Firebrand: Firebrand Trilogy, #1

By Kyra Dune

Carlan Andrassis is a Firebrand, one who can create and control fire, as well as a Lord of the second most powerful House in the Ten Kingdoms. He is also a young man with a dark secret that makes him afraid to use his power. But as a terrible plot plays out around him, he must learn to conquer that fear, or be destroyed by it.

Jada Suvari is a Firebrand as well, and daughter of the High King of the unified kingdoms of Garden. A spoiled, willful young woman with a quick temper, her world revolves around herself and her whims. But when a little harmless flirting with a handsome young knight leads to danger, Jada finds herself forced to face a truth inside her own heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shadow Portal Books
• Release date: Jul 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386770169

Kyra Dune

Shadow Portal Books is an ebook publisher offering full publishing services at no outright cost to the author. We also offer paid services to self published authors.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Carlan sparked a blue flame and watched it dance across his fingertips.  He was sitting on the far side of the hill so he couldn’t be seen from the manor house, not even from a third floor window.  It might still be too close, but there were times when he tired of skulking about in the woods.  After all, this was his home too.

Marlina slipped out from between the trees and started across the yard toward him.  She was a beauty with long, dark red hair falling to her slender waist and eyes as blue-green as the sea.  She was smart too, and could ride a horse like she was born to it.  She was his everything.

Carlan put the spark out.  He refused to allow even so small a spark of the fire when she was near, much to her annoyance.  There were few things he wouldn’t do to please her, and that was one of them.  It was simply too dangerous, for reasons he was unwilling to share, and he didn’t want to take such a risk.

What were you doing while you were waiting for me? she asked.

He supposed that she had seen the fire before he put it out but, for the sake of not starting that argument again, he pretended otherwise.  Nothing.

Nothing?  She raised a brow, making him worry she might bring the subject up in any case and ruin the day.  But she only smiled.  You’re alive.  You’re breathing.  That’s hardly nothing.

Carlan rolled his eyes.  All right, so I’m breathing.  Satisfied?

For the moment.  She sat in the grass beside him.  Though, someday, I think I should like to do something besides sit here and breathe.

Such as?  He put his arm around her shoulders.

She thought a moment, and then laid her head against his chest.  Such as flying away somewhere.

He smiled, loving the feel of her so close to him.  And where do you want to go today?

Waterfall.

Why Waterfall?  This was her favorite game and one he willingly played along with.  Truth was, she was not likely to go anywhere except perhaps back to the Lowlands when the time came for her to be married.  But Carlan didn’t like to think of that.

The way you spoke of it, it sounds so beautiful.

It is beautiful.  All right, Waterfall it is.  Maybe I’ll even take you up to the castle, introduce you to Her Royal Highness.  She’s a bit temperamental, but if you want to see fire power, you won’t get a better show.

He almost regretted saying that last part, for surely now she would want to speak of his fire again and why he kept it hidden so.  That was a story he had no intention of sharing.

Marlina was quiet a long moment.  Then she sat up and turned to look at him.  Let’s really go.

Sure, we’ll go right now.

No, I’m serious.  I want to go for real, not pretend.  Let’s take a gryphon from my father’s stable and just go.

What?  He laughed, though he could see by the set of her jaw that she was serious.  Run away?  We can’t do that.

Why not?  What do we have to hold us here?

What about our families?  Don’t you think it would hurt them if we up and disappeared like that?

We could write to them and let them know we’re all right.

There was something in her eyes, something frantic, that dissolved any lingering amusement within him.  What’s wrong?

Time is leaving us behind, Carlan.  We aren’t children anymore.  If we stay here, we’ll have to give up our dreams, give up each other.  That day is coming.

What are you talking about?  He leaned over and lay a hand on her shoulder.  Did something happen?  A band of fear constricted his heart.  He’d heard that in the Lowlands marriages were arranged young, but surely, even if her father had chosen a husband for her, it would be a few years yet before she had to leave.

Nothing happened, Marlina said.  But you know as well as I that we can never be together; not here.

Carlan averted his eyes from her intense gaze.  He’d never come right out and lied to her, though he had kept secrets.  But to tell her the truth now would hurt her and he had no wish to do that.  It was bad enough that they should sneak around this way to be together, but for him to run away with her, a Lowlander, he could never bring such shame to his House.

