The Land of Flames and Other Stories. The Kingdoms Set Ablaze, #2

Book two in The Kingdoms Set Ablaze contains nine short stories following the characters of Into the Fiery Woods and a prequel to book three, set in the neighbouring kingdom of Ithesha. Two years after saving Ailon, Gwen and Stark are forced to return to the legendary Land of Flames to discover why the fire is spreading and stop it. But when Gwen's magic is blocked, and they find more than ancient ruins in the castle of Zivisea, their mission grows much harder.
If they can't stop it, the flames will never stop. Sakda of the West was an elusive soldier travelling the kingdom to protect those in need. Kaew Chayanan was a lonely woman who wanted nothing more than to return home to her love, but had been gone so long, she worried she'd no longer be welcome. While Kaew is busy as one of the king's most trusted knights, Eliza grows closer to Queen Guinevere. When the day finally comes to bring their child into the world, the midwife is nowhere to be found.
Prince Erebus never thought he could love a boy and everything turn out okay. And though he was wrong about that, he's not sure everyone will appreciate his new sense of fashion. Lucien was once willing to give up everything for their love to bloom, and now has a very important question to ask. Lady Sonya Blackwater knew becoming Queen of Ailon would take away many freedoms she enjoyed, such as swordfighting, but she never expected to both love and hate her husband.
Solace came with her children, her two dear sons and the sweet princess who lost everything when Beihaal fell. Though Adrastos' father was cruel and strict, that didn't stop him from sneaking into closets with a pretty serving boy. Sent in disgrace to the castle, he meets the most beautiful girl to have ever existed, so beautiful she could be a goddess; he'll do anything to protect her. Thomas cannot wait for Adrastos, finally his husband, to meet his parents, but, when they get there, their smiles are strained and the town is quiet, hardly the place he remembered from his childhood.
Lady Divya won't take Lord Donovan's cruelty any longer, so she escapes to the castle with shocking news for her stepson. Once upon a time, Lilith loved a boy. Finn, the baker's son, was as sweet as the pastries he snuck to her when they met in the woods. But one day, her father caught them and sent her off to wed a miserable Baron to preserve the family's honour. When she finally escapes, innocent child in tow, she meets Sylvan.
A mysterious man with dubious ideas, but working with him might just give her the power she craves. As a child, all Abhora wanted was to make their mother proud. Make her love them. As a young adult, ward to Queen Guinevere, they do their best to make her proud, wondering why the advances of the pretty new stable girl, Heloise, don't interest them in the slightest. that is until their close friend Isaac sends their head spinning with a kiss, and they consider the pros and cons of holding lovers while they distract Abhora from their training.
For four years now, Queen Guinevere and King Stark have been running the kingdom smoothly. While Stark deals with issues in a nearby kingdom as he runs the army, Gwen ensures all is well within the castle walls. They're as madly in love as ever, and, come night, just as they did as children, they often escape to the gardens to forget about their troubles. But one day, some of the prisoners in the dungeons escape.
And, a prequel short story to the upcoming sapphic book set in Ailon's neighbouring kingdom of Ithesha, Burn the Forest of Lies:Princess Meredith is due to choose which of her suitors she will wed, but she cannot stop staring at the beautiful young woman working hard to become the kingdom's first lady knight. All Lady Eb cares about is proving herself worthy, but she cannot keep herself away from the fair fiery princess.
Even when it hurts.