Son of Fire, Queen of Night (The War of Six Crowns, #3)

Becoming the one everyone needs
James Braden traded himself to rescue Callan. She's safe, and now he needs to go through training to become the Son of Fire, the one mage who stands a chance at calling Aurek of Icaimerith to heel. James needs to subject himself to infuriating training sessions featuring Conroy Phipps to do it.
At least he's not alone. He has his best friend along for the journey. Except their adventures in Tardith has changed Ward, and he's keeping secrets.
Oh and then there's the tiny problem of James's magic refusing to work the way it should.
Nordaine Saomir Lith–Nordaine Comes First
In the aftermath of rescuing Nordaine's crown prince from Aurek of Icaimerith, Darrion dir Murion is promoted to become the Black Knight of Sylmion, heir to the Nordian throne. The appointment is in name only.
His main duty is to train Callan to take over the role as quickly as possible and, with the help of his best friend Gawain, to protect her and her interests in putting their country first. Thanks to a decision made by the Nordian Council, they need to do this without telling her that she is born to become their future Queen.
The decision made sense in theory. She needs time to recover from being used as a pawn in a larger political game, and maintaining the secret keeps the Nordian nobles at bay...for now. It does not, however, keep Gawain from working his way deeper into her affections, even when that risks angering four of Nordaine's five noble houses.
Somehow, that ends up being the least of their concern. Callan's arrival in Tardith has unleashed ripples across the entire continent, and factions everywhere are moving to make the most of the opportunity she provides. Everyone seems to want Callan for their own uses–even to unravel the very foundations on which Nordaine is built, and the number of people Darrion and Gawain can trust is dwindling.
Now, the problem isn't only about how to keep Callan's birth a secret. It's about who to protect her from, and how.
And soon, it will require them to question what putting Nordaine first even means.
Freedom, but at what cost?
After escaping from Aurek of Icaimerith, Callan Blair is ready to settle into her new life as a Nordian Saint. Unfortunately, that means training with Darrion dir Murion, who is seemingly determined to be a pain in her ass.
Training with Darrion is brutal, especially when Aurek continues to stalk her in her nightmares–a constant reminder that her freedom comes at a cost that still needs to fall due. She continues with training, even when the tension between her and Darrion, and Darrion and Gawain, grows to a breaking point.
No matter what, she needs to be ready for the day Aurek follows through on his threats.
But when Aurek retaliates, she is left with a terrible realization.
Nothing could prepare any of them for what he is capable of.