Firebrand

Firebrand by Kristen Britain is a fantasy novel from 2017, the sixth book in the Green Rider series. Plot summary Green Rider Sir Karigan G'ladheon returns from her unexpected trip through time in her traditional disruptive style, materialising above the great banquet hall and crashing through the mid-winter feast. She is confused and disoriented and screams for the man she left behind in the future to be reunited with her. Karigan tries to regain a sense of normality, recover from her injuries and move on from the heartbreak she suffered when Cade Harlow was ripped from her as she crossed over the threshold of time. During her return journey she sustains an injury, where a shard of magic mirror is embedded in her eye that transforms it into a mirror such that anyone who gazes into it glimpses their possible future. Karigan's eye becomes incredibly painful, she keeps it covered with a patch, and its prophetic properties are a closely guarded secret. Throughout the winter Karigan resumes her arms training and the king's elite guard, the Weapons, deem her heroic deeds and combat skills worthy to formalise her status as swordmaster and honorary Weapon, imbuing her with more titles, responsibilities and benefits. Meanwhile, King Zachary of Sacoridia is struggling with his feelings for Karigan, and is becoming increasingly fatigued with his duty as king and as husband to his new wife Queen Estora. After their highly traumatic deathbed wedding, their relationship is strained; however Estora quickly becomes pregnant with twins which does begin to mend the rift. The castle is attacked by an ancient ice elemental, the "Aureas Slee", manipulated by the Second Empire. Slee is wounded and retreats but not before encountering the beautiful expectant Queen. Fortunately, the Queen was protected by Anna the ash girl, who later becomes a green rider. Visiting Eletians inform King Zachary and his Captain, Laren Mapstone, of a prophecy that tells them the time is nigh to find the fourth race in the league that originally joined with Sacoridia, Eletia and Rhovanny to defeat Mornhaven the Black in the long war, and that he must send an emissary forth to meet with the p'ehdrosian race, who have not been seen in over 1,000 years.