Broken Flames (The Elemental Arrangement #1)

by M.K. Ahearn

My pale blue eyes almost matched the hues of the sea water and strands of loose hair fell over them as I glanced down. I inherited my mother’s hair, the color as white as the snow that covered our kingdom during winter. I looked similar to both of my parents, inheriting my father’s complexion, a beautiful tan which I could attribute to our Morwenian heritage.

My mother’s small shop was among these. She ran a small apothecary, providing remedies to the ill.

“You look perfect, don’t let those stuck up royals make you think anything less. I’m going for a ride at sea on Elios, but I’ll be here when you get back,” he said, leaving for his sea serpent. It was one of the nicest and only compliments I’d ever received from my brother. If he was being sentimental, then even he must be nervous.

Caspian

The capital was built on the edge of the sea, many canals of water running through the city and allowing small boats to travel throughout it. Access to water was vital to my people. We drew our power from it and used it to run our kingdom. Every kingdom was built and rose to power from abilities gifted by one of the four goddesses. In Morwen, our king was a powerful water manipulator, our gift imparted on us by the goddess Odaesia. It was similar in Abelon the kingdom of flame, Zetron the kingdom of earth, and Luheo the kingdom of air.

“I always forget that you don’t get to come here often,” my father said, watching me amused. “Maybe we can change that.” I wasn’t sure it was possible for my eyes to widen even more, but I could feel my face light up with delight at the offer. “I’d love that,” I said, still in awe.

“Don’t worry, he isn’t as scary as they say,” a familiar voice said from my side. General Macilin, one of my father’s fellow generals during the war, stood beside me. Out of the group, he was the one person I personally knew. His wife and children had joined us for many dinners in the past and he had a son similar in age to me. Growing up, our parents had joked that one day we would end up married. I never agreed. Levi Macilin was good looking, but he had almost no personality. It was impossible to hold a conversation with him. “I’m not worried,” I assured, trying not to say otherwise with my face. General Macilin shrugged and carried on with the group.

The king paused, surveying everyone at the table. “I met with the king of Abelon and we came to an agreement of peace.”

“That’s impossible, Abelon doesn’t allow peace without a steep price. What do we have that they could want?” an older man seated a few seats away from me asked. “We have her,” the king answered. All eyes fell on me, and I instantly tensed. “Me?” I questioned nervously. “Their king has a son who is twenty-three. Prime marriage age. You will marry the prince of Abelon. Their king will leave our kingdom untouched in his endeavors so long as we provide a wife for his son. He wants to ensure that when his son takes the throne, he has heirs.”

“You can’t be serious. I can’t marry the prince of Abelon!” I shouted, standing up. My father’s strong arm tried to pull me back into my seat, but I ripped free of his grip. “Are you not twenty-three?” the king asked. “I am but-” “Are you already promised to someone else?” he inquired again. “This is one of the highest honors being offered to you and your family, to bring peace to our kingdom.”

“Ungrateful,” the princess murmured under her breath. “Excuse me?” I snapped, glaring at her. All heads at the table turned, following my stare. The initial shock melted, my skin boiling from the intensity of my building fury. “The king is offering you a great honor. To keep the peace between our kingdom is no small role. Your family will be rewarded greatly, and you refuse?” the princess scoffed. “As if you have much of a choice,” she added under her breath.

“Why her?” my father asked, refusing to look at me. “The king of Abelon wants retribution for the Battle of Gila. His spies know of your daughter and she is the one he demanded.” He wouldn’t even meet my eyes. His gaze remained on the king, awaiting his next command. My chest felt heavy as I sank back into my seat. “Please,” I said, looking at the king. “They’ll kill me the moment they decide that peace is no longer what they seek or when their desire for revenge outweighs their need for peace.”

“Then you will have made a brave sacrifice for this kingdom,” the king answered sternly.

“When do I leave?” I asked, my voice weak. The king held my gaze for a moment before answering. “Now.”

