Frozen in Flames
Others of Seattle: Book 9
Brandy L Rivers
Brandy L Rivers
Copyright 2019 Brandy L Rivers
http://brandylrivers.com
Cover Design by Brandy L Rivers
Edited by Emily A. Lawrence
www.lawrenceediting.com
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Others of Edenton
New Beginnings
In Too Deep
Shadows Fall
Shadows of the Past
Fated Love
Falling Into Place
Breaking Free
Mending Scars
Labor of Love
Light in Darkness
Blissful Agony
Deep Trouble
Entangled Darkness
Blood Bound
Woven Fates
Others of Seattle
Nights Embrace
Storm Mistress
Accepting Fate
Red Queen
Seductive Solutions
Changing Destiny
Coming Together
Storm Wrath
Twisted Bonds
Darkness Binds
Frozen in Flames
Nights Embrace Spin Off
Summer Rhythm
Branches of Emrys
Sleepwalker
Dreams of Change
Finding Hawk
Chasing Dove
Shattered Reality (coming 2019)
Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke
Cursed Vengeance
Vengeance Unraveled
Shifted Vengeance (Coming 2019)
Combustible
Heart on Fire
Falling Star
Sweet Tooth
Backburn
Love Behind the Scenes
The Callback
The Long Shot
Untitled (Coming 2019)
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Table of Contents
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
About Brandy L Rivers
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Dedication
To my baby girl, Sofia
I love you more than anything
You’re beautiful and special
And always make Mama proud
Prologue
More than four hundred years ago…
One look and Alenathos fell hard for the beauty bathing in his lake. He swam to her, shifting from his serpent form to human. “Aren’t you lovely? Have you lost your way?”
Her flaming red hair shone in the sunlight. Her eyes flickered with eternal flame. Ruby scales formed over her skin as she turned toward him.
A smile crept across his lips as he met the gaze of the breathtaking fire dragon. But what was she doing in his home?
“Why would you think I lost my way?” Her words were filled with smoke. “You don’t own this lake.”
He moved closer. “It is my home. Certainly you know who I am.”
Her smile widened. “I do not. Though I see you’re my enemy.” Light danced through her gorgeous eyes as she closed more distance.
“Why do we have to be enemies? You may be a fire dragon, but I hold no prejudice.” Though most dragons hated any element but their own. Alenathos had never been so closed-minded. However, he’d never heard of a fire dragon willing to acquaint themselves with a water dragon. If any two elements hated each other more than others it was the fire and water clans of dragons.
“I suppose we don’t have to be.” She reached out, trailing one finger down his chest as her scales faded away, revealing rosy skin. “No one can know of our friendship.”
Hope burst free. Perhaps she was likeminded. He leaned closer to whisper against her ear, “Who would I tell? My family disowned me.” Never mind why.
Saressa had tricked him into becoming her slave. The queen of the Water Realm had lured him in by capturing his newborn sister. He saved her, but Saressa stabbed him in the back with an enchanted blade. She enslaved him before healing his body. He’d searched far and wide for a way to escape for years. At least she only called on him when she had need of him. And the sadistic bitch often preferred to get her hands dirty, which left him free to roam Faery.
“A strong water dragon like yourself? I would imagine they would want to keep you close.”
He lifted a shoulder. “And how do you know my strength?”
“Look at you. Your aura flows with your element. What is your name?”
“Alenathos.”
Her brow arched. “And you don’t mind the company of a fire dragon?”
“Not in the least. And such a beauty as yourself probably hates my kind.”
“.”
“I crave your name,” he murmured, looking deep into her eyes.
“Fuerah.” She flattened her hand on his chest, pressing closer while running her nose up his neck. “I find you exciting and refreshing, Alenathos.”
“Not nearly as much as I do you,” he admitted.
“My family would prefer I choose one of my own. None of them stir up such interest or desire. None of them excite me like you.”
He licked his lips, staring at her deep red mouth. “And you excite me.”
One of her hands wrapped around his hip, pulling him toward the shore. “Let’s forget about our families and make some trouble.”
He nipped her lips and she kissed him, thrusting her tongue into his mouth. There was no denying her. She wanted him. He was going to make love to her until she forgot every last dragon she’d ever laid eyes on.
