Throne of Flames
n rose like a blade over Ikora's towers. In the Garden of Mirr
but their eyes were sharp. They spoke in wh
he little snake has done it. S
id, her voice low and cold. "Wrapped in his clo
g ignores us. He didn't call for wine, didn't attend court.
muttered. But at least that useless seraya is dow
alace - the distant clang of steel, the voices of ministers... and eshara
rol now," Lina
r below, in a cell beneath stone
××××××××××××
had never known
was thick with incense and unease. Advisors li
ed ti
h as Mila, the handmaiden, stepped i
med, her body trembling in fear from
tood beside him now, not behind. Her hand rested on the throne's arm-his ar
rl bow
Mila said soft
brings you here? If it is t
me because i know that the
s eyes
ched. "seeking
i don't know what happened but am sure t
own Seraya had an affair this and have k
growled. He rose
Do you know why you are s
nds tr
t her. A full
e gave a single
g Ser
ne, Eshara's finger
ueen felt a shift in the air as if
m the darkness beyond, two guards eme
Her hair was matted, her wrists bruised. But her eyes-thoug
and saw Kael o
m, the snake
imson and gold. Ser
knees again before the king. "Please, Your Majesty. Sh
tened. His knuc
tion what were you during at that time instead of being in the feast. Seraya couldn't say anythi
ed royal law. Spok
d. "I-I only spoke
ised hi
, In the squa
ourt
head weakly. "No
d. "If that is my punishment, I accept it. I
ned away from them all, his cloak
ain!" he roared. "Let no one
e exit, his guards s
soothe your spirit. You don't have to carry this rage alone..." But Kael didn't sto
×××××××××××××
s the fifty-seven kingdo
, from icebound citadels to desert palaces, banners we
ains of the 57 kingdoms are to appear at the Royal Square of
ions. Flags waved. Trumpets blar
l, the Square of Ikora reb
day dawned
nts, and kings from distant lands stood in respectful silence. The ga
m, the four wives, Lina, Velira, Rhana, and Eshara, watched from thei
ang out, deep
ms. In my palace, there shall be n
aise
egin the sentence. Fifty
through the air, and with it the pain began. Blood streaked down her back. Mi
lash
en
ir
e began t
el raised his hand
her, and Mila coll
's voice
. the seco
o crown, only chains. Her once-fine hair tangled, h
Kael, and he lo
ipped of your title as queen. You are to be remember
wd grew
on hers. "You will be a slav
followed. Then a
she cheat on the king." Th
te her!!. Voices fr
KING KAEL