A shadow fell over them.  Well, look what we have here.

Carlan was on his feet in an instant, putting himself between Tarel and Marlina.  What do you want?

Why, nothing, little brother, nothing at all.  He gave Marlina a long look.  At least, not right now.

Carlan had the urge to knock that nasty smirk right off Tarel’s face, but he restrained himself. Young men of good breeding were not supposed to get into fistfights.  Not that he thought he could win a fight with his brother in any case, but sometimes he was sorely tempted to try.

Why don’t you leave us alone? Marlina said, glaring at him.  We aren’t interested in what you have to say.

Tarel placed a hand to his chest and gasped.  You wound me.  He dropped his hand to his side with a chuckle.  You might want to watch how you speak to me, Lowlander, you may come to regret it.

I’m not afraid of you.

Really?  Tarel’s eyes glinted dangerously.  Maybe I should remedy that.  He took a step toward them.

A chill rushed through Carlan.  It was his fire, rising to the surface, to the defense.  He pushed it down before it could become more than a cold feeling in his gut.  He’d not let it loose, not again.  Never again.

Tarel.  A sharp voice spoke.  Tarel stepped back as Gaden came around the side of the hill.  What is going on out here?

Nothing, Tarel said.  We were only talking, isn’t that right, Carlan?

Right, Carlan said.

Go back to the manor, Tarel, Gaden said.  I’ll deal with these two.

Whatever you say, Brother.  With a sly grin, Tarel turned and sauntered off around the side of the hill.

Gaden looked at Carlan, who averted his gaze, and then at Marlina.  What am I going to do with the two of you?  You could have at least had the common sense, if not the decency, to keep your little trysts to the seclusion of the woods.  This is no place for that kind of behavior.

We weren’t doing anything wrong, Marlina said.  Tell him, Carlan.

Carlan focused his gaze on the ground.  She simply didn’t understand.  She couldn’t.  Being the son of a lord put certain strictures upon him.  Such as not speaking out to Gaden in front of outsiders, not even her.

Go home, Marlina, Gaden said.  I won’t tell your father you were here.

Carlan continued to stare at the ground, aware that she was looking at him, giving him one last chance to defend her.  When he didn’t, she turned without another word and ran into the woods.

Gaden fixed Carlan with a stern frown.  I’m telling you for the last time that girl cannot be here.  You have to tell her to stay off our land.  Including the woods.  You aren’t supposed to see her.

I know, but it’s so hard.  I...  He looked up to meet his brother’s gaze.  I love her.

Gaden clasped a hand around the back of Carlan’s neck  You’re young yet, and there will be other loves, hard as that is for you to imagine now.

I...I don’t know how to tell her that.

Gaden sighed.  This is my fault.  I should have put my foot down against your friendship years ago, before it ever got this far.  I’m putting my foot down now.  You’re becoming a man, Carlan, and you must take on a man’s responsibilities.  If something...unfortunate should happen between the two of you...  Well, you can’t marry Marlina and something like that would put a black mark on House Andrassis.  You don’t want that, do you?

Carlan shook his head.  He knew his brother was right, but that didn’t make the thought of losing her any easier to bear.

Come along, little brother, Gaden said, his expression softening into a smile, you don’t have to deal with it today.

Together, the two brothers walked up the hill toward the manor house.  Three stories high, with crenellated towers, vine-wrapped balustrades, and spiral turrets, the manor was a miniature replica of the king’s castle in Ferelden, the capital city of the kingdom of Sovereign.  It had been built some twenty years past as a wedding gift for the king’s sister and her new husband.

Mother met them with a terse smile as they came through the front doors, which were emblazoned with a vine wrapped rose wreathed in flames, the crest of House Andrassis.  Carlan tensed upon seeing his mother’s expression, fearing that Tarel had told her about Marlina.

I must go out for the evening, Mother said, pulling on her gloves.  But I expect to be home in time for last meal.

Carlan would have liked to ask her where she was going, and why, but was constrained by his low position in the family.  Firebrand though he was, and the first in three generations, he was still the youngest child and so could not question his mother.

