PROLOGUE
Fire dances around me as the ones I love have turned on each other with hate fueling their hearts. I hold my hands out, fighting back the flames with the water within me, the magic pulsing through my veins.
He did this, because of his jealousy. He made the deal that sealed our fates – a fate I never wanted for any of them. Death was a dream that I never had, and yet it will forever be the nightmare they can’t escape.
Flames lick toward my feet and I move again, casting them away with a flick of my wrist. Even if they touch me I won't burn.He stands there sneering before shouting an order to his men. His creatures of darkness slink between the shadows and flames as they bring something out. I can't tell what it is through the maddening chaos.
Men and women stand behind me as we fight for everything we believe in, a fight we have never prepared for. Their powers weren't meant for war but as gifts, and yet, they fight beside me anyway. The stench of smoke, rot, and death lingers in the air.
Shielding my eyes from the heat of the flames with my hands, I look up, noticing what the creatures brought out. My knees crumble and the rocks beneath dig into my skin as I see my beloved tied to a pole in the middle of a platform. It's for him I fight, for him I destroy those that I love. For him, I will do anything. The flames inch toward him, inching instead of swarming because the betrayer wants me to suffer, to watch as my lover dies.
Reaching my arm out and knowing it's worthless because my powers can't reach that far, but I have to try anyway. The flames wrap around him and he screams, the sound echoes all around me. It's all I can hear, but I can't look away and I scream too.
Ice sprouts from my pain enveloping me, creating a coolness amidst the heat.
“A læ t neni pe , o a læ pengæ pe wæ lomo popo ra læ,” I scream into the wind, reaching for the dagger at my side. It's hopeless. I can't win this. Not now, not today. But I can give them one more gift.
one
CARNAXA
His ruddy fingers dig into her golden sun-kissed thighs as he thrust up into her, her skin grinding against the stone behind them. His oily hair falls onto his face as she moans against his neck. His hands come up to grab her wrists, taking them and placing them high above her head. The muscles of his back bulge and dip as he continues, their pace quickening. Her bangles clink together with each thrust, the same bangles thatmatch my own. Different shades of silver and gold that are gifts from our mothers who are no longer with us.
The man is of no real status but this is how Siphonie wants it. How she always wants it. Quick and to the point, not saving a lot of room for discussion or getting to know one another. This has been her preference for the past couple months, while he is docked in Antalis, before he sets sail across the seas again. She buys her pleasure here at the docks because it’s convenient with no strings attached. Her pale pink hair cascades down around her and finally, she grips his shoulders finding her pleasure as the man pants his release into her.
He slowly lowers her onto the ground and she straightens her skirt before tossing a few coins at the man. “Thanks!” she says over her tawny shoulder as the man bends down pulling up his trousers and grabbing the coins that lie on the edge of the wooden dock.
“Always a pleasure, Princess.” He smirks, running his hand through his golden locks.
“I'm not the Princess” – she looks toward me and smiles – “she is.” She takes a step back and he grabs her one more time around the waist pulling her deep into his muscled arms.
“You are my princess, at least when I am inside you.” He kisses her cheek again before letting her go and heads back toward his men.
“Are you ready, Naxa?” Siphonie asks me, trying to adjust her hair. Only those closest to me call me by my childhood nickname, most call me Carnaxa Althister, Princess of Antalis.
“Do I always have to come with you? I mean, honestly, what fun is this for me? Watching you with your man of the season.”
She laughs. “Well, my dear one, it's not fun for you. You are here to watch and make sure none of these men think they can get away with anything I don't wish to happen. I do have my limits, you know.”
We walk across the canal and back onto the main streets of Antalis. The ocean waves crash against the bridge, shooting drops of water onto us. Antalis is one of three kingdoms that make up the Northern Continent of Ashonera.
The guards glance toward us and smile as we pass. Their golden armor glints in the afternoon sunlight, our kingdom’s symbol, the trident etched in gold across their breastplate. Even though we are a mostly peaceful kingdom, the guards’ swords, and shields are attached to their sides. The soldiers are trained as if war is on our doorstep. Our naval fleet, theShayi Maka,is one of the best from what I hear. And according to Siphonie, our soldiers, both male and female, are trained for many other things as well, their passion in the bedroom the most widely discussed.
The ocean glitters aspitongibirds fly high and dip low to catch fish, the smell of it all surrounding us. The smell of home.
“Do you have limits? Because sneaking off to find pleasure with a fisherman instead of your husband doesn't seem to be one.”
She sighs and rolls her light hazel eyes. “Our marriage was, and still is, a political arrangement that your father put together. Rhenor does what he does, and I do the same.”
Siphonie and Rhenor were betrothed when she was but thirteen. She and Rhenor married two lunar years ago when she was eighteen, and he has been kind to her ever since.
“Rhenor is a considerate man.” She hooks her arm with mine as we continue to walk down the cobblestone streets. “Your father made sure of that. Rhenor is sixteen years my senior and he told me that he would never force himself on me, nor does he expect me to love him. It's why his sister raised me when I came into their household, he thought it strange to raise his future wife. So instead of a normal wedding night, he made me that oath and it's one he's lived by. He isn't bad to look at eithernor a bad lover.” She raises her hand to cover her eyes from the glaring sun. “He still misses her you know, his first wife. I think that's why he never expects me to love him. I don’t think he could ever love me like he did her. Maybe one day, but that day is not today.” Her hand tightens around my arm and she glares up ahead. “Get ready.”
I squint, looking toward where she glances, and see Ereon as he walks toward us, his chestnut brown, curled hair bouncing as he walks. His stunning white teeth show as he grins from between full lips. His warm, ivory skin glistens beneath the sun’s glare. His guards stand just three steps behind him, a custom from his home, the Kingdom of Shaston, where his father King Atlas rules. The Shastonians have a harder life than those of Antalis according to rumors. They are known for their prowess both on and off the battlefield and they pride themselves on it. They have a life without the peace of the ocean's water, living in the northeast of our continent, a place rumored to be cursed by the Goddess. The Cartilen Mountains separate them from the other kingdoms, and there is only one path that leads through those mountains, only traveled when necessary due to the creatures lurking there.
“Good afternoon, Princess Carnaxa,” he greets me as he bows at the hips, “BêlitSiphonie.” His off-white tunic is a stark contrast to the darkness of his eyes and hair. His eyes are such a deep brown, one might lose themselves in his gaze, ignoring any dangers that may be lurking within.
I curtsy. “Good afternoon, Prince Ereon. It's a lovely day for a walk.”
