Flirting With the Tempest: The Telverin Trilogy, #2

By A.R.K. Horton

Eya is done running from her enemy. Now, the very people who took her home and threatened her life should be scared of the exiled princess with newfound powers.

Reunited with her brothers and bonding with new friends, Eya fights against the Pescelean invasion of Hicares with the might of Kandum's army behind her. Success in battle comes easy, but something doesn't sit right with her. She's not sure she's fighting on the right side. Is she truly fated to destroy an entire nation, or is there a way out of this prophecy? Eya learns that sometimes your enemies are the people you allow closer than anyone else.

Flirting With the Tempest is the second book of The Telverin Trilogy, a fantasy war story that takes place between several countries in the world of Telverin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.R.K. Horton
• Release date: Mar 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781737499817

A.R.K. Horton

A.R.K. Horton is a small woman made of round shapes and long sighs. Children and animals surround her in her Florida home. Her vice is hoarding responsibilities, and she has the tired eyes to prove it. They still have a sparkle, though, seeing the next project ahead. She began writing as a child when she became obsessed with learning about the most obscure fairytales, folktales, and myths. Now, she blogs extensively about them and uses them as inspiration for her novels.

Book preview

Chapter One

Princess Eyanisade Simnaudona Hicaron felt happier traveling with troops of reeking soldiers through the brutal mountains of Kandum than she ever felt when spoiled by the luxuries of Hicarean royal life. She supposed love had something to do with that. As she unrolled her cot, she eavesdropped on the conversation right outside her tent.

All I’m saying is that the storm is only one thing that Eya could draw on, Cefa argued, stirring up the coals in the fire. It’s a fraction of the power the Goddess Winds could funnel through her.

I don’t care! Daijah snapped. What she is currently doing with her powers is hard enough to manage without taxing her.

The sharp air smelled of pine, invigorating with every breath. Even from the tent, Cefa could taste the last of the melting snow as she spoke, steamy puffs escaping with every syllable. Wolves in the distance howled at the full moon, which looked like a shiny coin against the black sky. She could almost forget it was Spring.

Eya doesn’t need to push herself harder, Cefa said and sighed in frustration. She can stick to calling on storms during attacks, but she could make it warmer right now.

Your blood will never thicken if you don’t let yourself get cold once in a while.

Eya opened the tent at last, wanting to stop the argument before they said something they regretted. The winter wind bit through her clothes and into her skin before she had the chance to wrap an extra coat around her small frame.

Daijah’s breath caught when he saw her face reflecting the firelight, radiant in its glow. Even with the angry red scars healing on her left cheek, Eya was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. They only reminded him of how close he came to losing her and how valiantly she fought to save them both only weeks ago. Cefa elbowed him and gave him a suggestive wink.

Pecu, it’s cold, Eya complained, pulling the extra coat around her even tighter.

I have an idea about that— Cefa began.

Not again! Daijah grumbled, interrupting the old woman.

What’s your idea, Cefa? Eya giggled.

You’re the Embodiment of the Goddess Winds, Cefa stated, to which Eya nodded. You should be able to do more than bring on a storm. You should be able to bring rain, snow, tornadoes, hurricanes, and warm winds, too! Anything my sisters could do, you should be able to do.

That makes sense, Eya admitted. She then thought back to the previous Winter when the crone’s words would have sounded like lunacy. She had grown to accept what she was capable of more than she ever imagined.

So much had happened in so little time. Her father died trying to defend Hicares from Pescel’s invasion. Her mother had been ill when Eya fled their home, so she could only assume that she was dead now. Pescel held her brothers prisoner, but then they escaped to Kandum. Now, they were all fighting a new war where they could reclaim their kingdom with the power of their new Kandumes allies. Somewhere in all of that, she learned that she was able to harness all the powers of the Goddess Winds and currently was trying to come to terms with the prophecy that she would free the Goddess Winds and destroy the seat of Pecu’s power. She tried hard not to think too long about that. Up until recently, her biggest responsibility had been to look pretty and bring royal babies into this world.

Who knows how long it would take her to learn how to do that? Daijah asked. Tomorrow, we will be at our Hicares base camp. It should be plenty warm there. Eya should get some rest tonight.

