The Tale of Kindred Flames (The Legends of Light and Dark #1)

Prologue

It is a tale as old as time that those who crave power are never meant to have it. That those who seek it in their crowns are rarely fit to rule.

The consequences of defying these laws are always dire—as dire as the current state of affairs in Medeis.

The realm had been plagued by corruption and greed for far too long. And like weeds, those who thrived on chaos spread their seeds far and wide, choking out what little purity remained.

‘The girl could be valuable,’ one of the councillors shouted over the growing uproar.

Another smashed his glass against the table to seize the floor. ‘It’s one versus millions! If Ortensia attacks Fogoya, other kingdoms will be dragged into war. The realm will fall apart. They all have too many allies.’

‘Signing off on this treaty will mean the death of the princess! She’s the only one to successfully conjure in hundreds of years!’

His opponent barked back, ‘Who needs these beasts? We’ve survived without them.’

The Elder seated in the centre cleared his throat, and silence rippled through the chamber. Turning towards the woman accompanying a member of the Committee, he asked, ‘Is the king likely to kill her?’

All eyes shifted to the bleak-looking woman.

After a long pause, she answered softly, ‘He’s been trying to conjure for decades. I don’t think he would jeopardise this opportunity.’

The Elder’s expression hardened. ‘All of you against the treaty—raise your hands.’