Page 4 of King of Fire and Flames

A bag rustled at Esen’s feet as she rifled through it before tossing me a water pouch. Manners were wasted on her, and in captive situations such as this, definitely not required. So I drank deeply without thanking her.

I wiped my mouth and passed her the pouch.

Muttering, she shoved it back in her bag.

“Sorry, did you say something?”

“I said, we’re going to the City of Taln, not fucking Coridon.”

“What?” I lurched forward in shock, and she pushed me backward. “We’re in the Sun Realm?” I tugged on the closest chain, and the blind whipped up, banging against the window frame. “How did we get here so quickly?”

“The portal between the realms. And you’ve been unconscious for a while.”

“How did you get me in here? I don’t remember a fight.”

“There wasn’t one. A fire mage knocked you out the moment you drew your blade.”

I gaped at the black terrain, lit by columns of flames that shot from the ground at irregular intervals and sprayed sparks around a barren landscape. “What the dust are they?”

“Fire geysers,” said Esen. “A volcanic lake flows beneath the entire Sun Realm, and if you don’t watch where you walk, one will take you out before you even realize you’ve stepped on it.”

“And to think I first thought the Light Realm was a hostile place. This is much worse.” I studied Esen’s expression, the delight she was trying to hide, flickering at the corners of her lips. “So, why be helpful and share that information?”

“I’m bored and find it entertaining to hear your silly thoughts spoken aloud as the dire reality of your predicament sinks in.”

“Always so charming.” Grunting, I shoved the window open a little, hot air with a smoky tang blasting inside and an instant film of sweat sticking my leathers to my skin. I fumbled with the buttons of Arrow’s cloak and slid it off my shoulders, glad to be free of the rotten thing.

“Shut the window, you idiot,” growled Esen. “The blinds were down for a reason.”

Because it was probably the most useful command she’d ever given me, I did as she ordered. “Since you’re in the mood to chat, why are we going to the Sun Realm?”

Her lips curled. “You’ll be King Azarn’s guest at the Fire Court while we wait for Arrow to arrive. Although, the term guest might be a bit of a stretch.”

Arrow… damn him.

Of course I’d have to see the bastard again at some point. I should welcome the idea. How else could I stop his heart from beating if I didn’t get close to him? Close enough to smell his fresh, stormy scent. Touch his golden skin. Feel the heat emanating from his body. And stare into traitorous silver eyes as I remembered how much I hated him.

Self-disgust curdled the water sitting in my belly as I recalled how excited, how blissfully happy, I’d been to arrive in the Light Realm after traveling three days with the sole purpose of surprising him. What a naive, lovesick fool I’d been.

But not anymore.

I would never be so foolish again.

Wait… my horse…

“Where’s Luna?” I asked. “If she’s hurt, I promise the fae responsible will suffer the same fate tenfold.”

“Big words for a small captive.”

Gods, she sounded like Arrow.

He had said similar things, constantly amused by how much venom a small human girl could spit. With a ragged sigh, I mentally opened the door to the room in my brain that contained all the bad shit I never wanted to think about again and kicked the Storm King’s image inside it, turning the lock with a satisfying click.

“What? No smart-mouthed answer?” said Esen, her eyes dancing, clearly having the time of her life acting as my temporary master.

Breathing slowly, I stopped myself from smashing her nose with my chained fist, that prick’s words flashing through my mind, chiding me.

What a violent little thing you are—he’d once said, his voice teasing, fake affection lighting his stormy traitor’s eyes.

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