Devices of War Series by S.M. Blooding

In a world governed by the opposing forces of the mystical House of Tarot and the tribal Great Families, Synn is caught in the crossfire. He witnesses the slaughter of innocent people, and the devastating murder of his father. This act awakens his Mark of power, a Mark greater than any the world has seen in a very long time. Queen Nix thought she won a great prize when she destroyed Synn's father, the leader of the strongest Great Families... moreIn a world governed by the opposing forces of the mystical House of Tarot and the tribal Great Families, Synn is caught in the crossfire. He witnesses the slaughter of innocent people, and the devastating murder of his father. This act awakens his Mark of power, a Mark greater than any the world has seen in a very long time. Queen Nix thought she won a great prize when she destroyed Synn's father, the leader of the strongest Great Families. She had no idea she'd be doubly blessed by capturing his son. However, before Synn can become her treasured weapon, before she can use him to bring the rest of the world to its knees, she must break him and bind his soul to hers. She does her job with brutal brilliance. Synn's mind is broken and his soul is seared to hers in an unbreakable bond. That doesn't stop him from wanting to be free. She may have broken his mind and claimed his soul, but he will find a way to destroy her. Experience a world of ships that sail the clouds and cites buried beneath the ocean, and survive the fiery battle brought forth by those who control the forces of nature! less

When Synn finds himself behind enemy lines and a captive of the Hands of Tarot yet again, Queen Nix discovers he's not the boy she'd tortured before. He's now a man, one who will not be controlled as easily. She will do anything to claim him, even if that means letting him go, and giving him the one thing he desires most. Peace. Armed with a treaty bearing Nix's seal, Synn sets off to bridge the gap between the world's two reigning tyrants, the Hands of Tarot and the ruling Great Families... moreWhen Synn finds himself behind enemy lines and a captive of the Hands of Tarot yet again, Queen Nix discovers he's not the boy she'd tortured before. He's now a man, one who will not be controlled as easily. She will do anything to claim him, even if that means letting him go, and giving him the one thing he desires most. Peace. Armed with a treaty bearing Nix's seal, Synn sets off to bridge the gap between the world's two reigning tyrants, the Hands of Tarot and the ruling Great Families. Nix insists she will only honor the treaty if he agrees to be her sworn knight. The Great Families refuse to sign it if he abandons them for her. Juggling an overwhelmingly large Family himself and Nix and his mother, leader of the Great Families, he decides to do something neither side could have foreseen. He invites all the tribes to council, allowing each of them a voice and the power to choose their own fate. The only thing they must do in order to gain a seat is to prove their worth in the Peace Games. As a power far greater than either the Hands or the Families ever had continues to grow, a new fight begins. Who will control Synn's League of Cities? Will Synn be able to save more lives as the Knight of Wands? Or as leader of the El'Asim? less