War consumes the Hawaiian islands. The great commander, Kamalalawalu of Kauai has decimated islands, leaving none alive who dare oppose him. Now he has turned his sights upon the final two islands. O'ahu and Hawai'i. Luckily for him, his old home on the Big Island is a land divided. 

In the north, the chief of Hilo offers their daughter, Pauahi, to marry Kamalalawalu. They hope that through this arranged marriage, they save themselves from devastation. Be it his army or that of their rival, Kona. But Pauahi's only true allegiance is to her people. Will she become an assassin to smite Kamalalawalu, or his weapon, to destroy his enemy? 

For it is not just Hilo who has an issue with Kona. Their chief once held onto Kamalalawalu. He claims as a slave. Kona's chief calls him a son. Raised alongside him was his 'brother,' Kekoa. Kekoa, though, is a failure to his people. A coward. He can't even slaughter a pig, much less a man, to defend his home. Many call him "mahu". Neither man nor woman. And yet Kekoa and his father stand up against Kamalalawalu.

As fate and armies march, these three are forced to reckon with the realities of war, love, politics, and betrayal in this ancient world -- praying that they and all their hearts hold dear are not consumed by the fires that rage around them in the process.

Romance tags include: HEA, Historical, Ancient, Angst, NA, Open Door (Heat 1-2), m-f romance, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, other man, physical violence, indigenous mc, indigenous faith, betrayal, slavery, political/ court intrigue, survival, vengeance, war, Oceania, Competent heroine, aristo/royal heroine, alpha male hero, sweet/gentle hero, warlord/commander hero, royal hero, dual pov, third person pov. 

First 300 Words

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Chapter 1

Kamalalawalu - Māui

Blood sprayed from the open wound. The last defender of Māui dropped to his knees, grasping at the arrow that had torn through his ribs. He choked as he tugged on it, his mouth moving in some inaudible prayer. 

“Who do you think he’s praying to?” Kamalalawalu asked with a smirk, placing the bow around his bare shoulder. “Kū? Or perhaps Kane?”

“My ali’i, even with your… beliefs, it is unwise to mock Kū. He has blessed you with a great victory today.” The shriveled husk of a religious man quivered. This sleight would need to be rectified.

“So then, Akamu, you do think it was Kū?” Kamalalawalu had already begun making his way down to his rival chief, who sputtered on the ground in pools of filth and gore. 

“It is more likely to be a personal ancestral spirit, my lord.” The priest stated as he followed Kamalalawalu down the hill. 

“Indeed? Maybe he’ll tell us?” he gestured down to the chief, whose eyes and nostrils flared. “So? Which god? Still got some fight in you?” Kamalalawalu bent over so that his shadow enveloped the unspeaking leader. A wordless insult to a once great leader, and a way to steal any mana that remained.

Kamalalawalu’s army encircled him. Thousands of men, covered in filth and wounds from battle. But none dared get close enough that he could feel a splash of mud. Each held their breath, waiting to hear the word from him. 

“Men! You have delivered unto your ali’i a great honor today!” Akamu belted before Kamalalawalu could say a word. “Today, we have destroyed the last of the Māui rebellion!” 

The army cheered as Kamalalawalu began sawing with his sharktooth dagger - the great leiomano that held mana from Kamalalawalu’s father and ancestors long since passed.