Betrayal Above the Waves

Lark Axton, a trainee at Flighthaven and noble daughter of Aclaris, is swept away by her flight instructor and secret lover, Sterling. But the man she trusted is not who he seems—he is Prince Knox of Tirene, enemy to her kingdom. Betrayed and kidnapped, Lark is carried across the ocean, her world upended as she's delivered into the hands of Tirene's royal family. The revelation of Sterling's true identity shatters her trust, leaving her reeling with questions about her own origins, her powers, and her place in a deadly game she never agreed to play.

Enemy's Palace, Shattered Trust

Lark arrives at the majestic Tirene palace, a place built for winged royalty and warriors. She is thrust into a world of opulence, suspicion, and political intrigue, where her captor's betrayal stings as much as her uncertain fate. King Jasper, Knox's brother, claims Lark is Tirenese by blood and hints at a prophecy that could change the fate of kingdoms. Lark's heart is torn between anger at Sterling's deception and the magnetic pull she still feels toward him, even as she's paraded before the court as a potential pawn in a much larger game.

The King's Deadly Game

King Jasper wastes no time in testing Lark's rumored powers. She is thrown into an arena with dragons and, to her horror, her long-lost sister Leesa. The king's cruel spectacle is both a public trial and a private warning: Lark's life is not her own. Forced to use her fire magic and her mysterious ability to connect with dragons, Lark must save herself and her sister, proving she is the prophesied dragoncaller. The trauma of the trial cements her distrust of the king and the court, but also awakens a new sense of power and responsibility within her.

Prophecy and Dragoncaller

As Lark recovers, she learns more about the prophecy that surrounds her: a dragoncaller, neither of Tirene nor Aclaris, who will break and save worlds. The court's interest in her intensifies, and she is both celebrated and isolated. Her connection to the dragons deepens, and she begins to sense their emotions and communicate with them. Meanwhile, her relationship with Sterling/Knox grows more complicated, fraught with longing, anger, and the ever-present threat of discovery by the king.

Arena of Fire and Blood

Lark and Leesa's reunion is bittersweet, shadowed by the trauma of the arena and the secrets of their true parentage. Together, they piece together clues about Lark's origins, the prophecy, and the dangerous politics of Tirene. The sisters vow to protect each other, even as they realize they are pawns in a game that could cost them everything. Lark's growing powers and her status as dragoncaller make her both a target and a potential savior.

Sisters Reunited, Secrets Revealed

Lark's adoptive mother arrives in Tirene, bringing with her a flood of painful memories and long-buried truths. The confrontation is raw and emotional, forcing Lark to confront the lies that shaped her life. As she struggles to forgive and move forward, she finds unexpected allies in the palace—Sterling's friends Agnar and Blair, and the formidable Lady Rhiann. Together, they begin to unravel the deeper mysteries of the prophecy and the threat lurking in the shadows.

Court Intrigue and Dangerous Desires

The palace is a web of secrets, alliances, and forbidden desires. Lark and Sterling's relationship simmers with unresolved passion and mutual distrust, complicated by the king's growing interest in Lark as both a political asset and a potential bride. Court banquets and dances become battlegrounds for power, with Lark learning to play the game of masks and manipulation. The threat of exposure—and the king's wrath—hangs over every stolen moment.

Banquet of Masks and Motives

At a lavish banquet, King Jasper publicly claims Lark as his betrothed, igniting jealousy and fury in Sterling. The announcement is both a political maneuver and a personal blow, forcing Lark to navigate the treacherous waters of courtship, rivalry, and her own conflicted heart. The court's eyes are on her, and every move is scrutinized for weakness or advantage. Meanwhile, rumors of raids and unrest in the kingdom grow, hinting at a larger threat on the horizon.

The King's Claim, The Prince's Fury

Sterling's jealousy and the king's possessiveness come to a head, threatening to expose Lark's secret relationship and endangering them both. The king's demand for Lark's loyalty—and her womb—becomes explicit, and she is forced to choose between survival and self-respect. The tension between the brothers escalates, with Lark caught in the middle. As the kingdom teeters on the brink of war, personal and political stakes become inseparable.

Training, Temptation, and Treason

Sterling trains Lark in the arts of flight, magic, and combat, pushing her to the limits of her abilities. Their connection deepens, both physically and emotionally, even as the threat of discovery looms. Lark's powers grow, and she begins to sense a darkness gathering at the edges of the kingdom. The dragons become restless, and strange deaths among magical creatures hint at a sinister force awakening. Lark and Sterling's alliance becomes both a source of strength and a potential liability.

