Flamechild (Children of the Vortex, #1‪)‬

Too many partners complicate an arranged marriage. Murder preempts peace negotiations. A stable boy discovers a long lost evil. A duel of honor descends into the absurd. And war looms on the horizon. Flamechild offers four stories introducing the world of Children of the Vortex where lace drips freely over rapier hilts, intrigue hides behind impeccable manners, and magic is feared.