopping me from falling on my face.

As we trekked through a tunnel of dark trees with gnarled, overhanging branches, the heat grew unbearable, sweat slicking my skin.

I wiped the back of my arm across my forehead. “The fae in Taln must bathe a lot. It’s so damn hot.”

“Only in the areas not regulated by magic. As I said, you’ll get used to it. Your body will acclimatize in a week or two, then you’ll be wearing cloaks everywhere like the rest of us.”

“I’d like to think I won’t be here long enough for that.”

Esen laughed. “Not looking forward to becoming the Princess of Fire?”

“I’d rather be crowned queen of my own realm. Anyway, Prince Bakhur isn’t interested in me. And if the sham of a marriage did take place, I doubt he or his father would let me out of the tower afterward.”

Bright blue eyes cut to mine. “Last night, Azarn clearly told you what he’s interested in—the gold that you’re connected to through the reavers.” A small geyser exploded only five feet in front of us, and Esen tugged me out of the way just in time. “Watch where you’re walking or your face will be burned off, and then your beloved horse won’t recognize you.”

“Face or no face, Luna will always know me. Arrow controls both the lightning weavers and the auron kanara. Mydorian can’t supply Azarn with gold. He needs the Storm Idiot on side, and I can’t imagine that asshole giving control of anything over to the fire fae. Can you?”

She snickered. “Other than you, no I can’t.”

The sun rose higher in the gray sky, burning most of the foul-smelling smoke away. Through the end of the tree tunnel, the silhouettes of distant buildings shimmered, blurring in the heat, like the body of Azarn’s ghost sister—the pitiful, but terrifying, Ruhh.

Our footsteps echoed against flagstones as we entered a large courtyard surrounded by walls covered in tumbling roses so dark they appeared black. Hoping to test their perfume, I strayed toward them, but Esen plucked me back and marched us over to a large, rectangular building made of dark wood and gray stone.

Two guards flanked the open wooden doors, trolls with long curling tusks and orange eyes that reminded me of Gorbinvar. A cold shiver puckered my skin as memories of laying beneath the blacksmith shuddered through me.

It was all my fault . I shouldn’t have escaped Coridon without a plan or an ally. Shut up , I told myself, squaring my shoulders and mentally slapping myself. I’d do exactly the same thing again if given the chance to flee Taln.

I regretted nothing.

Freedom was worth risking everything for.

Rows of stalls constructed from smooth, wooden beams and the same volcanic stone that the palace was hewn from lined the stables. Pulsating triangular symbols adorned its roughly rendered walls.

In a haze of dust, grooms worked at the far end of the building, sweeping hay and cleaning stalls, the sound of horses’ whickers and stomps filling the air.

“Luna,” I called out, and her white head appeared over the second stall on my right, her nostrils flaring and ears flicking forward.

I hurried over and pressed my cheek against the flat of her nose, breathing in her familiar scent as I whispered soothing words. I opened the half-length door and ran my hands over her coat before inspecting her feet, hugging her neck when I was satisfied that she was well and happy.

“She seems to like you,” said Esen, leaning a shoulder against the stall’s wooden frame.

“I raised her from a foal. Other than Ari, Luna is my dearest friend.”

“The Sayeeda?” Esen snorted. “So everyone despises me, but that icy gold reaver elf has no trouble making devoted friends?”

Slowly, I turned to face her. “If you try being nice for a change, you’ll make friends, too, Esen. And I also recommend that you don’t attempt to murder any potential friends. Remember our near-fatal gold foundry visit?”

She laughed and pushed off the wall with her shoulder. “You haven’t changed a bit. Still don’t know when to keep your thoughts to yourself.”

“I’d rather die than not have the last word,” I teased.

“Suit yourself,” she said, digging a piece of apple from a pouch and giving it to Luna. “I’d better take you back to the tower before you accidentally offend someone and get yourself stabbed.”

“Can I take Luna for a quick ride first?”

“No. You’d be halfway across the realm before I even realized I’d been left behind.”

“Come on.” I made a pleading face. “Or… are you afraid I’m a better rider than you?”

A flash of fire magic rolled off Esen’s palm, and I winced as it hit my shoulder.

“What was that? Did your power misfire? Or did you do it on purpose?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” She looked away, flicking her fingers as if in pain. “Let’s go.”

Promising Luna I’d return soon, I dropped a kiss on her nose and exited the stables.