Well, actually… Eya said and bit her bottom lip. There was this time that I did bring on a warm wind in Kandum.

Cefa and Daijah turned toward her with expectant faces.

Eya wished she had let them continue arguing. Was she supposed to repeat the same performance right now for the second time ever? I’m sorry, she said, shrugging. I’m not sure how I did it the first time.

Well, you’ve seen your fear triggers storms, Cefa explained. What were you feeling when the warm wind blew?

Eya remembered that night very well. Daijah approached her in the hallway earlier, and they came so close to kissing. When she returned to her room, she couldn’t fall asleep. Her mind danced with thoughts of what she wished to do with the handsome soldier. A rosy bloom spread across Eya’s face and her pupils dilated in greener irises than usual.

Daijah, Cefa said, not taking her widened eyes off Eya’s blushing face, I need you to make love to Eya now.

Cefa! Daijah cried out, blushing himself now.

Cefa cackled in delight at the young man’s obvious discomfort. You big prude.

Cefa explained to the two lovers that she was going to sleep. Then, she let out a loud belch. Eya grimaced because Cefa shared a tent with her. Since leaving Kandum and marching into Hicares, Eya’s brothers insisted that she sleep next to the powerful healer. They didn’t want her alone in a crowd of soldiers, and they certainly didn’t want her sleeping in Daijah’s tent. They knew him before he had fallen in love with Eya, when he had a reputation as a lothario. The fact that Cefa thought of him as a prude was laughable.

Eya had grown quite close to Cefa, the exiled crone goddess who didn’t take herself seriously at all. She looked like anyone’s sweet great grandmother, but she talked like a sailor, and Eya was discovering more and more how far from well-mannered the woman could be. The last few nights were uncomfortable at best. Cefa tossed and turned, causing frequent bouts of loud and pungent flatulence. Sometimes, she even woke herself up. Eya gave Daijah a pained expression, which he returned with a sympathetic one.

I love Cefa, I do. Eya sighed. But I do not think I can last another night in that tent with her.

You could— Daijah started and then shook his head with a sad smile. Never mind. That is a bad idea.

There are no bad ideas, Eya blurted out. Please give me all your ideas!

I was going to suggest that you sleep in my tent, Daijah replied, giving her a meaningful look. We can both agree that you wouldn’t get much sleep if you came to my tent, though. You need your rest.

Daijah, Eya said, moving closer to him. I wouldn’t get much sleep in my own tent either. This might be the last night we have some privacy for a while.

They looked around them at the rows of tents down the path from them, still and peaceful on this cold night. Eya’s brothers would already be at the base camp now. It had been difficult finding time away from them on this trip, and soon they would have Daijah’s father, a man notoriously set in his ways about what was proper, in the mix.

After spending so much time under the watchful eye of King Retam, they were eager for time alone. The more time they spent together, the deeper in love Daijah fell. It became harder and harder for him to keep from touching her curves and kissing her lips. Eya’s silver-green eyes gazed up into Daijah’s black, glittering ones, and he gave in to the urges he’d been holding down, forgetting the words of warning King Retam had given him upon their departure.

Daijah wasn’t supposed to touch her. He was supposed to watch her and keep her in line as the most powerful weapon they had in this war. Kandum was doing a big favor for the Hicarean royalty, and the King was only going to go along with it if they knew their place as a lesser nobility under Kandum. Daijah hated it, but what could he do to fight it?

Under the bright moon, with Eya’s warm body so close to his, even the fear of his King and loyalty to Kandum flew from his mind. All Daijah wanted was her. Eya’s fingers played with his long, dark hair. Daijah leaned into the crook of her neck and inhaled the scent of her. He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed the vulnerable skin where her neck and shoulders met.

Eya moaned from the tingles it sent down her spine, wondering if anything could ever feel this good. Then, Daijah nipped her shoulder, gentle, but not so gentle that she couldn’t feel his teeth pressing into her vulnerable flesh. She gasped aloud as a bolt of heat rushed through her body. If biting felt that good, she’d happily be his dinner right now.

