Broken Flames (The Elemental Arrangement #1)

by M.K. Ahearn

The prince dismissed the guard, pacing in the room. I waited for an explanation. Anything to tell me why Bellamy hadn’t shared this with me yet. “I’ll be gone for a few days at minimum,” he finally admitted.

“I’m telling you now,” he murmured, running a hand through his wet hair. Already I could tell his mood was slipping. He began pacing the room, his arms crossing tightly. “You didn’t think I needed to know?” I asked. “I’m to be your wife soon! I should know if my husband is being sent off to war!” “And I’m to be king someday! I do not answer to your demands, or anyone else’s for that matter!” Flinching, I tried to gather my thoughts. Any remnant of patience left had disappeared. This was no use. “You’re not king yet,” I snarled. “And you certainly aren’t my king.”

My fists were clenched as I strode through the halls. Rounding a corner, I almost ran into Cyrus. He was speaking in low whispers with another guard. The moment he spotted me he sent the other guard away. “What’s wrong?” he asked, searching my face for answers. I shook my head, knowing if I spoke I’d burst into tears. Realizing my distress, Cyrus pulled me close. Wrapping his arms around me, he tucked my head to his chest. Part of me knew it was wrong. Anyone could see us here and report it to Bellamy or the king.

But Cyrus had also become close to being a friend. I had no one else to turn to here. I couldn’t go to Nyla about this, Bellamy was her brother. After a moment, I felt more relaxed, the building tension shrinking to a tiny spark. As I went to pull away, Cyrus tightened his grip around me. The gesture seemed almost possessive. For a moment, I wondered if I’d imagined it. His hand found its way to my hair, pushing it back. It was all too much for me. His grasp, the way he ran his fingers through my hair, it was unsettling.

I didn’t want this. Pushing away again, I finally broke from his grasp. His face was a mix of surprise and disappointment. Frowning, he tried to take a step toward me again. “Don’t,” I whispered. “Koraine,” he tried. I shook my head, I didn’t want to hear it. My thoughts were mixed, and my confusion grew. I was betrothed to Bellamy. It could never work between Cyrus and I, even if I wanted it to.

My heart sunk as I recognized one of the men helping organize the weapons to be loaded. Striding over, I prayed I was wrong. That I had mistaken this man for someone else. When I finally made it, I knew that wasn’t the case. “Alaric?” I asked, pained to see Mariam was right.

“Go home,” I whispered. His eyes widened with disbelief, then turned to rage. “I am no coward, prince,” Alaric spat. This wasn’t the argument I wanted to be having.

“I don’t believe you to be a coward, but I promised your wife-” “You’ve seen Mariam?” he asked, his entire demeanor shifting. “Yes, and she’s heartbroken with you gone,” I answered, gently. “She needs you, Alaric. Those children at the orphanage need you. I’m commanding you as your prince to go home and take care of those children. They’ve lost enough from war and battles. They do not need to lose you as well. You’ve become a father figure to them. Don’t do this to them. Don’t do this to Mariam.”

“Thank you,” he whispered, bowing his head. “Go now, before anyone else sees you,” I instructed. He looked like he had more to say, but didn’t hesitate. Hurrying, he left the docks, heading for a street that I knew led to the orphanage. I sighed with relief. Knowing Alaric would be safe was one worry off my chest.

One particularly harsh night, most of the men gathered beneath the deck seeking refuge from the rain and lightning. Only the necessary crew remained above deck. I sat on the edge of a wooden crate, eating a particularly sour apple. One of the men passed me a bottle of alcohol. Taking a swig, I passed it along. It was the same potent alcohol that almost sent Koraine stumbling into the bonfire. I didn’t miss the way my heart picked up in pace thinking about her. Shaking my head I tried to push her out of my mind, needing to focus on the offensive.

“You should head back to your room,” Nyla said. “If Bellamy returns, he’s going to need you.” “Need me? But-” The princess held up her hand, cutting me off. “Please, Koraine. If you care even a little for him, you will be there when he returns. He’s going to need you,” she pleaded. I nodded my head. It was no use arguing with her. She was right, whatever had happened clearly took a toll on Bellamy. I may be the last person he wanted to see, but as his future wife I needed to try.

