Shadow Sword Series by S.J. Hartland

His duty is to die young, but fate has something far more lethal in mindIf Kaell breaks, the kingdom breaks with him. And prophecy says the 19th Bladesman will break ...The Bonded Warrior ...Kill. Die young. That's what a swordsman bonded to the ancient gods does. Without expecting praise from the man who trained him to survive this centuries-old, malignant war against the inhuman followers of an invincible lord. But Kaell wants more. More of Val Arques' attention, his approval. Just more... moreHis duty is to die young, but fate has something far more lethal in mindIf Kaell breaks, the kingdom breaks with him. And prophecy says the 19th Bladesman will break ...The Bonded Warrior ...Kill. Die young. That's what a swordsman bonded to the ancient gods does. Without expecting praise from the man who trained him to survive this centuries-old, malignant war against the inhuman followers of an invincible lord. But Kaell wants more. More of Val Arques' attention, his approval. Just more.The fire dancer ...Ice lord, spy, Heath never loses a fire dance. Yet he longs to know that thrill of danger down his spine as he kills for his god, to fight a warrior who might, just might be better than him.The broken ...Val Arques is a bladesman of formidable power entrusted not only with Kaell's life but with the truth that will destroy him. Banished to a grim outpost of this doomed kingdom of sorcery, poetry and treachery, he cannot afford to care about the young warrior. For love means loss. And Val Arques has a shameful secret ...A kingdom on the edge of chaos ...As a vengeful god escapes his ancient prison and Kaell is drawn into his web of deception, even Val Arques can't protect him from the dark prophecy awaiting him. Because you can't flee fate unless you're willing to do the unthinkable.Duty and love collide in this powerful epic fantasy about shattering loss, betrayal and the price of power.2019 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards gold medal winner for epic fantasy.Winner of the 2019 CIPA EVVY award, fairytale/folklore/mythologyNational Indie Excellence Awards finalist2018 Foreward Indies finalist for fantasy less

IT’S THE SECRETS WE HIDE FROM OURSELVES THAT GIVE OTHERS POWER...A rich tapestry of dark magic, obsession, dangerous prophecy, and the forgiveness found through friendship.AN ANCIENT KING RETURNS...For centuries, Roaran sought redemption. Now he can vanquish a tyrant and save a realm in chaos. But only if he cuts his last ties to humanity. Only if he returns to the one place that he swore he’d never dare go again…A LEADER ARISES.. moreIT’S THE SECRETS WE HIDE FROM OURSELVES THAT GIVE OTHERS POWER...A rich tapestry of dark magic, obsession, dangerous prophecy, and the forgiveness found through friendship.AN ANCIENT KING RETURNS...For centuries, Roaran sought redemption. Now he can vanquish a tyrant and save a realm in chaos. But only if he cuts his last ties to humanity. Only if he returns to the one place that he swore he’d never dare go again…A LEADER ARISES...Slaver, raider, and warlord, Dannon wants to believe in something beyond killing. His yearning will take him on a deadly path to his destiny… that he’s fated to put aside all he believes in and fight a war he can’t win. A WARRIOR IN CHAINS...A prisoner in the Icelands, about to be auctioned to the highest bidder, Val Arques has just one chance to escape and find Kaell before it’s too late—win at his captor’s dangerous psychological and sexual game or reveal the secret that will destroy him. A PROPHECY UNFOLDS...As for Kaell… fate isn’t quite done with him yet. For the darkness taking over the kingdom can’t be defeated by the sword, only with the heart.In a world of poetry and song, but also treachery, betrayal, and bloodshed, the second volume in the raw and breathtaking Shadow Sword series will enthrall fans of Game of Thrones and Prince of Thorns less