Many people I passed kept their heads down. They knew who I was and I wasn’t trying to hide it. I wanted my people to know me, but most of them seemed too afraid to approach. The king was known for ruling with an iron fist and I was his heir. It was how he kept this kingdom safe and untouched by other powers. It wasn’t how I wished to rule, but I needed to set my own feelings aside out of necessity. How could I look these people in the eyes if I couldn’t promise them basic protection when I became king?

In this part of the city, there weren’t enough resources to spare on them. It was hard enough providing for a family, never mind all of these children. That was why I decided two years ago to bring what I could spare from the palace kitchen each week. Most of the food would go to waste anyway. There was a surplus of fruits, vegetables, and breads stocked in the kitchen, and a lot of it went bad before it could be used. No one would miss the small baskets I snuck out.

“I called you here because I think it’s time you take on more responsibility as prince,” he said, leaning back into the throne. This was everything I had been working for. My father would finally allow me to take on actual important roles, like sitting in on his counsel meetings or potentially leading training drills with the guards. He was finally seeing the worthy son I was.

“I will happily take on more responsibility. There is nothing more important to me than serving this kingdom as its prince,” I answered, hoping it was close to the answer he was searching for. “Good,” he said, stroking his long black beard, deep in thought. “That settles it then. You’re to be married in the next few months.” I tried not to let the shock show on my face. This was not what I’d been expecting at all. I’d always known I would need to get married and produce heirs, but with how busy my father kept me I hadn’t had time to even think about women or marriage. If this was what was best for Abelon, then I would do it.

“You will marry General Neroes’ daughter. We’re entering an agreement for temporary peace with Morwen, and this is part of the deal. They will help us clear the seas of smugglers and remain an ally to us.”

“How could you do this? Why would you let such vile people into our home, especially General Neroes’ daughter? He slaughtered so many of our men during the war!” The words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them. To question the king was a great offense, but to let a Morwenian into our home was an even greater offense to our own people. “What about Mother?” I questioned. Had he so easily forgotten the way Morwen killed my mother, his wife? “Your mother would want you to do what’s best for this kingdom!”

“Do I need to make this another lesson learned?” my father asked, rising from his throne. I cowered away, ashamed of my insubordination. The tiger stripe burn scars wrapping up the upper portion of each of my arms were a reminder of how cruel my father’s lessons could be. There was no use arguing against this. I could resist all I wanted, but his word was law. “No, your majesty,” I bowed my head, trying to hide my frustration. “That’s what I thought. I have my reasons for the agreement and choosing his daughter,” he said,

“Your future wife arrives tomorrow. I expect you to carry out your duties, and do not embarrass me. You will retrieve her from the docks when she arrives, and you will make it your duty to win over her favor. I will announce when the wedding will take place once I feel this woman is serving her purpose here.”

The palace oasis was tucked away in a rose garden, far from the peering eyes of palace workers. There was a small pool of water, built for cooling down on these insufferably hot days. “Nyla,” I called out to my sister as she resurfaced from under the water. “You know sometimes I question if you are the princess of the right kingdom.” My sister was constantly swimming in the dreaded thing. I never swam. I couldn’t stand the water. It seemed like fire’s one weakness and a constant reminder of our enemy, the Morwenians. Why would I purposely douse myself in it if I didn’t need to? I avoided swimming and the sea at all costs. Having this pool on palace grounds was like having a piece of our enemy within our walls.

As their eyes turned, I followed their line of sight. A tall, handsome young man strode toward the dock. He wasn’t dressed in the same uniform as the other guards. He appeared young to be in a position of such power. As much as I wanted to look away and let my resentment for this kingdom build, I found I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. His short, dark hair was slightly messy, and his shirt sleeves were pushed back, exposing his tan skin. I found it odd that he would wear long sleeves in this heat. His muscular frame towered over many of the guards as he passed them. Our gazes locked as he got closer and I was sure I could see hues of red and gold mixed into his dark brown eyes.

“Why do you look so smug?” The prince was now glaring at me. My smile vanished, turning into a scowl. I ignored the question. I would avoid sharing as much as I could with the prince until I knew more.

“We won’t be officially married for a few weeks or months even,” he said, waiting for me to react. A few months? What kind of sick joke was this? “What do you mean?” I asked. “The king will decide when the wedding is to be held.”

