A Queen Comes to Power (An Heir Comes to Rise #2)

by C.C. Peñaranda

“You make it impossible not to love you,” he said quietly.

“It was that way for a long time, until Marvellas broke the balance.”

You are not safe as long as she remains in your realm. None of you are.”

“With every evil born, a way to destroy it is conceived in turn. It can only be you. But you are not alone, Faythe.”

time didn’t tear them apart, his heart would, for it had always belonged to another, and the truth that churned his gut with self-resentment…was that he had used Faythe. Used her to feel again when he’d spent decades with a heart so numb.

Faythe would never know that she had saved him. From becoming so ice-cold in his silent misery and torment that he feared he would never feel again.

Then, as if he knew exactly where she stood, the general’s eyes slid sideward to lock directly on her.

No—while she gazed at the Phoenix crest on the shoulder clasp of one of the accompanying Rhyenelle warriors, she saw the bird’s wings catching fire in blazing hues of orange and red as it poised to take flight.

Faythe kept silent as directed, but Reylan’s stare was far louder than words even though she refused to meet it.

She couldn’t focus on anything except the eyes across from her that felt like a branding.

Every time she met those deep blue eyes, her body flushed at the odd attention.

“Warriors are more inclined to follow out of respect, not fear. An army is only as good as its weakest solider, and I don’t mean physically.”

Instinct told her to flee from his path, but something else, something that tingled every inch of her skin, kept her from the most basic and logical response.

Reylan paused, inhaling a deep breath as if he would claim her, devour her.

There are two sides: those who are fighting to live, and those who are fighting to conquer. But who wants it more? Whoever can answer that has already lost the war.”

Even if it meant her end and the war’s end became one and the same.

Sapphire blazed with gold for long enough the two colors were at risk of fusing to forge something…

He had been unable to get the bright gold eyes out of his mind since he first set his own upon them.

“Did you…did you find her?”

“It was yours, Your Majesty. I believe you have a daughter, alive and in High Farrow.”

I wanted desperately to aid Faythe, but I couldn’t until I knew you were safe. I couldn’t leave you. If I lost you, I don’t think I would survive it. I wouldn’t want to survive it.”

“You may have been born in High Farrow, but you will always fly with the Phoenix.”

If you only dare to take the leap and trust you will fly with the Phoenix, of course.”

“It means there is so much for you to learn, golden-eyed child. One born with wings is never destined to remain caged.”

“In your quest to stop the King of High Farrow, one of those close to you will forfeit their life.”

“The temple ruins possess great power on their own, but it is the joining of the three that makes up the Tripartite that must never come to pass in the wrong hands.”

With every evil born, a way to destroy it is conceived in turn.

“You don’t speak her name. You don’t cross her path. And if you dare raise a hand to her again, you’ll find yourself without it…perhaps without a life, depending on Faythe’s mercy.”

Feelings of care. So slowly, since the day he laid eyes on those golden irises he didn’t even know, until it became too late. He couldn’t turn his back on her now.

“I came back for her.”

“She’s an Ashfyre,”

“You’re wasting your time with me, Reylan. Let me go.” “I can’t.”

forgetting everything as he felt it. Felt her.

standing proudly above everyone else like a blazing firebird. Like a Phoenix.

Yet he knew in his heart he’d developed his own deep need to ensure Faythe’s safety, not only as a potential heir to Rhyenelle or as his king’s daughter…but as something else. Something unexplainable.

They see you, Faythe. I see you…and I hear you.”

Faythe couldn’t be sure what it was about the general that sparked her want to live.

“Don’t let them break your spirit, Faythe. Don’t let them

“Make it rise from the ashes, Faythe.”

It’s time for you to fly.”

The door to Faythe’s cage had been opened, and now all she had to do was dare to fly free.

“I promise to stand by you, Faythe Ashfyre. This day, until the end of days.”