Through blood and fire, Na Feri lo Kayda is the champion of her realm's trials. She will be Queen when her time comes. Per Royal Law, the second place finisher is destined to become Feri's mate. But it is no nobleman who rises victorious. If Feri cannot find a way to loosen his grip, the victor's claim to the throne -- and to her -- may raze her realm to nothing but flame and ash.

Embrace the burn of this standalone fantasy romance, fraught with high royal drama, plot twists, and forbidden love. It can be read on its own but is included with other novels by Teshelle Combs in the First Collection.

Excerpt from Episode 2 of The First Flame: He Cannot Have Her
The ruckus only livened further. The crowd began to push in closer, threatening the positions of the remaining guards. Indal, cool and cunning as always, paced back and forth behind my father, his eyes on the victor, planning something indubitably devious. Garro still howled in rage. And Koa No Name still knelt in silence, his head low, his white locs obscuring his features.

No matter if he showed it or not. I knew each curve of his face, every angle. The sharpness of his jaw. The depth of his honey eyes.

My brothers did not make matters any simpler as they gathered at the news of a champion. The little ones leapt about, like foxes newly freed from their cages. The older ones simmered, like lightning preparing to strike.

"Are you planning on doing something, Feri, or are you going to wait until we all combust?" Mai-ika mumbled.

"Why cannot you do something, Mai?" I whispered.

"Because I am not you."

How much longer do I have to be me, I wonder? With a sigh, I stepped off the platform, still gripping my side to stem the bleeding. With each of my steps, I noticed the people quiet, their eyes pulled to my presence. And by the time I reached my mother and father on the ground below, all was still.

I raised my head, jutting my jaw toward my mother as a sign of respect and deference. "What would you see done here, High Queen Alema?"

My mother clicked her tongue. "I will question this impostor."

So she has already passed her judgment. She does not think he is a viable candidate. She needs only some proof to her claim so that she may take his life.

But I could not bear to see Koa lit up. I could not bear it. Of this I was certain. If she tried to take his life, mine would be forfeit. I would defend him, even against my own. He would be the death of me.

"You there. Why is your head lowered in shame? Lift it. Now. And face me if you plan to claim this victory." I had heard Alema angry before, but the sharp cut of her tone made my head ache.

No, no, no. I held my breath. I bit my lip. I dug my fingernails into my skin. Please, Esh, I prayed to the Ancients. Please help him.

Koa tilted his head back as he was told. I memorized the tension in each of his muscles, how they pulled and released when he moved. I stared as his long locs slid over his shoulders and away from his face as he lifted it to the High Queen.

And then I shut my eyes. Because I knew what would come next would seal his fate and mine.

Enter this devastation, taste the passion, savor the romance, and hold onto your heart. Welcome to The First Flame.

Other stories in the First Collection include: The First Dryad, The First Stone, The First Nymph

• We started tracking this book on June 27, 2023.
• This book was $2.99 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 15 times in the past 885 days.
• The current price of this book is FREE last checked 6 hours ago.
• The lowest price to date was FREE last reached on November 27, 2025.
• This book has been FREE 3 times since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was $5.99 last reached on January 24, 2024.
• This book has been $5.99 one time since we started tracking it.
• This book is currently at its lowest price since we started tracking it.

• Science Fiction & FantasyFantasySword & Sorcery

• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 377 Pages
• File Size: 31 KB