“What happened isn’t your fault Bellamy,” I tried, sitting next to him on the bed. I wanted to get a closer look at his burns. They needed to be tended to, and soon. “And how would you know that?” he snapped. “You weren’t there, Koraine. You didn’t have to watch those men senselessly slaughtered. And for what? For my father’s amusement, to teach me a lesson? So he can build his power even more? It’s unfair! I should’ve died with them.” “Don’t say that,” I breathed, my eyes widening.

“Your burns need to be treated,” I said, looking them over. I reach out a hand, but he grabbed my wrist. “Just go,” he said, his tone defeated, dropping my wrist.

I made a fast decision and before I could change my mind I wrapped my arms around his neck, and held him. I felt him pull back at first, but held tight. “It’s not your fault,” I whispered. I knew I couldn’t fix what had happened, but I wouldn’t let him face it alone. His muscles relaxed and I felt him lean into my embrace. “It’s not your fault,” I repeated, wishing he would believe the words. He sat in silence, letting me hold him. Everything I had been trying to figure out before no longer mattered. The only thing that did was that I was here for him now.

Hurrying through the halls after leaving the prince, I was barely paying attention when I bumped into a solid mass. “Ugh,” I complained, as I stumbled backward. “Watch where-” Cyrus started but cut himself off. “Koraine?”

“Listen-” I started. “It’s alright. I shouldn’t have moved so quickly with you,” Cyrus interrupted. “I know you’ve been going through a lot here.” I nodded my head slowly, unsure if he understood how I actually felt. He closed the distance between us, and I took a step back. I found my back pressed against the wall. Again he reached out to my face, moving the tiny braid that hung against my cheek to behind my ear. I flinched at his touch.

“Shhh,” he whispered, running his hand along my neck. The way he silenced me made my blood boil and my nose flare. A friend wouldn’t do this. They wouldn’t put me in this position. Maybe everything Bellamy had said about Cyrus had some merit to it.

Leaning in, he pressed his forehead to mine. I turned my head away, unable to look him in the eyes.

“And if I don’t want to talk?” Cyrus asked. “You don’t have a choice,” I snarled. I was sick of this game. If he wouldn’t listen to me, then I’d be forced to make him hear me. Enough was enough. “I’m getting married, Cyrus,” I pleaded. “Please don’t do this.” “Oh, come on, Koraine! You don’t even want to marry him. I’ve seen the way he treats you. Your distaste for him. I’ve been the one there for you since you arrived.” “I have to marry him,” I defended. I wasn’t sure why I was explaining myself to Cyrus. I didn’t owe him anything.

“Have to?” Cyrus laughed. “That’s a joke, right? He treats you like you’re some prize he’s won. Like you owe it to him. I could give you so much more. How can you not see that?” “My people are relying on me, Cyrus!” I was growing impatient and frustrated. “I’m doing this for them. Not because I wanted to leave my home to become queen of a kingdom that hates me. I’m here to protect my people. My family. I can’t do this, let me go,” I said, trying to push him away. “You’re a fool if you think he’ll protect your people,” Cyrus snarled, showing me a new side to him.

“I know you want this, Koraine. You’re just blinded because of him. I’ve seen how you look at me versus him. You want me and I want you. I won’t let him take you from me when he doesn’t even want you. I was willing to look past who your father was. Can he say the same?” Cyrus said. He was hurting me, burning me. His resentment toward Bellamy was out of control.

“Enough!” I shouted, hoping someone might hear me.

His hand let go of my wrist and grabbed my chin. The force of his grasp pained me. Forcing me to face him, he smirked. Was I imagining it or was he getting off on the power he had over me? It was disgusting. Vile. A tear slipped down my cheek. “Please, Cyrus. Stop!” I tried to say through broken words. I caught a flash of movement over his shoulder. “Take your hands off your future queen,” Bellamy’s deep voice threatened from behind Cyrus.

Cyrus dropped his grip on me. Stepping away, he smirked. “Bellamy,” he drawled. “How convenient that you’re here. Your future wife was just sharing how she prefers my company to yours.” “Leave,” Bellamy demanded. How could he remain so calm? Cyrus was taunting him. Trying to provoke him. Cyrus just shrugged. I wasn’t worth the hassle of fighting with the prince. Striding off, I watched as Cyrus glanced back one more time. The look on his face made me want to be sick. He looked pleased with what he’d done.

