Throne of Flames

From the ice cliffs of Zarasha to the burning dunes of Taloré, the might of King Kael Aruzi stretched over fifty-seven kingdoms, and every king bent their knee to him. His name was spoken in awe. His presence was like a storm. He was handsome and merciless-from the stars-for one of dominion.

Kael was seven feet tall, his voice could break silence, and his fists could end wars. No man was more powerful than he, and no force is bigger than his army. No woman could ever have him except, an orphaned one.

She hailed from the Vale of Ellah, famous for honey-skinned girls and silent rivers. Seraya was not merely beautiful, she was entrancing.

Her eyes were full of enigmatic power, her voice could easily restrain the angriest person, and her figure resembled a work of art from the most famous sculptors. She became his queen, the most precious jewel of his house. However, five years had gone by and she was still childless. Kael's advisers were not in a mood to sit still.

They became the focus of the oracles' whispered speculations. The kings of the vassal lands were whispering behind their veils. "A king with no heir invites war," they said. Therefore, he got married again. Later more. Until he had five wives.The second wife, Lina, was furious and loud-mouthed. The third, Velira, was of noble descent.

The fourth, Rhana, was charming and crafty. Eshara, the fifth, was the youngest and the most dangerous. They all have given him two daughters each, total being 8. Gorgeous girls with their mothers' charm. Still, the son was missing. Besides that even though Kael tried hard, he loved Seraya most. Only she could appease his anger.

No one else but her could speak to him without fear. Thus, she became an enemy.The fifth wife, Eshara, could not accept the fact. Like Seraya, she had a pretty face, was full of wits, and very seductive and wild. She understood Seraya's quiet smile as an attack against her, the grace of it as a joke. So, she decided to get rid of her.One night, as the royal court gathered for the Feast of Moons, Eshara whispered to Lina, the second wife, and Rhana, the fourth. They were still rivals but the feeling of jealousy is stronger than blood relation, isn't it? They agreed that today will be the day Seraya falls. Eshara'sservant confiscated a small amount of powder and placed it in Seraya's wine.

While the feast was filled with laughter and music, Seraya was no longer able to keep up with the pace. Giddiness consigned her. Her fingers went numb.Take her to her chamber," Eshara said in a sweet tone. "The queen must rest." Lina, with her venomous silence, dispatched a loyal palace guard to sneak into Seraya's chamber after the drug took hold. She then turned to Rhana. "Go. Tell the king. "Let him catch her in the act."

When Kael's war general whispered a word in his ear, during his speech at the high table, he replied, "Your Majesty... there is something you must see. Now." Kael was at a loss as to whether he should indulge his curiosity or remain in ignorance. At the moment Kael stood up, the hall turned silent. None of the revelry sounds were heard, just the tapping of his boots on the marble as he rushed along the corridors of the palace, his cloak following him like a trail of fire.

His jaw was clenched, his eyes burning with suspicion, and his fingers were dangerously close to the hilt of Ul'nor. "Lead the way," he yelled. Rhana trailed behind him, her eyes on the ground to mask her satisfaction. Eshara was at her heels, her heart pounding and already picturing the queen's screams, the king's anger, and the downfall of the only woman who was standing in her way. The royal guards swung open the chamber doors.

The golden doors swung open with a noise made only by a man in a very great rage. Kael did not find the scene in the room what he had pictured. Seraya was sprawled on the silk-covered bed, in her feast clothes, with one arm over her side, and one leg hanging loosely from the mattress.

A golden cup was on the floor, turned upside down, and the wine that spilled from it stained the rug beneath her. The guard, who was shirtless and standing beside the bed, was like a nervous person, breathing hard. Kael's narrowed eyes. "This what?" The tone was full of menace The space felt too small like it was earlier. The banquet noise went away and was now replaced by the pounding of his heart. His gold-ringed fingers moved slightly. The sharp intake of his breath flared his nostrils. "WHAT. IS. THIS?" the loud voice broke the silence.

The guard immediately sank down on his knees. "My king-I beg-listen, I-she-she wasn't-" Kael didn't catch it. His gaze was fixed on the cup that was on the floor. The spilled red wine. Seraya's limbs were loose. The smell of treason that stung his nose was even worse than poison.Behind him, the third and fifth wives-Velira and Eshara-were standing and watching. Heads bowed. Faces calm.

Rhana, who was standing besides his highness, whispered, "It is just as we feared, Your Majesty..." Kael just barely turned his head to hear her words, but it was not enough to cool the storm that was raging behind his eyes. Seraya stirred then. She groaned softly, her brow corrugating because of the confusion. Her hand passed across the silk. She was trying to raise her head, but it was too heavy, so it went down. Her lips moved. "kael?" she whispered.

Kael felt his heart breaking-however, his rage was coming stronger and it was twisting it shut. "YOU DARE to say my name?" His voice was shaking the pillars.Seraya was blinking, attempting to get up. She noticed the guard that was on one knee. The sword that was at Kael's side. The line of guards at the door. She blinked again. "What... what is going on?" Her voice was very low and it was broken. Kael drew out Ul'nor, its dark steel shining under the light of the fire. The guard was screaming and was crawling backward.

"I am not guilty! I swear"Kael took a step forward and swung.With a single motion, without any hesitation, the sword came down and the guard's head was off clean. The voices of surprise were heard from behind. Red paint-like blood started spreading out on the floor that was made of silk. Seraya cried out when her body shocked suddenly and became alert because of the terror. "NO! KAEL, PLEASE!" Kael slowly turned around, his golden eyes were bright. He looked at her, his chest going up and down.

You have disgraced me in my own home," He said in a cool voice. "You have not only taken your room but also my house of honor." "No!" she shouted. "this is really a misunderstanding, please, listen, I am not aware of what has happened here." However, Kael did not hear her and he certainly could not understand her. He gave a look to his men. "Take her to the underground cell.

Make sure she is not given food and water until I say so."Seraya made an attempt to get up but her legs were not steady, the sleeping powder that was still active in her body made her feel heavier. Two guards took her arms. "I AM NOT GUILTY!" she said in a loud voice that seemed to penetrate the palace like a curse. He went away from the room. Seraya's voice still carried long in the air after him.