Throne of Fire and Fate

By Alicia Lords

One fateful night, Elisota, the princess of a kingdom, had everything she had known ripped away from her. Her bodyguard, Nilas, took Elisota and a relic from within the castle walls and escaped. Believing this relic could help them reclaim the throne, they began their journey--a journey that opened up Elisota's view of the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9798892213059

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

A Whisper of Secrets and Darkness

Chapter 1

About the Author

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Throne of Fire and Fate

Alicia Lords

Copyright © 2024 Alicia Lords

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2024

ISBN 979-8-89221-304-2 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89427-420-1 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-89221-305-9 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

This book is dedicated to my mom, who would be proud of the person I am today.

Prologue

The small caravan was heading to a little town deep in the forest. In this group, there were three men and two women. The women comfortably occupied the rear of the wagon, their legs swaying gently as the two horses diligently pulled the load.

At the helm of the caravan, one of the men guided the two ebony mares, their reins in his capable hands. The thick trees passed by at a leisurely pace, the sun casting its final, golden glow through the foliage.

The two others marched in close proximity, a silent procession through the woods. The only audible sounds were the rhythmic hoofbeats of the horses, occasionally interrupted by the wagon's wheels striking a hidden stone.

Abruptly, the caravan came to a halt, causing both the coach and the two women at the back to jolt forward, momentarily disturbed by the interruption.

Blasted boulders once more? the dwarf seated at the front exclaimed in exasperation, tugging sharply on the reins to bring the horses to a halt. As the wagon jolted to a standstill, he descended, his short stature revealing his dwarven heritage.

The two footmen approached where the wagon had struck the rock. Together, they crouched down to examine the damage. A large stone, stubbornly wedged into the wheel well, had begun to crack it, threatening further hindrance to their journey.

Behold! A fracture, minuscule in its current form, yet perilous in potential. If we persist along this course, its expansion is inevitable, the fae warned, his voice laced with caution, as he assessed the situation.

Nilas, kindly instruct the ladies to disembark momentarily. We must attend to its repair, the fae suggested, his tone indicating the necessity of the task at hand.

Right away, Nilas responded promptly, his pointed ears catching the details of the plan.

His long, dark-brown hair was neatly braided at his side, and the hilt of a sword and the curve of a bow with a quiver slung over his back were visible. He wore a fitted, long, dark-brown sleeve shirt paired with black pants that snugly embraced his waist. His steps were silent as he gracefully made his way around to the rear of the wagon, where the two women were seated.

Ladies, if you could kindly disembark, we'll attend to the wheel's repair, Nilas requested with an air of composure that had been a constant throughout their journey.

The two girls exchanged glances before turning their attention back to him. His golden eyes remained devoid of emotion, a characteristic that had persisted throughout the entirety of their journey.

Elisota, you go ahead, the other girl suggested, her tone deferential. She extended a hand out of the wagon toward the tall elf standing outside. Elisota inched closer to the edge and gracefully slid off, her dress flowing with her. However, the corset tugged tightly at her body, making it a bit more challenging to disembark. She landed with a soft thud and moved off to the side, her steps deliberate.

Now, you're next, Nilas articulated gracefully, directing his gaze to the other girl, only to find she had already begun her descent.

I know, and I'm quite capable of looking after myself, she confidently asserted.

She was clad in a snug black shirt and matching trousers, her long black braid cascading down her back. A small dagger hung at her side, and a bow and quiver graced her back. Her sun-kissed, golden skin gleamed in the daylight.

I never implied you couldn't handle yourself, Syndra, Nilas remarked with his elegant elven tone as he distanced himself from the girls. All right, they're off! he informed Goren in his composed manner.

The third male returned with the replacement wheel and an assortment of tools. Goren, lend me a hand to lift it, Nilas instructed, and the fae joined in, assisting with the removal of the damaged wheel. After the necessary repairs, they were back on the road. The sun had vanished entirely, and the starry tapestry adorned the night sky with its celestial dance.

Nilas walked alongside the wagon on one side, while the third male took the other. Goren remained at the front, steering the horses. In the back of the wagon, Syndra and Elisota occupied their positions. Elisota lay down with her hands behind her head, her legs swinging freely.

Syndra sat perched on a crate near the front of the wagon, her gaze fixed on her bow. Her delicate fingers traced the intricate Sanskrit etched into the weapon, and she softly hummed to herself. Above her, a small lantern dangled from the wagon's roof, casting a warm, gentle light that illuminated only the interior, just enough to reveal the bow's intricate details.