* * * *
Fuerah should have walked away the moment she’d heard Alenathos’ name. And yet, she’d never felt anything like what he made her feel. Alive, desired, wanted.
His kiss was passionate, almost desperate. He wrapped his arm around her, banishing any distance. His body was a drug. She couldn’t get enough.
He laid her back kissing down her body, tantalizing her senses. Alenathos explored her with seductive touches, passionate kisses. His mouth closed over one nipple
as he cupped the other breast.
Nothing felt as good as his touch.
“Tell me you want me,” he murmured before kissing down her ribs.
She gripped a handful of blue hair and pulled him back. “More than anything. And I want you now.”
He caressed down her body, sliding his fingers through her slippery sex. “You do.”
Pushing his hand away, she gripped his length and pulled him where she wanted.
“I won’t deny you,” he answered huskily. Alenathos pressed into her, taking his time.
She rolled him to his back and rose up before sliding down, taking him all the way in. As she moved her hips, he sat up, catching her face and kissing her again.
Fuerah moved over him, instinct pushing her to a desperate pace. She only knew one thing. She needed Alenathos.
“Slow,” he whispered.
“Later,” she answered. In that moment she was ready to leave everything behind if she could have him always. Kissing his neck, she made love to him.
The bond formed, taking her breath away as she came with him.
“Fuerah,” he called out.
She kissed him softly, relishing the way he responded. His desire was as strong as hers. The beginning of something more.
He pulled her over him as he lay back. “My fire.”
“My heart,” she answered, closing her eyes.
Her mate. A dragon her family would never accept. A legendary warrior of the wrong element. “Tell me I can stay.”
“Yes,” he whispered.
* * * *
The sun had come and gone, only to return. Fuerah sat beside Alenathos, hand in hand, watching the sun fade away once again. He looked into her beautiful eyes. “You would give up everything for me?”
One brow arched. “I made the decision when we first touched.”
He sighed, looking out over the water. “I’m not a free dragon, Fuerah. I should have told you. Did you wonder why my family exiled me?”
She shook her head.
He stared out over the water. “Saressa took my infant sister. I freed her, and Saressa claimed me as hers.”
“In body?” Fuerah asked.
“She has not touched me. But she is my master.”
She smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder. “I have one. Her brother, in fact.” How ironic. His master was the queen of the Water Realm, while his mate’s was the King of the Fire Realm. Saressa’s goal was to wrest control from Reance and take both kingdoms, while he strived to keep them separate and offer refuge to those from the Water Realm who could escape.
“What a pair we make.” Sadness flowed through him as he took her hand. “I may be forced to fight against you in battle.” Not only was their love forbidden, but they could very likely be forced to kill one another.
“Reance would prevent that.” Fuerah sat up, looking into his eyes. “Do not fear. He will keep us safe.”
“You don’t know Saressa, Fuerah. She’s a cruel woman. The things she has done are more than despicable. She rarely has need of me, and I stay here, out of reach of the Water Realm, where she can’t watch over me.”
She leaned against his side. “And if we could find a way to break the hold Saressa has over you?” she asked.
“I’d take it.” He looked into her eyes. “I loathe her.”
“You’re still mine.”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “And you’re mine. That doesn’t mean I wish we could share every moment, but she can never know of our bond. And if she learned of us, she would do everything in her power to break the both of us.”
“I’m not afraid of her,” she answered boldly.
Looking away, tears filled his eyes. “I am. I’ve watched her destroy many people over the years.”
“She can’t take you from me,” Fuerah stated.
He wished she were right, but he knew better. If Saressa ever learned what Fuerah was, she would find a way to destroy their bond.
“She won’t,” Fuerah insisted.
He nodded, but couldn’t find words.
* * * *
After Saressa tricked Endiscot into becoming her mate, she demanded more of his time to ensure Endiscot stayed in line. His presence usually kept Endiscot from any transgression, but it took Alenathos away from his love far too often.
Not to mention, Fuerah’s family required more of her time of late, attempting to convince her to choose a mate. They didn’t know about him. That was his doing, convincing her to take an oath to prevent her from telling them about him.
So she had to pretend she was looking. He didn’t care. He knew the truth. And yet, it broke his heart to force her silence. He curled up in their bed and closed his eyes, praying Fuerah would come to him soon.
He drifted off.