A loud, deep growl drew my attention to the sky. I wasn’t expecting to find the large beast that was perched on one of the towers of the palace. Its dark scales were a stark contrast to its beady red eyes. It watched me with the precision of a predator. “That’s Imry,” the prince said without even glancing up to the dragon. “Don’t worry, it isn’t likely she will eat you. But I can’t promise she won’t turn you to ash if you piss her off.” I didn’t miss the smug look on his face as he finished the thought.

The king stood from his throne, making his way slowly before us. A golden crown sat atop his head, the red rubies set into it glistening as they caught the light of the fires in the room. Pausing at the bottom of the steps, the king held his arms out wide, a menacing grin spreading across his lips. “Welcome to Abelon.”

“You will play your part here, or you will not live to see your kingdom again. You will marry my son and produce heirs. I have not forgotten the lives your father took,” he barely whispered the threat. I shuddered as the words sunk in. “Do you understand?” I nodded, afraid to speak. “Good,” he said, backing away. “I hope you find your new home to your liking.”

There was still one question that burned in the back of my mind, and as much as I hated to break our mutual silence, I needed to know. “Will I be allowed to roam freely?” I asked. “You’re the future queen. You have the freedom to go anywhere in this palace and city with little exceptions. But do not be naïve, I know all that goes on here and if you take one misstep, there will be consequences. This is your home now, you’ll do good to remember that,” Bellamy sneered the last bit.

“Where are we?” I asked, my palms sweating. “My chambers,” he answered, pausing at a door before pushing it open. Why had he brought me to his chambers? Was I expected to share his room? “This is where you will stay,” he said. My eyes widened. I had expected a small room or cell of my own. The prospect of sharing a bed with my enemy made my stomach sink.

“As my betrothed, you are expected to stay in the same chambers as me.” As my brows furrowed and nostrils flared he said, “Don’t worry you’re not staying in this portion of the chambers.”

“This was my private study before. I had it converted into a small room for you. We will still have to share a washroom,” Bellamy explained his face remaining stern. “That door is another entrance to this room. There will be guards posted nearby at all times in case you need them, but they have orders to let you roam as you please.”

“I want to see the rest of the palace,” I blurted, unable to stop my curiosity. His back was to me, and he remained still. He took another step toward the door. My hope faded of any chance that he’d continue showing me around. Freedom while alone would be useful, but not until I gained my bearings here. “I will show her around, my prince,” the guard wearing the flame patch offered. The prince scoffed, still making his way out the door.

I reached up to pluck an apple as we passed under a bunch of fruit trees. Letting my teeth sink in to the juicy fruit, I let out a small moan. It was the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. The crisp red skin giving way to the soft and delicious inside. “Don’t let the prince catch you eating those,” Cyrus joked from behind me.

“I’m only kidding. Those are just his favorites,” Cyrus explained. “But there are plenty. I doubt he’d even notice someone else was also eating them.” Letting out a sigh of relief, I gave Cyrus’s arm a playful shove the way I would one of my brothers. Realizing my mistake, I immediately took a step back. “I’m so sorry,” I began, already I had let myself become too comfortable with him. “Don’t be, I’m glad you feel like you’ve got a friend here. I’m sure this is already hard enough for you,” he said, understanding flashing across his face.

I let out a small giggle, realizing the princess had done me one favor. Inside the chest was a light blue gown made of minimal fabric. It was mainly strands of ribboned fabric, intended to wrap around my torso to just cover my breasts. My stomach was left mostly exposed except for one ribbon that wrapped around me. The bottom of the dress turned into a long skirt, the material light and somewhat sheer. If the light caught me the right way, the silhouette of my body would be visible to those watching.

The king may have signed a peace agreement with Morwen, but I knew better. Peace throughout the kingdoms never lasted long. Someone always wanted more. I’d witnessed my father’s welcoming of Koraine, a clear threat hidden behind his words. Her safety here was not guaranteed.