Gaden had such privilege, being firstborn and Head of the House, but would never take it.  I hope all is well, Mother.  This was as close as he was like to get to asking her if something was wrong.

We shall have to wait and see.  There was tightness around her sapphire eyes; a sure sign of worry.

Carlan glanced at his brother, silently urging him to question her further.  The corners of Gaden’s mouth dipped into a frown as he gave a slight shake of his head.  Their mother seemed to notice none of this, for she was looking out the open doors as she tugged on her other glove.

A carriage, bearing the family crest and drawn by two snow-white mares, pulled up at the foot of the stairs.  With a sweep of her skirts, Mother walked quickly down the steps.  The liveried driver hopped down from his high seat to open the door for her, then held out an arm to help her inside.  The door to the carriage was closed, and the man climbed back to his seat.  With a flick of the reins, he directed the mares down the dirt road to the gates.

****

Jada glared at Master Marlis.  Must I sit here all day listening to this nonsense?

This is not nonsense, Your Highness, this is important military strategy.  He accentuated each word by tapping the map on the wall with a long, thin rod.  You must understand how to best defend this land once you are High Queen.

Jada leaned back in the seat and idly twisted a strand of her long, black hair around one well-manicured finger.  Isn’t that what my advisors are for?

Master Marlis’ lips pursed almost to the point of nonexistence.  Your advisors are merely that—advisors.  Guides.  Mentors.  Surely you don’t believe your honored father allows such men to do his thinking for him?

This is pointless.  Jada rose from her seat.  That map is more than three hundred years old.  Besides, Garden hasn’t seen war since the Ten Kingdoms were united under the first High King.  She smiled smugly.  And people thought she didn’t know anything.

Perhaps not, but that doesn’t mean—  Raucous barking interrupted the tutor’s speech.

The doors of the learning room burst open and two large white dogs came bounding in.  In their wake ran Esren, panting, one hand held against his side.  Forgive me, Your Highness, Master Marlis.  I simply couldn’t hold them back any longer.

There are my boys.  Jada knelt to embrace the wriggling dogs.  Their shaggy coats smelled of jasmine, which meant that Esren had given them their morning baths on time, as usual.  Jada adored dogs, but she simply could not tolerate their smell.

It would seem our lessons are over for the day, Jada said, smiling sweetly up at the tutor.

Now, see here.  Master Marlis pushed his spectacles back up the narrow bridge of his nose.  We are most certainly not finished.

Jada rose to her feet, her amber eyes narrowed.  I say when we’re finished, not you.

Master Marlis stiffened.  Your honored father appointed me to tutor you on those things which you must know before you take the throne, and that is exactly what I intend to do.  Now sit down.

What did you say to me?  Heat pulsed through Jada’s veins as her fire rushed to the surface.

Y-you must sit down, until...until the lesson is finished.

The dogs whined, backing away toward Esren as the temperature in the room jumped several degrees.

I don’t care who you are.  Sparks of red fire danced across her fingertips.  I don’t care who appointed you.  The sparks became flames.  I am Her Royal Highness, Princess of Waterfall, future High Queen of the Ten Kingdoms and I will not be spoken to in such a manner.

Jada lifted her hand and a stream of fire shot forth, engulfing the map of the last war on the continent of Garden.  Master Marlis let out a frantic cry, pulled off his jacket, and began to beat at the flames in a futile attempt to save the map.

Do you know what you’ve done?  Sweat made his spectacles slide down his nose again.  This map is a piece of history and you’ve destroyed it.

Be glad I chose to direct the fire at the map and not at something a shade more personal.

Master Marlis blanched.  I-I shall tell your honored father about this...this...blatant disregard for a treasured piece of your family’s past.

You do that.  Jada spun around and marched from the room, the dogs following at her heels.

How dare that toad of a man presume to give me orders?  Plants wilted and turned brown as she stormed down the hall.

He was completely out of line, Esren said, following behind and slightly to her right.  He had no right to speak to you that way.

Talk to my father indeed.  Jada rounded a corner and came perilously close to colliding with a servant bearing a full tray.  The woman jumped back lightly on her feet, managing to move out of Jada’s way, while simultaneously curtseying and keeping the tray perfectly balanced.