We took a different route back to the palace, meandering through gardens filled with plants and trees heavily laden with fiery-colored flowers that were planted in intricate arrangements—sweeping spirals mixed with more formal rectangular patterns.

A red sun hovered in the sky, casting pinkish light over black statues of winged fae, their limbs tangled together in the midst of fierce battles. A stone phoenix spread its wings in the center of a fountain spewing liquid fire into a pond, its light too dazzling to study for long.

While chatting with Esen, I paid close attention to my surroundings, mapping out the landmarks near the palace. If I could escape from my tower room, the forest that ranged to the north-west was likely the best place to head for. Trees meant plenty of hiding places, which was great. Unless beasts with long claws and sharp teeth already occupied them.

Swatting away red-winged dragonflies that buzzed around our heads, we crested the hill, and the black spires of the fire palace loomed before us. I touched Esen’s arm to get her attention. “Thank you. You didn’t need to organize my visit to Luna. I really do appreciate it.”

“Don’t thank me. Remember you’re here because of me. If I hadn’t alerted Azarn to your identity when I did, then Arrow would’ve found you first, and your circumstances would be quite different.”

My gaze shot to hers, and I stumbled away from a shower of sparks that had erupted out of nowhere. Was I losing my mind or did Esen sound guilty?

And if Arrow had got to me first, would I be better off imprisoned in Coridon right now?

Better , I decided. Because I’d be closer to slicing the Storm King’s head off with the first blade that I got my hands on.

In a courtyard that led to the palace’s side entrance, a tall fae slid out from behind a stationary carriage, blocking our path. A flash of recognition jolted through me. The slight stoop, long auburn hair, and smug expression belonged to the Sun envoy I’d tried to kill with his own fork in the Coridon dining hall.

“Esen,” he said with a bow of his head before turning a pair of dark, accusing eyes on me.

“Neeron,” she replied, shifting to stand a little in front of me, an unmistakable gesture of protection.

“Ah, if it isn’t the little human fiend herself. I’m happy to hear you’re finally facing the consequences of your insults to both me and my realm.”

An aura of barely repressed fury sizzled around his body.

I pasted on a smile. “You heard wrong, Envoy. I’m in Taln to marry your prince. One day soon, I’ll be your queen. Queen of two realms, in fact.” I patted his arm. “I feel certain we can put our differences behind us. Don’t you agree?”

“No.” Pure malice flashed in his eyes. “If Azarn’s festivities don’t kill you, be assured that I will.”

“My magic is stronger than yours, Neeron.” Esen shoved him backward. “Touch her, and I’ll gladly turn the small, tightly wrapped package in your pants into finely mashed sausage and meatballs.”

Without another word, Neeron scurried away, leaving us free to continue through the courtyard.

“Esen, I’m confused. By your own admission you got me into this mess, so why protect me now?” I asked as we entered the palace directly into a large storeroom, then strode through the black-walled kitchen.

“You’re my responsibility,” she replied. “I’ll decide when someone is allowed to hurt you.”

“Gods, you sound just like Arrow,” I said. “Careful, or I might fall in love with you. I have a type, you know.”

She barked out a laugh. “You do realize what you just admitted?”

“That love isn’t bound by the shapes of body parts?” I teased.

She shook her head. “Your ability to joke when your circumstances are dire has always baffled me.”

“Each to our own coping methods,” I said. “And speaking of the prick, when’s Arrow supposed to arrive?”

I hoped it wouldn’t be too soon. I needed time to steel my heart before I could safely look upon the arrogant, deceitful face of my betrayer.

“I’m not sure. Soon.” She gave me a cunning smile as we stomped up the stairs of my tower. “Aren’t you looking forward to seeing him, Leaf? Even just a little?”

“No.” At least, I hoped I wasn’t. “And could you please try not to call me by the name he gave me?”

“Okay, human it is, then,” she said with another sly grin.

As the door shut behind me and locks clicked into place, I ignored the lunch platter on the desk and the beautiful patterns of sunlight on the walls, my mind occupied with fantasies about Arrow’s imminent arrival.

I pictured his silver eyes, wondering what color they’d turn at the moment of death. No storm magic enlivening the irises. No spark of life. Just staring blankly.

Perhaps dull gray or translucent white.

With my hand pressed against my chest, I collapsed on the bed, telling myself the only reason my heart pounded wildly was because I was excited that I’d soon see him die.

Nothing more.