Bellamy sat in silence beside me. He didn’t dare touch me. I could tell he wanted to reach out. I saw the glances he gave my hand, but he didn’t. “You can conquer this, these feelings are only temporary,” Bellamy whispered. “What?” I asked, turning to face him. “You can conquer this, these feelings are only temporary. It’s what my mom used to tell me when I couldn’t calm myself down as a child.”

“I really didn’t know she had died. I’m so sorry,” I began. “It’s alright.” “It’s not. It’s unfair! You have every right to be upset, and I understand why you hate my people. If what I was told is true and they killed her just to get at your father, its unthinkable. Disgusting. I cannot imagine growing up without my mother. I almost lost my own father in the war, and I can’t imagine if I had,” I said, shaking my head. “You really didn’t know?” Bellamy asked, cocking his head at me. “No. We never heard the news in Morwen. If the king ordered the execution, then it was in secret. He never told us when she died.”

“That makes no sense,” Bellamy said. I shrugged. I didn’t understand it either. “I’m glad you came,” I said, looking at Bellamy. I tried to read him as my words registered. His face remained trained. “I’m sorry,” he admitted. “I should’ve told you I was leaving and I shouldn’t have pushed you away. As soon as you left, I regretted it.”

Reaching out, I grabbed his hand. I was surprised when he didn’t pull away. He gave mine a gentle squeeze, and we sat like that for a while.

“Why’d you stop him?” I asked. My back was still to him. I couldn’t bring my self to turn around. I was terrified of the answer he might give. “Because I don’t share what’s mine,” he said, the heat of his gaze burned into my back.

Ahhhh! Yes Bellamy!!

“I belong to no one,” I whispered, the confidence in my voice wavering. “Say that again,” he dared. Moving his hand, he tilted my chin to look back at him. My eyes found his dark gaze. “I belong to no one,” I repeated. This time more confident than before. I decided who I wanted and who I didn’t. This was my life, my body, and I got to choose what happened to it.

“Good, this time I believed it,” he said. “You decide your fate, Koraine.” He glanced to my wrist where Cyrus had burnt me. Reaching his own hand up he covered mine. Pulling it back he raised my hand to his lips, and trailed a gentle kiss over my burnt wrist. My heart raced, and my stomach felt like a million ember butterflies were flying around. I wanted to kiss him, but part of me held back.

“You ignite a different type of fire in me. One that I’m afraid if I give in to, I will never be able to let you go,” he whispered.

“So why didn’t you ask your wife to do this?” she pried. “You know her room is right there?” Nyla pointed down the hall that connected my chambers to Koraine’s room. “She’s not my wife yet,” I murmured. Nyla hit my arm. I winced at the sting of pain, and she instantly drew back. Her eyes widened with horror, realizing she’d hit my burns. “I’m so sorry,” she began, but I held up my arm and gave a small chuckle. “It’s alright,” I assured her. “She has enough to worry about, and I don’t want her dragged any more into our father’s cruelty.”

“You can’t push Koraine away forever. Sooner or later you’ll have to let her in, Bellamy.” “I know. Just not yet,” I said. Nyla frowned, but continued cleaning my burns.

“You summoned me?” I asked. “Yes, I’ve made a final decision about your wedding,” he said. Was he still going through with it or would Koraine be sent back to Morwen? I tensed with anticipation, waiting to hear his decision. “The wedding will take place in a few days and we’ll host a ball the night before to welcome the attendees to Raden. I’ve already sent the invites for the ball. I expect this won’t be an issue for you,” my father said.

“Also, you will have that girl obedient by the wedding. I want to hear the daughter of General Neroe pledge herself to Abelon when you say your vows,” he said his eyes narrowing on me. “If I don’t believe it, I will have her killed. I have no use for a liability in this kingdom. Not after your failure with Luheo.”

Asking her to marry me for the good of her people was one thing, but asking her to betray those people and pledge loyalty to my own kingdom was another. It’d only been a few months of her being here. She’d never abandon her people like that. “Loyalty takes time,” I started. “Luheo is preparing for war. We don’t have time. We need the power Morwen has. They may have agreed to peace, but they won’t jump into war for us. We need a way to convince them. Force them. Do you want our people to all end up like the men you took on that invasion when Luheo does show up?”

