Blood and Bargains

In the underbelly of Faery, Isabela Keris survives by her wits and her spear, tending wounds and fighting in the pits for coin. When her father's failed assassination attempt on the infamous Duke Varistan Yllaxira threatens both their lives, Isabela offers herself in his place, forging a life-debt bargain with the half-dragon duke. The exchange is not just a transaction of bodies and blood, but a collision of two worlds: the pragmatic, battered human and the powerful, isolated fae noble. The bargain is struck in desperation, but it sets in motion a chain of events that will upend the balance of power in Faery—and the boundaries of Isabela's own heart.

The Dragon's Choice

Varistan, the Flame of Faery, is a man marked by war and transformation, his body a patchwork of fae and dragon. When Isabela offers herself to save her father, Varistan accepts, binding her to him as his body-servant. The choice is not without cost: Varistan is haunted by his monstrous form and the isolation it brings, while Isabela is thrust into a world of courtly intrigue, danger, and desire. Their uneasy alliance is forged in the aftermath of violence, but beneath the surface, both are drawn to the possibility of something more than mere survival.

A Life for a Life

Isabela's new life as Varistan's servant is fraught with tension. She tends his wounds, dresses him, and navigates the treacherous etiquette of the fae court, all while plotting to use her proximity to the duke for the benefit of the human resistance. Varistan, for his part, is both fascinated and frustrated by Isabela's defiance and competence. Their relationship is a dance of power, resentment, and reluctant trust, complicated by the ever-present threat of violence and the shadow of their bargain.

Bound to the Flame

As Isabela and Varistan travel together, their physical proximity and mutual need for comfort blur the lines between master and servant. The duke's draconic instincts—possessive, tactile, and hungry—clash with Isabela's fierce independence. Yet, in moments of vulnerability, they find solace in each other's arms, sharing warmth against the cold and confessions in the dark. The boundaries of their bargain begin to erode, replaced by a growing intimacy neither fully understands or trusts.

The Devil's Embrace

In the heart of Nyx Shaeras, Isabela becomes both confidante and temptation to Varistan. Their nights are filled with charged encounters—bathing, tending wounds, and the slow, electric build of desire. Yet, secrets fester: Isabela's true allegiance to the resistance, Varistan's shame over his body and past, and the unspoken truth of their growing dependence on one another. The city itself is a crucible, testing their loyalties and forcing them to confront what they truly want from each other.

Unlikely Companions

Isabela finds unexpected camaraderie among the castle's healers and soldiers, her skill in the ring earning her respect. Varistan, meanwhile, is both feared and pitied by his peers, his monstrous form a constant reminder of the war's cost. Together, they navigate the politics of Nyx Shaeras, the threat of external enemies, and the internal struggle to trust one another. Their partnership, once born of necessity, becomes a source of strength—and vulnerability.

Storms and Surrender

When a storm batters the coast, Varistan takes Isabela flying, sharing with her the wild freedom of the skies. The experience is both exhilarating and intimate, breaking down the last of Isabela's defenses. Stranded together in a remote waystation, they finally give in to the desire simmering between them, their bodies and hearts entwined in a night of passion and confession. Yet, even as they surrender to each other, the world outside grows more dangerous, and the consequences of their union begin to unfold.

The City of Beasts

Tasked with forging a trade alliance with Maestrizen—the City of Beasts—Isabela and Varistan journey across the sea. In Maestrizen, Isabela's skills as a negotiator and her knowledge of Faery Sign make her indispensable, and she is recognized as Varistan's equal by the city's wildling leaders. The experience transforms her, awakening a sense of power and belonging she has never known. For Varistan, Maestrizen is both a challenge and a revelation: a place where his monstrous form is not a curse, and where he can imagine a future beyond shame.

The Price of Trust

As their partnership deepens, so too does the web of secrets and lies. Isabela discovers that her bond to Varistan is not what it seems, and that the power dynamics between them are more complex—and more dangerous—than she realized. When Varistan's debts come due and old enemies return, both are forced to confront the truth of their feelings and the price they are willing to pay for each other's safety. The revelation of their soulmate bond shatters the fragile trust between them, leaving both adrift and wounded.

Revelations and Ruin

The truth of their soulmate bond comes to light in the most brutal way: a public duel, orchestrated by Varistan's enemy, Xilvaris. Forced to fight as enemies, Isabela and Varistan are both pushed to their limits—physically, emotionally, and magically. The battle is not just for survival, but for the right to choose their own fate. In the aftermath, Isabela claims her place as Duchess of Nyx Shaeras, but the victory is hollow, the cost of betrayal and broken trust leaving both soulmates shattered.

The Duel of Soulmates

As the Raven King moves to destroy them, Isabela and Varistan are besieged on all sides—by armies, by magic, and by the weight of their own choices. In a final, desperate confrontation, Varistan is possessed by the King, and Isabela must fight not only for her life, but for his soul. Their connection—once a source of comfort and strength—becomes the battleground for the fate of Nyx Shaeras itself. Only by choosing each other, above all else, can they hope to survive.

