The Phoenix Rising Trilogy by Erica Verrillo

Elissa is an orphan living in a quiet village, one who can talk to animals but has been told to keep it a secret. When a royal stranger comes to the village, claiming to be Elissa's father coming to take her home, Elissa, though suspicious, must go with him.

When Elissa becomes separated from her father and his men in a kidnapping attempt, it becomes clear to both of them that there is more going on than meets the eye. Elissa realizes that she is to be a bartering tool between kings.

Soon she decides that if it's the right thing to do, she will go along with the plan for her to become a pawn, but she will do so on her own terms. But the adventures that await her are ones that not even her political-minded father could have predicted.

The prophecy continues as Elissa seeks to be reunited with her father. When the course of her journey changes, Elissa begins to discover that her powers are more than she thought, and she meets new people who are part of the growth that will lead her to her destiny.

Just as she's realizing the strong efforts she'll have to make to control her own magic, a new weapon appears that could destroy the world she loves.