Hey, Goren, stop the wagon! Syndra called out, her voice carrying the rugged lilt of her desert accent.

He didn't respond with words, but the horses obediently came to a halt, pulling the wagon to a stop. As soon as it ceased moving, Nilas inquired, Why have we stopped?

Syndra told me to, Goren replied matter-of-factly in his thick dwarven accent.

Yeah, because I need to go take care of some business, Syndra explained, turning to Elisota. Her words flowed smoothly, akin to honey. Would you like to join me?

Sure, Elisota replied, climbing out of the wagon.

The two girls ventured off into the forest, their forms gradually disappearing from sight. Left behind, Goren suggested, Well, seeing as they're handling things, we might as well make camp for the night. He dismounted and began assisting the horses out of their harnesses.

~

The two girls carried a small lantern with them as they ventured deeper into the forest, guided by the radiant light of the full moon above. Elisota and Syndra gazed up at the twinkling stars, their ethereal beauty captivating them.

Under the celestial canopy, Syndra decided to remove her pants, seeking comfort in the warm night air, while Elisota wandered a bit further away. After tending to their respective needs, they retraced their steps back to the wagon. To their surprise, a fire crackled in the darkness, and Nilas sat beside it, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames before him.

Where have Goren and Elran gone? Syndra inquired as she and Elisota rejoined the camp.

Nilas looked up, his golden eyes reflecting the fire's glow. They've gone out to gather some food, he explained, his words accompanied by the appearance of the two. Goren and Elran returned, each holding two rabbits and handfuls of plump berries they had foraged in the woods.

Elisota and Syndra settled down beside the fire, the warm flickering flames casting dancing shadows upon their faces. Elisota remained silent, her gaze fixed on the fire's entrancing dance.

The rest of the group engaged in conversation well into the night, their voices accompanied by the soft crackling of the fire. As the food dwindled, the remnants were carefully stored in a bag within the wagon.

Suddenly, Elisota rose from her seat by the fire, prompting Syndra to inquire, Where are you going?

I am just…tired, Elisota replied, her voice carrying a weariness that seemed to penetrate to her very core. Her gaze shifted from the ground to briefly meet the concerned expressions on the faces of her companions.

Sadness flickered in Syndra's eyes, while Goren and Elran wore worried expressions. Only Nilas maintained his stoic composure, his hands interlaced as he leaned forward, resting on his knees.

All right, good night, Syndra murmured in her desert-tinged accent, her voice barely above a whisper.

She turned away from the group, her eyes still carrying a hint of sadness, and made her way back to the comforting embrace of the fire. Meanwhile, Elisota continued her silent journey, her gaze still fixed downward. Upon reaching the wagon, she climbed inside and surrendered to the embrace of sleep.

Chapter 1

Papa! Elisota exclaimed, her voice carrying the grace of her upbringing, her hands delicately holding up her dress, as she hurried down the intersecting marbled hall.

Her footsteps echoed elegantly down the expanse of the grand corridor. Elisota burst through a door, entering the regal front foyer. Her father engaged in conversation with a visitor, but upon hearing her approach, he swiftly turned, arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture.

She dashed into his embrace, giving him an enthusiastic hug. He wrapped his arms around her, the warmth of the summer day flowing through the open doors in the corridor.

A gentle breeze stirred the banners hanging amid the majestic pillars. These banners proudly displayed the royal family crest, a dove in graceful flight, cradling a water lily. The colors of the crest were a vibrant blue and shimmering gold, a symbol of their royal lineage.

A magnificent crown adorned her father's head as he smiled down at his daughter. Behind him stood Nilas Naera, his hands respectfully clasped behind his back, proudly displaying the Sarre family crest over his heart on the left side of his chest.

Now, come, my dear; it's nearly time for dinner, her father chimed in with his weighty, aristocratic accent. At that very moment, Elisota's mother entered, her younger brother and twin sibling trailing behind her.

Upon spotting their father, the youngest, a mere ten years old, darted into his welcoming embrace. Elisota and her twin brother, on the brink of their sixteenth birthday, shared a striking resemblance. They possessed the same light-brown hair, inherited from their mother, and their eyes, a rich chestnut hue, mirrored their father's. Although her brother's hair was tinged with a slightly lighter shade of brown.

Her mother and twin brother departed the corridor, passing through the magnificent open doors. With a regal air, Elisota's father and Elisota