Shattered Bonds

In the crucible of battle, Varistan makes the ultimate sacrifice, destroying the signet that binds him to Nyx Shaeras and choosing Isabela over everything he has ever known. The act severs the old order, birthing a new Court—Lightning Court—out of their union. The cost is immense: the loss of home, power, and certainty. Yet, in the ashes of the old world, something new and wild is born, forged in love, pain, and the refusal to surrender to fate.

The Duchess Ascends

With the old order shattered, Isabela steps into her role as Duchess—and, with Varistan, as the heart of Lightning Court. Together, they free the bondservants, rewrite the laws of their land, and face down the enemies who would see them destroyed. Their partnership, once fraught with imbalance and deception, becomes a model of shared power and mutual devotion. In the face of revolution, they find not only victory, but a new sense of purpose and belonging.

Forgiveness and Fire

The aftermath of revolution is not peace, but the hard work of rebuilding—of forgiving old wounds, healing new ones, and learning to trust again. Isabela and Varistan, now equals in power and love, must navigate the challenges of ruling a newborn Court, the demands of their people, and the lingering scars of betrayal. Through it all, their love—tempered by fire and forgiveness—becomes the foundation of Lightning Court.

Revolution at Dawn

As Lightning Court rises, Isabela and Varistan lead their people through the chaos of change. They face down the Raven King, negotiate with neighboring lords, and welcome the wildlings, mortals, and outcasts who flock to their banner. The work is endless, the challenges immense, but together they are unstoppable. Their love, once a source of pain and confusion, becomes a beacon of hope for all who seek a place in the new world.

Lightning Court Rises

With the borders of Lightning Court secured and their enemies defeated, Isabela and Varistan turn their attention to the future. They welcome new allies, reunite with old friends, and begin to imagine a life beyond survival—a life of joy, purpose, and, perhaps, family. The Court they have built is not just a place, but a promise: that love, in all its wildness and imperfection, can change the world.

Balance Restored

The journey from blood and bargains to love and equality is not a straight path, but Isabela and Varistan walk it together, piece by piece. Their partnership—once fraught with imbalance and pain—becomes a model of shared power, mutual respect, and enduring passion. In the heart of Lightning Court, they find not only each other, but themselves, and the promise of eternity.

Eternity Together

In the end, Isabela and Varistan are not just survivors, but creators: of a new Court, a new order, and a new way of loving. Their story is one of pain and forgiveness, of sacrifice and joy, of the wild, untamable power of love. Together, they face the future—not as master and servant, but as soulmates, partners, and equals. In the heart of Lightning Court, they find not only victory, but the promise of forever.

Characters

Isabela Keris

Isabela is a human born in Faery, forged in the crucible of violence, loss, and the struggle for survival. Pragmatic, sharp-tongued, and fiercely independent, she is both a healer and a fighter, equally at home tending wounds or wielding a spear. Her relationship with Varistan begins as a bargain for her father's life, but evolves into a complex dance of power, trust, and desire. Isabela's journey is one of self-discovery: from bondservant to duchess, from pawn to partner, from survivor to soulmate. Her greatest strength is her refusal to surrender—to fate, to fear, or to the limitations others place on her. Through pain, betrayal, and love, she becomes the heart of Lightning Court, remaking the world in her own image.

Varistan Yllaxira

Varistan, the Flame of Faery, is a man marked by war, loss, and transformation. Once a beautiful fae noble, he is now a patchwork of fae and dragon, his body a constant reminder of the Annihilation War's cost. Isolated by his monstrous form and tormented by shame, Varistan is both arrogant and deeply vulnerable, his draconic instincts warring with his longing for connection. His relationship with Isabela is a lifeline, drawing him out of isolation and into the possibility of love, partnership, and redemption. Varistan's journey is one of self-acceptance: learning to love his body, to trust another, and to choose love over power. In the end, he sacrifices everything for Isabela, and in doing so, finds himself—and a new Court—reborn.

Xilvaris

Xilvaris is a fae lord who thrives on manipulation, bargains, and the suffering of others. His enmity with Varistan is both personal and political, rooted in old debts and the desire for power. Xilvaris orchestrates the duel that exposes Isabela and Varistan's soulmate bond, setting in motion the events that lead to revolution. He is a master of fae politics, wielding promises and favors as weapons, and his actions force both protagonists to confront the truth of their relationship and the cost of their choices.

Lianka Vasetorys

Lianka is a fae healer with a battlefield's worth of experience and a sharp, no-nonsense demeanor. She becomes one of Isabela's first true allies in Nyx Shaeras, offering both medical care and emotional support. Lianka's presence is a grounding force, her friendship a reminder that even in a world of monsters and magic, kindness and loyalty endure. She is instrumental in helping both Isabela and Varistan heal—physically and emotionally—after the traumas they endure.

Alpha

Alpha is the enigmatic head of the human resistance in Nyx Shaeras, orchestrating the delicate balance between survival and rebellion. She is pragmatic, cautious, and fiercely protective of her people, willing to make hard choices for the greater good. Alpha's interactions with Isabela force the protagonist to confront the complexities of power, loyalty, and the cost of revolution. She is both ally and challenger, pushing Isabela to define what kind of leader—and lover—she wants to be.