Shh… he whispered into her ear, causing her to tremble again. We don’t want to wake anyone up. Let’s go back to my tent and see how much snow you can melt.

Oh, yes, she whispered back.

Daijah looked at her with a wicked gleam in his eyes. Before she could figure out his intentions, he lifted her over his shoulder and ran to his tent, with her giggling the whole way.

As they both suspected, neither one of them got very much sleep that night. Daijah kept Eya up most of the night with kisses, caresses, and stories about his many tattoos. During their romantic embraces, he managed to hold back, while she pleaded with him to make love to her and then struggled to fall asleep due to her sexual frustration.

Daijah had explained to her that they couldn’t risk pregnancy during a war. Of course, his real fear was King Retam finding out about his disobedience. Daijah had slept with enough women to know there were ways to prevent a child from forming, but even those weren’t effective all the time. Just this night in the tent was risky enough that he could be stripped of his rights as the heir to a Dukedom. Even if Eya was a princess, she was one Retam meant to control and he would always view the lowest Kandumes nobility as higher than she was.

Daijah kept all of this from Eya, fearful of what her reaction would be. She was an emotional woman with powers influenced by her mercurial disposition. In his heart, he hoped he would figure out a way to appease King Retam and be with her in the end. Then, she would never need to know any of this upsetting information and they could be happy together. It was a long shot, but Daijah had to hope for something.

After a few short hours of sleep, Eya stirred once the morning light found its way through the crack in the tent flaps to shine on her face. She wasn’t surprised to see Daijah was already up. He’d fallen asleep with no problem and had woken before dawn every morning of this march.

She exited the tent to get some oats and start her day. Still wrapped in two winter coats, sweat pooled in the curves and folds of her skin, as soon as she walked into the full sunshine. As soon as she could, she threw both coats into her tent, which appeared empty. Eya closed her eyes, lifting her face to the light to bask in its warmth. She could even smell the heat coming from the soil.

Must have been a nice night, Cefa’s suggestive voice remarked.

This wasn’t me, Eya said, opening her eyes to look at the old woman. The last time I brought a warm wind. This is a sunny Spring morning.

Almost as if the day woke up in a happy mood? Cefa asked with a raised eyebrow.

Not everything is magic. Eya chuckled.

I beg to differ, and I created magic. Cefa harrumphed. What’s the use in being a goddess when no one listens to you?

Oh, Cefa, Eya responded, still chuckling, you are so much better than any goddess could ever be.

Well, I guess I’ll tolerate you a little longer, mortal, Cefa said, failing to hide her smile.

Eya walked further down the trail to the cauldron of oats, still bubbling over the campfire. She picked up a wooden bowl from the stack and turned to see Rhin smiling in his sad way. She waved at him and ladled some oats into her bowl.

Beautiful morning, Rhin stated as he walked closer to her with his bowl of oats steaming into his face. It’s been a long time since I saw you in sunlight this cheerful. I forgot how much it suits you.

Rhin, are you about to ask me for something? Eya asked. You are usually complimentary right before a request.

Caught me, he said, shrugging. I thought we should discuss what to expect when we make it to base camp.

Absolutely, Eya answered, relieved that was all and sat down in front of a nearby tree. That makes sense to me.

Only our little circle knows about your true contribution to this war, Rhin explained and sat next to her. The Duke of Rodovan doesn't know yet, and he is a little old fashioned. He didn’t take King Retam’s orders to have you onboard very well.

No one explained why the King is sending me! Eya exclaimed, her mouth ajar.

No, Rhin said, shaking his head, we couldn’t risk it. The enemy could have intercepted the message. I will explain everything when I get there. I asked your brothers to leave it up to me.

I understand.

Eya imagined how much harder it would be to ingratiate herself to Daijah’s father now.

There’s another thing, Rhin said after a pause, looking into his bowl of oats. You and Daijah will need to be more discrete.

Eya choked a little on her breakfast. This was a conversation she never wanted to have and thought she did a tremendous job avoiding. She did not care to discuss her love life with the man she once shared a drunken kiss with. She had regretted it ever since. To make matters worse, Eya met Rhin’s wife before they set off for Hicares. She was sweet, and his son was adorable. Even now Eya felt guilty.

