Page 108 of King of Fire and Flames

“How do you feel?” Ari asked, her fingers pressing against the pulse at his neck, her golden eyes scanning his glyphs as they sparked back to life.

“Melaya? Where is he?” Arrow asked, pushing onto his elbows.

“Gone,” replied Esen. “Estella pulled him through a cosmic void, a massive black hole in the sky that I pray he can never return from. And Azarn and his horrible son are dead. So that’s something.”

“A lot more than something.” Slowly, Arrow looked at each of us, his eyes shining bright. “My Aldara, Ari, Raiden, Esen, and Zaret, you’re all safe. Every one of you. Which means, in answer to your question, Sayeeda, I feel fucking fantastic. Good as new.”

“What about me?” asked a breathy voice near my ear. “Are you pleased I’m still here?”

My hair fluttered over my face as the ghost girl appeared, bringing with her a gust of cooler air.

Squinting, Arrow frowned. “Oh, shit. Is that Ruhh?”

“It’s all right,” I soothed. “The little turncoat is on our side now.”

“Gold help us, then,” Arrow rumbled, lurching onto his feet in one ungraceful movement. He swayed, and I held my breath as Raiden moved to his side, ready to catch him if needed.

“Come,” Arrow said, offering me his hand. “Let’s survey the damage.”

Slowly, we weaved through piles of ash, countless spot fires, and the misshapen bodies of fallen soldiers. He led me up the dais stairs, and then onto Azarn’s throne, drawing me onto his lap.

Sweeping his palm across the scene before us, he said, “Not long ago the king of this land used you for his entertainment, and now, you’re the Queen of Fire and Flames.”

My gaze skimmed his strong jaw, the firelight glinting over the beginnings of stubble. Dark smudges rimmed his eyes like kohl. He looked exhausted. Relieved. Relaxed. Like a desert lion after a difficult but satisfying hunt.

A laugh burst out of me. “Taln already has a queen.”

“Estella? She is now free to return to her lover in the Crystal Realm. I’d bet my life she’ll renounce the crown.”

“Please don’t make stupid wagers. You were so close to death, Arrow. And if not for Ari’s quick thinking and the gold serum she was smart enough to carry with her, you would have no life to bet with. Why would Estella hand her crown to me?”

He scratched his chin, stroking my hip with his other hand. “Think of Sun Realm succession like a pack of brutal werehogs fighting over a bone. As Azarn’s killer, I take his place at the head of the pack and can claim ownership of everything around me.”

“And that means?”

He waved his hand between us. “Behold, the new King of Fire and Flames and his lady wife, the queen.”

“Wife? Unless I slept through a ceremony, we’re not married.”

“Not yet. But we will fix that shortly. If you’ll have me, of course.” His smile turned into a smirk. “But then again, why would you not?” He sobered as he trailed a finger through the gore on my neck. “Is any of this blood yours?”

“Barely any. I feel wonderful, in fact. Tired, but so happy, Arrow. We did it. Azarn is dead and Melaya’s gone.”

Appearing fully recovered, Estella walked through the arena, mounted the stairs, and sat cross-legged on the dais beside Azarn’s throne. “Discussing your plans for this miserable realm?” she asked.

“Our only plan is to fulfill your wishes,” replied Arrow. “Whatever they may be.”

“I wish to return to the Crystal Realm. To my home.”

“I suspected you would. Will you stay for a while to help ease the court through the transition?” he said.

The queen hugged her knees to her chest and sighed. “Yes, of course.”

I leaned forward. “How will the kingdom survive without the twin mages?”

“Quite well. Melaya and Nukala wrote their own legends into our history books centuries ago and have played the rulers of Taln like puppets ever since. Veins of fire bubble beneath the kingdom’s soil, heating the water, fertilizing the plants and trees, and blessing the fire fae with magic. With Melaya gone, the people must build their natural power, the power that the mage’s magic curtailed. We must train their magical skills as we would strengthen soldiers’ muscles for battle.”

Estella stood up, rubbing her bruised arms. “I must return to the palace and see to the courtiers. And you two have somewhere else you wish to be, I think.”

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