Shadows in the Archives

Lark's research in the Royal Archives uncovers a hidden prophecy and a forbidden book: The Chronicles of the Mother Wurm. The text hints at the return of the drachen—creatures of shadow and blood, long thought to be myth. As Lark pieces together the clues, she realizes the threat is not just political but existential. The kingdom's history is repeating itself, and she may be the only one who can stop the coming darkness.

The Dragons' Warning

The dragons flee the palace, their terror a warning of an approaching catastrophe. Lark's connection to them becomes a double-edged sword, overwhelming her with fear and urgency. As magical creatures die in mysterious ways and shadowy figures stalk the land, Lark and Sterling race to uncover the truth. The king's secrets, the missing eyril, and the prophecy all point to a looming disaster that could consume Tirene and beyond.

Poison, Prison, and Perseverance

Lark is poisoned and imprisoned by the king, who seeks to force her into marriage and secure his claim to the throne. Isolated and desperate, she relies on her wits, her allies, and her growing magical abilities to survive. The experience hardens her resolve and deepens her understanding of the true stakes. With the help of friends and the loyalty of the dragons, she escapes her cell and prepares for the final confrontation.

The Dread Returns

Shadow creatures—drachen—emerge from legend to terrorize the kingdom, slaughtering magical beasts and humans alike. Lark's visions and the chronicles confirm the worst: the prophecy is coming true, and only a dragoncaller can stand against the darkness. As panic spreads and the court descends into chaos, Lark must rally her allies and confront the king's ambitions, her own fears, and the ancient evil threatening to devour them all.

Drachen Unleashed

The drachen attack the palace, leaving carnage in their wake. Lark, Sterling, and their allies fight desperately to protect the innocent and hold the line against the encroaching darkness. The dragons return, answering Lark's call, and together they unleash a storm of fire and fury against the shadow creatures. Sacrifices are made, secrets are revealed, and the true cost of the prophecy becomes clear.

Fire and Shadow

In a climactic battle, Lark leads the dragons and her friends against the drachen, wielding her magic and her will to protect those she loves. The king falls, sacrificing himself to save his brother and the realm. Lark's powers reach their zenith as she channels the combined might of dragon and human, breaking the drachen's hold and saving Tirene—at least for now. The prophecy is fulfilled, but at a terrible price.

Sacrifice and Survival

As the fires die and the shadows recede, Lark surveys the cost of victory. The palace is in ruins, the court shattered, and the future uncertain. Sterling grieves his brother, and Lark must come to terms with her role as both savior and weapon. The prophecy's promise of breaking and saving worlds hangs over her, and the threat of the drachen may not be gone for good. But with her allies, her sister, and the dragons at her side, Lark faces the dawn with hard-won hope and the determination to forge a new destiny.

Characters

Lark Axton

Lark is a young woman torn from her sheltered life and thrust into a world of betrayal, prophecy, and power. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she grapples with her identity, her magical abilities, and her place in a deadly game of thrones. Lark's psychological arc is defined by trauma, resilience, and the struggle to trust after repeated betrayals. Her relationships—with her sister, her adoptive mother, and especially Sterling—are fraught with longing, anger, and the need for connection. As the prophesied dragoncaller, she is both a weapon and a savior, forced to choose between her own desires and the fate of kingdoms. Her development is marked by increasing agency, courage, and the willingness to sacrifice for those she loves.

Sterling / Prince Knox

Sterling, also known as Prince Knox of Tirene, is a man of many masks: flight instructor, spy, lover, and royal heir. His initial deception wounds Lark deeply, but his own psychological torment is equally profound—torn between duty, love, and guilt. Sterling's loyalty to his brother and his kingdom is tested by his growing feelings for Lark, leading to a complex dance of passion, regret, and defiance. He is both a source of strength and vulnerability for Lark, and his willingness to defy the king for her sake marks his ultimate transformation from pawn to partner.

King Jasper

Jasper is the king of Tirene, a man hardened by loss and obsessed with power and legacy. His relationship with Lark is a blend of political calculation and personal fascination—he sees her as both a threat and a means to secure his throne. Jasper's willingness to use, imprison, and even sacrifice Lark reveals his moral ambiguity, but his final act of self-sacrifice for his brother hints at a buried humanity. Psychologically, Jasper is driven by fear of losing control and the need to legitimize his rule, making him both a formidable antagonist and a tragic casualty of the prophecy.

Leesa

Leesa is Lark's adoptive sister, whose disappearance and reappearance frame much of Lark's journey. She is resourceful, loyal, and fiercely protective, serving as both confidante and co-conspirator. Leesa's own struggles with identity and belonging mirror Lark's, and their bond is a source of strength in the face of courtly machinations and supernatural threats. Her relationship with Bastian adds a note of hope and normalcy amid the chaos.