Raylien

Raylien is a wildling fae who serves as Isabela and Varistan's guide in Maestrizen. Her presence is a reminder of the diversity and resilience of Faery's outcasts, and her friendship with Isabela is a testament to the power of empathy and understanding. Raylien's role as the vicereine's daughter and her acceptance of her wildling nature challenge the prejudices of both protagonists, helping them envision a world where difference is not a curse, but a strength.

Sintuviel

Sintuviel is Varistan's steward and chief of staff, a fae of impeccable professionalism and quiet loyalty. He serves as a bridge between the old order and the new, offering counsel, stability, and a steady hand as Nyx Shaeras transforms. Sintuviel's willingness to adapt—and to trust Isabela—reflects the broader changes sweeping through Lightning Court, and his presence is a reminder that even the most entrenched traditions can be remade.

Stellaris

Stellaris is a fae soldier and duelist who becomes one of Isabela's sparring partners and allies. Her willingness to challenge Isabela—and to accept her as an equal—mirrors the broader shifts in Faery's social order. Stellaris represents the possibility of friendship and respect across lines of difference, and her presence in the story is a testament to the power of shared struggle and mutual admiration.

Tjarrek

Tjarrek is a wildling fae and commander of Nyx Shaeras' navy, embodying the new possibilities of Lightning Court. His pride in his wildling heritage and his loyalty to Isabela and Varistan are emblematic of the changes sweeping through the land. Tjarrek's leadership and courage are instrumental in defending the Court during its most vulnerable moments.

The Raven King (Tathalin Xirangyl)

The Raven King is the embodiment of the old order: powerful, bitter, and unwilling to accept the changes sweeping through Faery. His enmity towards Varistan and Isabela is both personal and political, rooted in the traumas of war and the fear of losing control. The King's attempts to destroy Lightning Court force the protagonists to confront the full cost of revolution—and the necessity of forging a new path, even at the expense of the past.

Plot Devices

Life-debt Bargain

The story's inciting incident is a fae life-debt bargain: Isabela offers herself to Varistan in exchange for her father's life. This device sets up the central power imbalance, but also subverts it, as the true nature of their bond is revealed to be that of soulmates—rendering the bargain both binding and illusory. The life-debt is a vehicle for exploring themes of agency, consent, and the ways in which power can be both weapon and shield.

Soulmate Bond

The revelation that Isabela and Varistan are soulmates is the story's emotional and narrative fulcrum. It transforms their relationship from one of coercion and resentment to one of mutual choice and sacrifice. The soulmate bond is used to interrogate the nature of love, destiny, and the possibility of true equality in a world built on hierarchy and debt. It also serves as a plot engine, driving the story towards its climactic confrontation and ultimate resolution.

Power Imbalance and Reversal

The story is structured around a series of power reversals: Isabela's initial subjugation, her rise to duchess, Varistan's surrender of his signet, and their eventual balance as soulmates and co-rulers. These reversals are mirrored in the narrative structure, with each act forcing the characters to confront their own limitations, desires, and capacity for forgiveness. The constant negotiation of power—physical, emotional, magical—is both a source of tension and the means by which the characters achieve true partnership.

Political Intrigue and Revolution

The story's external conflicts—Varistan's debts, Xilvaris' schemes, the Raven King's ultimatum—are woven into the fabric of the protagonists' relationship. Political intrigue is not just a backdrop, but a crucible that tests and refines their bond. The revolution that births Lightning Court is both a literal and metaphorical transformation, mirroring the internal revolutions of the characters themselves.

Dual Narrative Structure

The story frequently alternates between Isabela's and Varistan's points of view, allowing the reader to experience the same events through different lenses. This duality is mirrored in the plot's structure: each major turning point is both a personal and political crisis, forcing the characters to choose each other—and themselves—again and again. The use of mirrored arcs and repeated motifs (bargains, dances, duels) reinforces the story's central themes of balance, choice, and transformation.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The story is rich with foreshadowing: the repeated references to fire, lightning, and storms; the motif of bargains and broken promises; the symbolism of the signet ring and the aurora pearls. These elements are not just decorative, but serve to bind the narrative together, signaling to the reader the deeper connections between characters, events, and the world itself.

Analysis

"Claimed by the Flame of Faery" is a lush, emotionally charged fantasy romance that interrogates the nature of power, consent, and transformation in a world built on bargains and blood. At its heart, the novel is a story of two outcasts—one human, one fae—who are forced into intimacy by circumstance, but who ultimately choose each other in defiance of fate, tradition, and their own fears. The book's central lesson is that true love is not about destiny or dominance, but about the willingness to see, forgive, and fight for one another, even when it means sacrificing everything else. Through its intricate worldbuilding, nuanced characters, and deft use of plot devices, the novel explores the ways in which systems of oppression can be both internalized and overthrown, and how the work of building a better world begins with the courage to claim one's own heart. In the end, Isabela and Varistan's journey is not just a romance, but a revolution—a testament to the wild, untamable power of love to remake the world, piece by piece, into something new.

Last updated: October 30, 2025