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Chapter 20; I Will Unravel You
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A Cruel Fate Chapter 21; You Want Something
ARWYNBlend in. The plan is to blend in until the opportunity to leave this place presents itself at the Sun Ball. The palace will be crowded with royal guests, the festivals will capture everyone’s attention, and no one will notice one tiny Ember missing.My eyes stray to Thrystan, who fixes a steely gaze on me. He might be the only problem, always so interested in my affairs. But hopefully, everyone will be relieved with me gone, especially Sora.I could sneak a horse from the stables, arrange everything beforehand, and then ride out of the palace, back to Wyrm, and then to Ketel to meet Kale before anyone realizes I'm gone. They won’t be able to trace me again.The Sun Ball will be a swirl of opulence and distraction—glittering gowns, flowing wine, and conversations laced with intrigue. The perfect cover. I imagine the courtyard teeming with laughter and music, the air thick with the scent of exotic flowers and spices. Amidst the chaos, I'll slip away unnoticed.In the stables, I c
A Cruel Fate Chapter 22; Den Of Wolves
ELARIA Father and Uncle conversed in monotone as I entered the dining room for lunch. Mother sat poised at Father's side, her hands delicately cradling her fork and knife as she picked at her roasted meat.Thrystan was absent from the table, off to the Dragon Spire with the other chosen Embers under Brax's supervision. I remembered how I had asked him to include Arwyn’s name on that list; if she was there, Thrystan would likely want to be present and attentive as well.I didn’t know who this girl was or why Thrystan was so captivated by her. I had never seen him this dedicated to pursuing something—or someone—not even with Sora. He could have anyone else, yet this felt like more than just a game to satisfy his desires.The sound of my chair scraping against the floor drew the men's attention."Father," I greeted softly with a bow. "Uncle," I added, turning to the spiked grey-haired man, who nodded at me sternly.I always admired how, despite being a man with legitimate claims, my uncl
A Cruel Fate Chapter 23; Twist Of Fate
THRYSTAN It was as if the Ember herself had granted me this moment as an act of providence. A divine twist of fate, giving me the sheer will to ask whatever I want from the very woman who had haunted my thoughts relentlessly, day and night. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner—Arwyn was always there, a constant presence in my mind.Her face looked as though she had just struck a deal with the devil, a detail that inexplicably brought a gleeful smile to my face. If you had told me an hour ago that I’d have this opportunity, my mind would have raced through a thousand things I wanted from her. But now, standing here and staring into those ocean-blue eyes, I was rendered speechless, my smile fading.“Well,” she said, wrinkling her nose, “what do you want?”I blinked rapidly, my hands slipping from her waist as she pulled away almost instantly, as if I were a vermin. Maybe I was.“Allow me a minute to savor this moment, would you?” I covered up my speechlessness with a wry smile. Pushing away fro
A Cruel Fate Chapter 24; Hunch
THRYSTANWe reached Wyrm after several exhilarating minutes of racing through the worn-out tracks left by countless travelers. The small town unfolded before us, its rustic charm evident in the cobblestone streets and weathered buildings. Market stalls lined the main square, vibrant with the colors of fresh produce, handmade crafts, and the lively chatter of townsfolk.Arwyn slowed her horse to a trot as we entered the town, her laughter still echoing in my ears. I matched her pace, taking in the bustling scene around us. The scent of freshly baked bread and roasting meats filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the surrounding countryside."We made it," Arwyn declared, her eyes sparkling with triumph and a hint of mischief. "Looks like I beat you, Prince."I chuckled, shaking my head in mock defeat. "I let you win," I teased, though the truth was, I enjoyed every moment of watching her unbridled joy.As we dismounted and tied our horses to a nearby post, an elderly fruit ve
A Cruel Fate Chapter 25; An Outlaw
THRYSTAN We pull our horses to a stop in front of the Wreath, a modest tavern with weathered wooden walls and a sign creaking in the wind. The stable boy, a scrawny lad with dirty blonde hair, scurries over to collect them. Arwyn grips his shoulder, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Up to no good, are you, Willy?"The boy giggles and squirms under her arm until he finally breaks free, or she lets him go. With a mischievous grin, he hands her a small brown pouch, which she quickly slips behind her back, tucking it into her belt. As she adjusts her cloak, I catch sight of my dagger tucked there as well.She's been carrying it around this whole time?"Haven't seen you in days," Willy says, his eyes twinkling. "Thought the goons got you, but you look well." His gaze shifts to me, and he gasps, eyes wide with excitement. "And you came here with Death-roll! Are you two friends?" He bounces on his toes, as if he's just uncovered a grand revelation."What?" Arwyn asked, her eyes narrowing i
A Cruel Fate Chapter 26; Little Runaway
ARWYNThe princess hates me. I've known it since our first conversation in the palace hallways, where her eyes bore into me with a mix of disdain and suspicion. Every time I speak with her brother, her gaze sharpens, as if she fears I'll snatch him away from her. She's fiercely protective of him, and if I didn't know any better, I'd think they were in love. To her, I'm nothing but an inconvenience.Clover steps closer, his smile too familiar. "Arwyn, is it? How do you do?"I glare at him, my eyes cold. "Stay away from me." My lips tremble as I glance behind him, where two of Pete's men loiter, their eyes fixed on me. No doubt they've informed Pete of my arrival. I'll be damned if they witnessed the drama that just unfolded."So feisty," Clover chuckles, turning his attention back to the arena. "You both came to enjoy the show? You know the best fights are in the evenings. That's when I fight," he adds, grinning proudly. It's clear why he and Thrystan are friends—both ballsy and full o
A Cruel Fate Chapter 27; Volatile Mix
ARWYN"I hate to cut you two lovebirds off from your chattering," Pete growled, rising to his feet. He brushed off his hairy coat, his eyes narrowing dangerously as they locked onto me."You really want to prove yourself worthy?" he asked, his voice low and menacing. My heart pounded violently in my chest. I knew what he was going to say, and I knew I couldn't do it. Killing Thrystan was out of the question. He was the prince, and the King would come after me—not just me, but everyone I held dear. Leigh and Lilith would be in danger too. I shook my head, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on me. Pete's eyes hardened, his lips curling into a sneer."Little Lamb," he taunted, stepping closer."Just let him go, please. We don't want any trouble," I begged, my voice strained as I backed away from Thrystan. I turned to face him, and the confusion in his haunting golden eyes was almost too much to bear. So many questions swirled there, unspoken but clear."You need to trust me an
A Cruel Fate Chapter 28; Royal Mess-Up
THRYSTANArwyn lay limp in my arms, her breathing slow, her eyes tightly shut. I knew she wasn't dead; those bastards had only put a sedative on her to keep her asleep for hours. But I couldn't help but worry if she was truly alright. What if the cloth was laced with something more sinister? They had intended to take her far away. But where, and why?Arwyn’s conversation with Pete was something I fully intended to question her about when she woke.Elaria had already knocked out Pete’s goons, leaving the brigand himself to grunt and struggle against her powers. I'd never seen such fierceness in her eyes before. It was raw, defensive, and angry. Her fingers moved with a precise grace as she manipulated every muscle in his body, bending him to her will."Who are you, girl?" Pete grunted, his voice gravelly and strained."The daughter of your sworn enemy," Elaria sneered, her eyes narrowing. "Gaelan Thorian."Pete's eyes widened, the name striking him like a physical blow. Recognition spr
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