Inked in Fire

By Jenn Howlett

A Queen enchanted by stories. A Captain with the scars to tell them.

Captain Sethraun, Officer of the Erawoen 2nd Light Infantry, The Unforgiven, receives an irresistible job offer. Queen Caesia wants to hear all about it.

Rescue a nobleman's daughter from a gang of ruthless brigands and put a stop to an insurrection before it can ignite the flames of war.

Will the story be enough to entertain his beloved Caesia, or be yet another way to earn her scorn?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jenn Howlett
• Release date: Jul 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223080220

Book preview

Chapter 1

In the dimly lit chamber, Queen Caesia fixed her piercing gaze upon Major Sethraun's weathered face, her curiosity kindling like a flame hungry for a tale: Tell me, Major, the story behind that scar.

The tuskless orc was sitting on the edge of her overly ornate four-poster bed, one leg pulled up as he pushed his foot into his uniform trousers. Which one, Your Grace? he asked formally. The notion clearly amused her, as when he turned to look in her direction, she was grinning from ear to ear. Considering all they had done together over the past few months, that he still addressed her in such a formal manner was a source of grand entertainment.

Every time he looked at her, he had to pinch himself. Surely, he was dreaming. He had to be if he was sharing a bed with the ruler of Erawoen. A woman so beautiful that she'd captured every inch of his affections, despite the unfavourable circumstances in which they had first met. He’d been unaccustomed to the intricacies of courtly life and she’d taken great joy in making sport out of mocking him.

Her chilly hand touched his hip, and he shuddered. The woman was never warm, not even if there was a fire roaring in the hearth. Yet, he relished the feel of those cold hands whenever they roamed every inch of his skin.

This one, she said, trailing her manicured fingernails over the ragged flesh on his hip.

Instantly, he sat up straighter. Of all the scars that lined his body, why did she have to choose that particular one to pick his brains about? Not that he was ashamed of it, but because there was a potentially sensitive subject attached to the tale.

Caesia had picked up on the shift in his posture. "Oh! This will be a good story."

As her hand gently grasped his hip, he reclined beside her on the comfortable bed. The pillows were too soft and inviting to stay away from. As he reclined, he let a contented sigh slip from his parted lips. Sethraun never wanted to leave the comfort of their nest ever again, his arms raised to the back of his head as he truly made himself the King of Comfort. 

This one? he clarified, pointing to his hip. He knew full well which scar she was asking him about. He was taking a moment to think of how he could start the story of how it came to be.

Caesia rested beside him, propping herself up on her side. She nodded in affirmation. Delaying tactics won't help.

He rolled over to face her. All right, he agreed. The embers of the hearth flickered, creating a warm, inviting ambiance to the chamber; Major Sethraun breathed deeply and said, Very well, Your Grace, let me begin.

Chapter 2

His eyes flashed open. Someone had their lips on his mouth. For all the world, Sethraun couldn't understand why someone was kissing him. He wasn't going to object, though. His eyes closed with a certain sense of serenity. The softness of plush lips against his own wasn't an entirely unpleasant sensation to wake up to.

Then he stupidly ruined the moment by spluttering. Coughing up a full score of muck from his lungs. The involuntary heaving of his chest sent a shockwave of agony over his left side, just above his pelvis bone. His core tensed, dragging him up into a sitting position. He stilled as a flash of pain flared and waited until the wrench of torment dissipated.

Good, you're still alive, a young woman said to him. She rolled him closer to where she was sat and patted his back, getting him