We know your feelings with every look you give, Rhin whispered, while troops walked by to grab their gruel. What’s more, everyone here already noticed you leaving Daijah’s tent this morning.

Eya scowled. What? Were you watching for me to leave?

Do you think that your brothers would leave you for even a day without several eyes to make sure you behaved appropriately for a princess? Rhin asked. Your passion is your strength, but sometimes you err on the side of recklessness. You need to be careful.

You try sleeping in the same tent as Cefa, Eya grumbled into her bowl.

You will likely have a tent to yourself at the base camp, Rhin consoled her. Your brothers will have to talk the Duke into letting you sleep next to a Pescelean captive.

Eya had forgotten about that. Cefa seemed like family at this point. The only reason why they even met, however, was that the Kandumes captured her in an attack. It was Daijah who brought her back to teach them how to heal wounds from magical attacks. Eya wondered how Cefa felt about fighting against the country she spent the last several centuries wandering around as a healer. Even she found it difficult going to war with Pescel, since she grew to love it during her short time there.

Retam’s hateful rhetoric made her wonder if the King was another Farek Malphesent. Unfortunately, she had no other way to get her home back. She thought back to her pleasant memories growing up in Hicares, such as she and her brothers playing many games of hide and seek. She thought of the afternoons spent riding her favorite horses. Eya even felt nostalgic for her mother's boring embroidery sessions. She would gladly embroider every day of her life if she could have her parents back again. Eya wondered if Farek buried her parents. Based on what Novem told her about the Regent, he didn’t seem like he would care one way or the other.

Eya shook her head of these melancholy thoughts. Today, she would cross into Hicares. Her feet would touch its fertile ground, and she would hear the bleating of livestock. Hicares might be a backward haven for shepherds and goat herders, but Eya had missed it with all her heart.

Eya spotted Daijah in the distance, talking to some of his men. She realized that she would have to choose between being with him in Kandum or being home one day. She didn't want to think about that yet, so instead she thanked Rhin for his advice and returned to her tent. There, she packed up for the last leg of their journey to the Kandumes camp in Hicares.

When it was time to ride out, Eya stayed next to Rhin. She had a feeling she would want to be near him when the Duke of Rodovan saw her approaching. She also didn’t want to arouse suspicion by riding next to his son. Eya knew how that would look. She couldn’t even look at Daijah from a distance without melting a little.

A misting of rain fell upon them for the rest of the day’s journey. More than once, Cefa looked at Eya with concern. How could Eya keep her emotions private when they walked around in them constantly?

At the bottom of the mountain, Daijah joined Eya and Rhin. As much as Eya didn't want to raise the Duke’s suspicion, having Daijah near grounded her.

See the forest up ahead? Daijah asked, pointing ahead at the crowd of pine trees. That’s the last point before Hicares. Just on the other side, you can see our base camp. We're almost there.

Eya looked up into Daijah’s beaming face. She could see how excited he felt. It warmed her heart to know that Daijah was looking forward to sharing the moment with her.

The forest was so dense that the party needed to travel single file through it. Daijah rode in front of Eya, and Rhin trailed behind her. The mist continued to fall on them, adding to the stillness in the forest. Eya wasn't just stepping into a new country. She was stepping into the unknown.

Once Eya passed by the last tree, her emotions overwhelmed her. She was home. It had been more than a year since she left it, hugging her mother one last time. She'd sailed for Serenchea, only to wake up near the shores of Pescel. She longed for this moment every day she spent in some other country. However, this western area of Hicares felt so much like Kandum still. It didn’t feel like the place she knew and loved. The mist became heavy, turning into fat droplets and drenching the party. The previous stillness vanished. Everyone sped up their horses to make it out of the rain.

The Kandumes built up the base camp since Daijah left it. His father spent the Winter building lodges to protect them from the cold. One lodge was ready to take in the party as soon as they were off their horses. They rushed inside, wet, cold, and muddy. Eya didn’t know where Rhin or Cefa were anymore, and all hopes of making a good impression on Daijah’s father fled from her. Now, she only hoped to find some way into dry clothes and a warm bed.

