Broken Flames (The Elemental Arrangement #1)

by M.K. Ahearn

For everyone who thought Zuko and Katara should’ve ended up together.

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.

but the world was too dangerous to travel with Abelon always seeking excuses to invade other kingdoms. They were an unforgiving kingdom built of flames, hungry for more power and resources.

capital city of Alua

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

The walls were white with blue detailing and decor. A large silver chandelier hung above my hand, the candles placed on it unlit. On either side of me, large pots were filled with white flowers fully in bloom.

White and blue porcelain tiles spread for as long as I could see in every direction. Against one wall, a fountain was built spouting water from a carving of a sea serpent.

She only responded to my command.

“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,”

I never should’ve let Koraine go with Cyrus, she was to be my wife. He was going to ruin all of my efforts.

My eyes never left her, as she stormed inside. I brushed off the moment as nothing more physical attraction, unable to deny the beauty of my future wife.

The way the prince had run his gaze over me, made my heart pick up in pace, and I couldn’t convince myself it was fear that had sparked it.

“And don’t make a habit of coming up here. I won’t have my wife recklessly killed from falling,” the prince said almost possessively. Why did he care what happened to me?

He was posted near the entrance to the throne room and at least I knew he wasn’t with my betrothed.

“It’s thorns protect it from danger, keeping unwanted predators away,” I started. “But beyond that layer of defense, there is a beauty to be found. I think there’s more to you than just being the daughter of the famous General Neroe. I think you just haven’t let anyone in that far yet.”

Grabbing my hand, Cyrus placed a gently kiss to the back of it. I didn’t have time to react, and hoped no one else had witnessed it. “Well, you look stunning tonight,” he said.

It would’ve kept the king away, but I also knew deep down a part of me liked the way his hungry stare raked over me as we talked.

Part of me wished I had that. Someone to flirt with and spend the night with.

Even in my distaste for marrying a Morwenian, I couldn’t deny that one irrefutable fact. In a world of stars, Koraine was the moon.

“I suggest you do not ever let me hear mention of my wife on your tongue again, or you just might find yourself without one,” I snarled.

but I wouldn’t let him disrespect Koraine like that. I didn’t care about my own conflicting feelings for her. No one would speak ill of my wife and leave without a single mark to remind them never to do so again.

The urge to protect her washed over me. I wouldn’t let the flames touch her.

I let my hand wander to her cheek, holding it in my palm. I stroked her face with my thumb, lightly.

“Touching you is a terrible idea,”

She was a beautiful creature. If she hadn’t been from Morwen, I would’ve considered myself lucky to marry her.

I was going to be queen someday, and his wife. We needed to learn how to function as a pair.

“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!”

I didn’t miss the way my heart picked up in pace thinking about her.

Part of me was relieved to hear he was finally home. The other part still hadn’t sorted through what that relief meant.

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.

“Take your hands off your future queen,”

“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.”

“Because I don’t share what’s mine,” he said, the heat of his gaze burned into my back.

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.

“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,”

I’d acted impulsively kissing her wrists. If I gave myself fully to her, there’d be no going back.

I wanted to kill Cyrus for even touching her, but I knew I couldn’t.

That wasn’t the type of king I wanted to be. I wanted to know our people. All of them.

When I took over as king, she’d be a valuable source of information. I’d make her one of my closest advisers.

All I could think about was the way his lips set tiny fires across my skin. I wanted so desperately to forget. He wanted nothing to do with me. Yet, here I was again, wishing I could relive it.

hot leaf juice

I needed to get Koraine off the ship. My heart sped up, and a new urgency filled me. This wasn’t Luheo, it was smugglers, and these smugglers had my soon to be wife.

“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.

but I couldn’t ignore the way my heart had sunk when I saw her drowning. I never wanted to let her go again.

The fate the smugglers had met was a mercy compared to the torture I wished they’d endured for touching her.

Bellamy carefully set me down next to the fire, cradling me close to his chest.

“I want this, Bellamy. I want you. I’ve seen what type of prince you are. You care for these people, and you care enough about me to look after me. I thought a part of you wanted this too.”

Even after just waking up she still looked stunning. Her peaceful blue eyes met mine, and I felt lost in them for a second.

Without another word, she left the room for her own. I wanted to call out to her. Beg her to stay even just a moment longer, but I knew I couldn’t.

My heart mourned for everything I could’ve had with Koraine.