Soon, he woke to her slipping into bed behind him, wrapping her arm around his waist. He turned, engulfing her in his arms. “I’ve missed you.”
Nodding, she kissed his collarbone. “I hate the secrets.”
“You know why I insist. If they learn, they could go to Saressa. They could tear us apart. I need you more than having the world know you’re mine. You’re my only escape from the horrors she forces me to witness.”
“How can you still be happy with me when all we have are stolen moments?”
He sat up, his head tipping. “Are you not happy when you’re in my arms?”
“I’m happy whenever we are together. I still think we should go to Reance. He may know a way to break the bond to Saressa. He could protect you.”
“At what cost? Fuerah, you were blessed with a good master, one who won’t abuse your will. Every time she calls on me, it’s a struggle. If I could kill her I would, in a heartbeat. There is no question in my mind I would end her life if I had the opportunity. She enjoys ripping apart those who find love around her. I think it’s because she doesn’t know what love is.”
“You said she’s mated to Endiscot,” she argued.
“She’s obsessed with him. She used magic to bind them. It’s not a true mate bond. She doesn’t have what we have. She has some sick, twisted version of it.”
“I’m not giving up on you.”
“Neither am I. You’re the only thing keeping me afloat. You’re my everything.”
* * * *
Years turned to decades, then to centuries. Their love never faded, never faltered. And yet, Alenathos couldn’t help feeling like time was slipping away from him.
They’d been through so much. Fuerah had waited for months when Saressa had tortured him for so long he thought he’d died and awoke in the abyss after Endiscot had fled Faery.
He’d gone as far as trying to help Endiscot’s beloved Jayde to kill Saressa. He’d been desperate. And in the decades since, Saressa rarely called on him.
He’d given up on escaping his master. He went to her when called upon and obeyed. Then he would go on his way. She believed him broken. That wasn’t why he acted so. But if she believed he had no hope left, she wouldn’t seek out the one person to give him hope.
Fuerah touched his shoulder. “What is it, Alenathos?”
“I feel like everything is coming to an end.”
“Why?”
He shook his head. “Saressa has become agitated. More so than normal. She hasn’t shared her plan, but I fear the worst.”
“Why?” she asked quietly.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s ages of watching her destroy one person after another. When will it be my turn?”
“She relies on you from time to time.”
He laughed bitterly. “She’s destroyed those she’s counted on in the past. That doesn’t stop her.”
“You’re different. You have to follow her commands.”
He dipped his head. “You realize if she found out about our love, you would be the next thing she forces me to destroy? I wouldn’t survive.”
Sighing, she pulled him down, holding on to him. �
��And it’s why I’ve kept quiet all these years. As much as I hate it, I do it for you.”
He lay back, staring at the ceiling. “Are your parents still trying to convince you to marry?”
“Not often. It comes up occasionally. And I always tell them I wasn’t meant for the life they want. At least Reance has kept me busy lately.”
He closed his eyes. If he wasn’t terrified Reance would take revenge, he might go to him. Saressa would know and call him back.
She kissed his jaw, then his lips. “I love you, Alenathos.”
“I’ll always love you, Fuerah.”
* * * *
Months had passed. If he wasn’t at Saressa’s side, Fuerah was at Reance’s. He’d had a few stolen nights in all that time, but something seemed different about Fuerah. She held onto her glamor when she usually let it go. That didn’t matter. She was beautiful with or without and he couldn’t get enough of her.
“Alenathos, are you paying attention?” Saressa demanded.
He nodded. “I’m still waiting for you to tell me what has you so frazzled.”
Saressa pulled at her long scarlet curls as she crossed the distance. “That rotten bastard went and had a child.”
“What are you talking about?” Alenathos asked.
She pinned him with a glare. “Reance. He went and had a Storm Mistress with Aeryana. Isadora. He’s taking her to Earth to keep her safe. But you’re going to go and watch over her. When you have the chance, you will kill the little bitch and be done with it.”
“Earth?” he asked.
“Where else would Reance go? Henroyld can’t know his wife carries another man’s child. A man he’s been trying to slaughter for ages. And yet, my brother is always two steps ahead. So you will go to Earth and find a time my master leaves Isadora’s side so you can slaughter the babe before she has a chance to tear apart my reign.”
“Of course. When does he leave?”
“Tomorrow evening. I’ll call for you and open a portal when he’s left.”
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