ChantreaLore

"Should you, as the healer, not take a very close look?" he asked. "Isn't that why you are here? To scrutinize every part of me, including my ability to produce an heir." Freya's face flushed deeper. She had braced herself for hostility or skepticism from the ascendants, but this overt testing of boundaries was unexpected. "I am certain that scrutinizing you...naked, won't reveal much about your ability to produce an heir," she retorted quickly. He smirked, stepping closer. Freya resisted the urge to retreat; his proximity overwhelming, his large frame practically eclipsing her view of the room. She forced herself to meet his gaze, determined not to let her eyes wander to his bare chest. He towered over her, his presence domineering. Droplets from his damp hair occasionally fell onto her face. She blinked, surprised by the sudden coolness on her skin. Roarke lifted a large hand, gently wiping away a droplet of water from her cheek with a touch that was unexpectedly gentle. "Then...do you want to test my ability in a different way?" he asked, his tone suggestive. ***** Freya Lorne, a gifted healer, finds herself swept into the heart of a conflict when she is summoned to the distant and divided realm of Eldranor. In this land, the throne lies empty, and the crown's claimants—creatures of myth and legend—prepare for a ceremonial duel known as the Ascendance Rite to determine the next ruler. Freya's healing powers are integral to the Ascendance Rite. Each claimant wants her unique skills to stand a chance at claiming the throne. However, amidst this dangerous game, romantic adventures blossom, and Freya is torn between her role in the Ascendance Rite and her personal entanglement with the claimants. With each encounter, she must navigate the treacherous waters of courtly romance and deceit, discerning who truly values her as a person and who regards her merely as a pawn in their quest for power. As the final battle for the throne draws near, Freya must decide where her loyalty lies—not only to which leader she will support but also to what kind of kingdom she wants to help build.