Page 2 of King of Fire and Flames

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.

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