Jada passed by, unaware the woman even existed.  As if my father would take the words of some lowly tutor over mine.

Of course not, Esren said.  In fact, I imagine Master Marlis will receive a strong reprimand from your father for overstepping himself so.

It’s no more than he deserves.  Her fire began to cool as her anger melted under Esren’s calming influence.  I’m going to talk to my father right now, before that idiot has a chance to try and twist the situation to his favor.

An excellent idea, Princess.

Jada glanced at Esren over her shoulder.  You do that on purpose, don’t you?

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.  If I didn’t, I fear you would have burned the entire castle down by now.

Jada grinned.  I still might.

When they reached the king’s study, Jada approached his personal guards, who were stationed outside the door.  I wish to see my father.

His Majesty is the middle of an important conference with the King of Sovereign.  The speaker was Brant, and the other, his twin brother, Ged.  They’d been the king’s personal guards since before Jada was born.

I don’t care.  I want to speak with him now.

The twins shared a glance.  We’ve been ordered to allow no one inside, Your Highness, Ged said in a most apologetic tone.  Not even you.

Jada scowled.  What sort of conference?  What could my father possibly have to discuss with King Ostin that must be kept so secret?

We don’t know, Your Highness, Brant said.  We’re only following orders.

Orders, orders, what did she care about orders?  The good humor Esren had coaxed her into was fading fast.  She wanted to see her father, she wanted to see him now, and no one, certainly not a pair of guards, was going to stop her.

I command you to step aside.

With all due respect, Your Highness, we can’t do that.

Jada glared at the guards, her fire rising once more.  They would dare disobey a direct order from their princess?  Well then, she’d blast the door to bits, see how her father liked that.

The door swung open.  What is going on out here? King Yadari demanded, his glare encompassing all those who were gathered in the hall.

I need to speak with you, Jada said, and these guards won’t allow me in.

As I ordered.  But you may come in now, Daughter.  I would speak to you on a matter of grave importance concerning Sovereign.  He glanced at Esren.  You remain there, with the dogs.

Esren fisted a hand to his chest and bowed at the waist, backing away as Jada and Yadari entered the study.

CHAPTER TWO

Last meal came and went, and still no sign of Mother.  Carlan stood on the front porch in the fading light, watching the road beyond the gate.  His stomach was twisted in knots, so that what little food he’d managed to force down burbled and gurgled unpleasantly.  If only he knew where Mother had gone, then he would at least have some idea of what might be keeping her.

Mother won’t appreciate you waiting here for her as if she were some wayward child, Gaden said, joining Carlan on the porch.

Carlan leaned against the balustrade and frowned at the lengthening shadows.  Aren’t you the least bit worried?  It’s not like Mother to stay away from the manor so late.

I’m not worried, and you shouldn’t be either.  Besides, there’s nothing you can do about it anyway.

Carlan drummed his fingers against the cool marble.  I could take a gr-horse, and go look for her.  He’d started to say gryphon, which would be a more useful creature for such a search, then thought better of it.  The only place in the Highlands where a gryphon could be obtained was the Elsprey Ranch and he was in no mood to start another argument about Marlina.

You know better than that, Gaden said.

What if something happened to her?  She didn’t even take a guard.

Then it stands to reason that she didn’t go where she felt she needed one.

Carlan supposed his brother was right.  He couldn’t recall ever having heard reports of bandits along the quiet country roads that serviced the wealthier section of Sarengale’s outlying community.  If his mother had only gone to a neighbor’s, there was no reason to suspect some ill fortune had befallen her.

I simply can’t imagine where Mother would be for so long, Carlan said.

If Mother hasn’t returned by first meal, I’ll send around to the neighbors to see if she stayed with any of them.  All right?

Carlan nodded.  If he were Head, he’d have already done so, though it surely would have angered Mother.

Gaden patted his shoulder.  Don’t let Mother catch you out here.  He turned and went back inside the manor.

Somewhere out in the far woods, a lone bird called.  It seemed a sad, melancholy sound to Carlan, who found his thoughts drifting toward Marlina.  She was so willing to give up everything so they could be together; how could he ever explain to her that he must choose to protect the family honor over their