While she pulled fat, black noodles of hair away from her face, she saw the Duke of Rodovan approach his son. Daijah stood at attention as if this wasn’t his father, as if it hadn’t been months since they last saw each other. As tall as Daijah was, his father was somehow even taller.

Eya remembered the one time she'd seen him and how she thought he looked like a bear. She still felt that way.

It is good to see you, Son, the Duke said, giving Daijah’s hand a firm shake. I hope that your journey here wasn’t as fretful as it appears.

We had fair weather until we saw the camp, and the rain came pouring down, Daijah answered with a smile.

Glad to hear it, the Duke said, returning the smile . He then looked around the room, eyes landing on Eya. His smile faded. So, it’s true. King Retam sent Little Eya into war.

She stewed a little at his use of the term ‘Little Eya.’ Was that a dig at her? Though Eya felt tempted to give the Duke a verbal beating, she didn’t say a thing but made sure to give him a curtsy. The Duke was an intimidating man. She was afraid she might blurt out something that could hurt her relationship with Daijah.

Not Little Eya anymore, Father, Daijah said, pulling his father’s attention back. She has taken on many impossible challenges since she was King Simnaud’s Little Eya. King Retam is wise to send her here.

I sent you to Kandum to bring back solutions, not distractions, the Duke grumbled. A distraction is all a woman in battle can be.

Eya resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

Hello, Kojun, Rhin’s voice called through the crowd. Soon, he emerged from the group of gigantic Kandumes men, a friendly expression on his face. Sorry to interrupt. I wanted to ensure the horses were stabled before discussing more sensitive information from King Retam.

Good to see you, friend! the Duke exclaimed, giving Rhin a warmer welcome than he had given to his son. If it’s a private message from the King, then, Daijah, you and I should head to the Hicaron lodge.

Eya should join us, Rhin said.

She can catch up with them later, the Duke dismissed. It’s only been a day.

Not to catch up with her brothers, Rhin explained. It has to do with King Retam’s message.

The Duke scowled at Rhin but grunted and nodded toward Eya.

Daijah waved at her to come forward.

With tentative steps, Eya approached them. She kept her head tilted up in a sad attempt to look more confident than she felt.

What happened to your face? the Duke said, once he saw her in a better light, and the two lines of scars on her left cheek were noticeable. What a shame. You were such a pretty girl.

Eya felt her chest cave inward from the impact of his slight.

Daijah could see the sting in her face and shook his head at her. He hoped she would understand that this wasn’t how he felt about her appearance.

Kojun, Rhin said, mercifully turning the Duke away from Eya, the rain looks like it might worsen soon. Let’s get to the lodge as fast as we can.

The Hicaron lodge was only a few steps away from the main building. The proximity kept the King of Hicares as close to command as possible, and under the Duke’s watchful eyes. King Retam had made it abundantly clear in a previous message that the Duke was to keep the Hicarons controlled in every way possible. Kandum was only helping them to enhance its own influence and power over Telverin.

Even with the short distance, Eya managed to get even wetter and muddier. The four of them burst into the Hicaron lodge, startling Eya’s brothers.

Eya! Simrin called out, not with joy at her appearance, but with annoyance. Did you call on this lousy storm?

Me? Eya asked, looking around them. Their lodge smelled like a wet dog, with sodden boots and outer clothes drying next to a fireplace. Her brothers, King Parvon and the princes, sat around in their nightshirts, shivering in the damp cold. They must have been outside when the storm had hit. I...well, maybe...but only by accident. I was feeling emotional.

Seriously, Simrin grumbled, when are you not feeling emotional?

Cut it out, Simrin, Novem chided You cried like a damn baby the moment we set foot in Hicares.

Someone explain this, the unamused Duke of Rodovan commanded, interrupting the sibling exchange.

This is the sensitive information that King Retam ordered that I, and I alone, relay to you, Rhin explained. Little Eya is not a girl anymore. She’s more than a woman. Princess Eyanisade is the Embodiment of the Goddess Winds. We’re trying to keep this a secret even from the troops right now, for fear of Pescel finding out.