Lady Rhiann

Rhiann, cousin to the king and prince, is the Lady of the Bedchamber and a master of palace politics. She becomes a crucial ally to Lark, offering guidance, protection, and a model of strength in a world that preys on the vulnerable. Rhiann's calm authority and hidden depths make her both a mentor and a symbol of the resilience required to survive the court.

Agnar

Agnar is one of Sterling's closest friends and a formidable soldier. Initially wary of Lark, he becomes a loyal ally, providing both muscle and much-needed levity. His journey from skeptic to friend mirrors the broader theme of trust and chosen family, and his presence grounds Lark amid the palace's shifting alliances.

Blair

Blair is another of Sterling's trusted companions, serving as both protector and confidant to Lark. His quiet strength and loyalty help Lark navigate the dangers of court life, and his willingness to risk himself for her safety cements his role as a true friend.

Bastian

Bastian is a skilled scout and Leesa's romantic partner. His courage and curiosity drive much of the investigation into the kingdom's mysteries, and his relationship with Leesa provides a counterpoint to the more fraught romance between Lark and Sterling. Bastian's willingness to believe in the impossible and act on it makes him a key player in the final battle.

Lark's Mother (Lady Lynnea)

Lynnea is a complex figure—both jailer and guardian, whose lies and overprotection shape much of Lark's early trauma. Their relationship is marked by anger, grief, and the slow, painful process of forgiveness. Lynnea's presence in Tirene forces Lark to confront her past and choose her own path forward.

The Dragons (Dame, Chirean, Ryu, etc.)

The dragons are more than magical beasts—they are sentient, emotional, and deeply connected to Lark. They serve as both symbols and agents of power, freedom, and the primal forces at play in the world. Their fear, loyalty, and eventual return are central to the story's climax, and their bond with Lark is both a source of strength and a harbinger of destiny.

Plot Devices

Prophecy and Hidden Heritage

The central plot device is the ancient prophecy that foretells the coming of a dragoncaller who will break and save worlds. This prophecy drives the actions of kings, shapes Lark's sense of self, and provides both motivation and justification for the story's betrayals and sacrifices. The gradual revelation of Lark's true heritage and the meaning of the prophecy is woven through the narrative, using foreshadowing, dreams, and hidden texts to build suspense and deepen the stakes.

Masks, Deception, and Double Lives

Nearly every major character wears a mask—literal or figurative. Sterling's dual identity as Knox/Sterling, the king's shifting personas, and the court's endless games of intrigue create a world where nothing is as it seems. This device heightens tension, complicates relationships, and forces Lark to develop both discernment and resilience.

The Arena and Public Trials

The use of public trials—most notably the dragon arena—serves as both a plot catalyst and a symbol of the court's cruelty. These spectacles force characters to reveal their true natures, test their loyalties, and set the stage for the story's central conflicts.

Magical Empathy and Bonding

Lark's ability to sense and communicate with dragons is both a gift and a curse, providing her with power but also overwhelming her with emotion and responsibility. This device is used to foreshadow danger, reveal hidden truths, and ultimately unite the forces needed to confront the drachen.

The Chronicles and the Drachen

The discovery of The Chronicles of the Mother Wurm and the true nature of the drachen is a classic "hidden knowledge" device. The book-within-a-book structure allows for layered storytelling, blending myth and reality, and provides the crucial information needed to defeat the shadow creatures.

Sacrifice and Redemption

The story's final act hinges on sacrifice—both personal and political. The king's death, the dragons' return, and Lark's willingness to risk everything for her loved ones and her kingdom are all foreshadowed by earlier betrayals and losses. This device brings the narrative full circle, transforming pain into power and setting the stage for a new beginning.

Analysis

Court of Secrets and Flames is a lush, emotionally charged fantasy that explores the intersection of power, identity, and destiny through the lens of a young woman thrust into the heart of political and magical upheaval. At its core, the novel is about the cost of trust and the courage required to claim one's own story in a world determined to use, define, or destroy you. Nina Frost weaves together romance, intrigue, and high-stakes action, using classic fantasy devices—prophecy, hidden heritage, magical bonds—to interrogate the ways in which trauma, love, and sacrifice shape us. The book's modern resonance lies in its depiction of a heroine who refuses to be a pawn, even as she is forced to play the game; in its nuanced portrayal of love as both a source of vulnerability and strength; and in its warning that the greatest threats often come not from without, but from the shadows within our own histories and hearts. Ultimately, the story is a call to embrace both the fire and the secrets within us, forging a new future from the ashes of the past.

Last updated: July 19, 2025