“I warned you, Bellamy! Don’t test my patience. You’ll agree to this, or this will be the last lesson you learn,” he threatened. “I don’t care what it takes. Win her over at the ball, make sure the kingdom believes you’re in love, and make sure she says the words I want to hear at the wedding. Fail and it will be your last time disappointing me.”

“I won’t fail you,” I conceded. “Good, now I suggest you go find your future wife. And make sure she does not embarrass us at this event. The others have been bad enough. Cyrus tells me you had to prevent her from falling into a fire at the fall equinox. Why were you not with her?” the king asked. “I was keeping the nobles happy,” I argued. “That is part of her role here too. She would do best to learn that fast. I expect better of you,” the king finished.

“So, which one of us is going to tell Koraine she’s about to be married?” Nyla asked. I gave her a pleading look. If the news came from Nyla, she might take it better. I couldn’t just waltz into her room and announce we were to be married in a few days after how I left her the night before. “Fine, but you owe me for this,” Nyla said, picking up another slice of bread and pairing it with cheese. “She’s not going to be thrilled about this.” “No, she will not,” I murmured.

As Imry ascended into the sky, Koraine’s eyes began to flutter open. “Koraine?” I asked, gently. Her head turned to me, those beautiful blue eyes meeting my own. “What happened?” she asked, her voice groggy. She coughed, a bit of water escaping from her lips. She’d almost drowned. One of the strongest people I’d ever met, and the water had almost taken her from me. She’d been stripped down to powerlessness. Unable to access her abilities. “You were thrown off the ship and passed out,” I explained gently.

“I took care of them,” I assured her. “They’ll never be able to harm you again.” The last part was a promise, as much as a threat. I’d kill anyone who laid a hand on her. She was to be my queen and I would protect her as such. Confused, she glanced over my shoulder at where we had just come from. There was smoke rising into the sky, but the boat was already gone. Koraine didn’t ask, but I knew she could guess what had taken place. Instead, she rested her head against my chest.

“Shit,” Koraine whispered as Imry flew higher. I could feel her body tremble against mine as Imry soared well above the sea. Slowly, I slid my hand to her thigh. Her cold skin was exposed where her skirt ripped in her struggle. Lazily, my thumb ran circles across it. I could feel her start to settle a little as she focused on my touch.

“I’m right here,” I whispered, trying to comfort her. I wasn’t sure if it would help, but I needed her to know I wouldn’t let her go anywhere. Instinctively, I wanted to protect her. Keep her safe. She was to be my wife. But was it becoming more than just that? I still hadn’t processed my feelings, but I couldn’t ignore the way my heart had sunk when I saw her drowning. I never wanted to let her go again.

“I told them you’d come,” she whispered weakly. Her words trailed off, and she passed out again.

A trail of water was left behind, as water dripped from both of us. If I wasn’t careful, I could fall ill just as easily. I needed to get my clothing off, and fast. As we approached our shared chambers I spotted a guard. “No one disrupts us or enters our chambers the rest of the night,” I ordered. The guard gave me a firm nod. If he wondered what happened to Koraine, he didn’t voice it.

“You got us back?” she asked, shakily. “Of course I did,” I answered, finding her bright blue eyes watching me. Sitting on the bed next to her, I ran my hand along her cheek. Her skin was freezing, and she’d started shaking again. Not only did she need warm clothing, but warm food and drink wouldn’t hurt either.

“Come here,” Bellamy said, in a gentle tone I hadn’t heard before. He reached out, wrapping me in his strong arms. Pulling me in close, he settled back down in bed. I rested on his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breath. It was much calmer than my own. “Nyla found Talay. She came back shortly after you drifted off,” Bellamy said in a comforting tone. Relief washed over me knowing my serpent was safe. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“Why’d you dive in after me?” I asked, unsure I truly wanted to know the answer. “I wasn’t going to let you drown,” he said, like it was so simple. Maybe it was that simple for him. I knew how he felt about water. I’d seen the way he avoided even the small garden pool. After he’d lashed at me for splashing him, I figured it out. He feared the water.

“Cyrus,” I growled. A look of amusement crossed his face. I recognized the three other guards with him as ones who were particularly loyal to the captain. “Prince, what a lovely surprise,” Cyrus drawled. “I would’ve thought you’d be spending time with Koraine. Where is your lovely wife to be? Did she grow tired of you yet?” he asked tauntingly. “Do not let me hear her name on your tongue again,” I growled.