The Duke squinted in confusion. This doesn’t answer anything.

Rhin means that Eya can channel their powers, Daijah said and stepped forward. It mostly shows itself with changes in weather.

Then, why in the name of Pecu are we all standing around like drowned kittens! the Duke bellowed. I never thought ill of my King before, but has he gone soft in the mind to think this child has magical powers?

She is still learning how to use it, Rhin explained. I think you will see—

I see nothing but a little girl King Retam has sent to waste my time, the Duke growled into Rhin’s face.

Eya, do it, Rhin said, keeping his eyes fixed on the towering Duke.

What if someone sees her? And she’s too tired, Daijah argued, walking over toward her.

No, I’m not, Eya said, stepping around Daijah and approaching the Duke. She had reached her limit with the Duke’s rude words. Even if I was, how tired I am won’t matter in battle anyway. I didn’t come all this way for a duke to treat me, a princess, like a disappointment. If I have to prove myself, then I have to prove myself.

The Duke turned his face from Rhin to glare at her. She looked at him with icy disdain. Daijah always talked about his father as if he were some sort of hero. It was apparent that he was desperate for the Duke’s approval. However, the Duke showed Rhin more warmth than his son, and even that he could toss aside in an instance. Eya believed Kojun was nothing but a bully with too much power.

He laughed. What are you going to do? Make it rain harder?

Open the door, Rhin, she commanded through gritted teeth. Rhin opened it and Eya looked out into the rain to make sure no one was within sight. Fortunately, the rain kept all the soldiers inside the warm, dry lodges. Though the Kandumes had their tall frames and big muscles, every single one of them acted like they were afraid of a little rain. Eya, however, didn’t cower from the storm. What was the point? It had already drenched her.

Eya turned to Rhin. Do you have the runes?

Rhin nodded, knowing what Eya intended to do. He had foreseen that they might need some kind of proof of her powers for the Duke. Come with me, Rhin said to the unbelieving man.

Together, they walked out to the least uncomfortable spot on the muddy ground. Rhin laid out the runes around the Duke in just the way Cefa had taught him over the Winter. Over and around Duke Kojun, a magical barrier formed, just like the ones that had held back all of the Kandumes most powerful attacks.

Eya walked past the Duke, stopping just ten yards away. She lifted her arms high and tilted her face up to the sky, feeling the Goddess Winds’ power calling her to play. One corner of her mouth tilted up wickedly, as she turned around and called to Rhin, who was standing by the door with the others. Bring me a sword!

Rhin grabbed the nearest blade and ran it out to her.

Daijah stepped outside the door, keeping an eye out in the unlikely event that a soldier would step outside.

Eya’s brothers, still in their nightshirts, stayed inside but near the entrance to watch.

Eya felt the weight of the sword in her hand. It wasn’t a short sword like she usually sparred with, but it would do. She adjusted for its increased weight and pictured it as an extension of her arm. Storm energy pulsed through her body and the sword. The storm above growled with thunder in response.

As if she was yanking a bolt out of the sky, Eya’s arm snapped down and a bright hot flash of lightning cracked like a whip against the barrier surrounding the Duke. With a pathetic pop, the barrier they all once thought of as impenetrable ceased to exist. While the Duke processed that, Eya charged toward him.

It took him a beat to realize she was coming in for an attack. Ever the military man, he unsheathed the scimitar that was always on his belt and guarded himself.

However, she didn’t strike him. She ran right past him.

The Duke’s blade slashed at empty air. In his brief confusion, he didn’t notice that Eya had circled back behind him.

She was so swift that she had her sword at his throat before he realized what was happening. Her blade buzzed with the lightning of her storm, singing his collar. Crackles of electricity wrapped around him, keeping him still to avoid a shock.

Eya got on the tips of her toes to whisper up into his ear, Still think your king is soft in the head? Keeping her sword in its place, Eya moved to face the focus of her attack.

The Duke took a sharp inhale, not from her blade’s heat but by her eyes’ strange silver glow.

Eya, Daijah called, running to her. He understands!

I do, the Duke croaked out, careful