Already I was trying to plot ways to rid myself of her. If she disappeared or was lost in an accident, could Morwen really blame us? Would they retaliate for the daughter of one general? Was it worth finding out? I would never intentionally put my people in harm’s way, everything I had worked toward was to keep them safe. I’d have to be more clever than that.

I couldn’t tear my eyes from that damned dress as she strode in front of me. Her confidence only made it look that much better on her. This woman may be my enemy, but I wasn’t blind, she was beautiful. The light blue material was a perfect compliment to her tan skin.

“Try not to look so much like you might kill a guest,” I whispered to Koraine. “I haven’t decided whether I will,” she answered, glaring at me, those icy blue eyes like daggers. Why did I find myself staring into them? This woman had nothing to offer me, and yet I couldn’t help but feel a little intrigued. She had yet to try anything rash, like escape, prioritizing her people above all else. We had that single thing in common, doing what was best for those we cared about.

I noticed Koraine was particularly interested in one woman. She was standing on her hands in the center of a ring of fire. Bending her body into new positions, Koraine didn’t take her eyes off of her, even as I tried to pass her food. “They’re fire performers,” I offered, realizing she’d probably never seen anything like this in Morwen. “Do your people have anything similar?” She shook her head. “No, or at least never that I’ve seen.”

“Then what entertainment does your king have at his feasts?’ I couldn’t stop my inquisitiveness.

“These fish are a delicacy. They are the least common of what our fishermen bring in,” I said, sliding some onto her plate. “Really? Our markets are filled with these,” she answered, tilting her head. Our fishermen were no where near as skilled as those in Morwen, but I left that point out. Fire didn’t mix well with water.

“Why isn’t the queen around?” she asked, turning her head away from the king. My fiery temper jumped to the surface, my skin burning. Why would she bring up my mother? A queen her people had brutally slaughtered. She had to know what she was doing. Pushing me to my limits to see at what point I would crack.

“Do not ever let me hear you asking about the queen again,” I warned in a low growl. I held her stare for a moment, preventing my flames from coming out. I couldn’t let these people see the effect she had on me with only a few words. Pulling my hand back, I lifted my glass of wine, sipping the majority of it. The alcohol helped soothe the flames that were threatening to set the entire table on fire.

“Koraine, this is Nyla,” I introduced, startling my sister and causing her to almost spill her wine. I noticed something new flash behind Koraine’s eyes. All night her face had remained hardened, but now there was more. Was that annoyance? “Introducing me to a woman you’ve been with?” she questioned in a low tone, scowling. My sister started laughing, doubling over to grab her stomach. I rolled my eyes at Koraine’s baffled glance. “Nyla is my sister,” I said. Koraine’s eyes widened. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you.”

“Leave me alone,” she said, her voice rising. Nervously, I glanced around, hoping we hadn’t already caught the attention of others. “What? You don’t want your precious nobles to know how discontented I am? I’m here to produce heirs but that does not mean I have to like you, ” she shouted, clenching her fists.

“Do not test my patience here,” I growled. “Or what?” She questioned, her piercing blue eyes remaining fixed on me. I had to admit she was bold. I was close enough that I could feel her heartbeat racing, smell the vague scent of a fresh sea breeze on her skin. I brought my hand up to her cheek, rubbing a thumb along it. “Don’t make me answer that,” I said, my voice low so that only she could hear me. Koraine shivered. Dropping her gaze, she stepped back.

Walking one of the final halls before my room, I noticed the walls were lined with portraits. The further down the hall I got, the more recent the paintings looked. Pausing at one of the last ones, I stared at the work of art. The woman depicted was beautiful. She looked vaguely familiar. “The queen,” Cyrus said, mournful. Now I knew why she seemed familiar. Nyla was a spitting image of her mother. “Why isn’t she ever around?” I asked, my heart sinking, realizing I knew the answer. “She died a few years ago.”

Understanding washed over me as I remembered the prince’s reaction at my mention of the queen. At the time, I’d blamed his outburst on him being an asshole, but now I knew I’d struck a nerve. A twinge of guilt pained my heart. I had no right to ask about his mother. Bellamy may be my enemy, but I wasn’t heartless. No one deserved the pain of losing their parent.