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Chapter 29; Blood Of Ciel
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A Cruel Fate Chapter 30; Awakening
ARWYNFire. Loud dragon screeches. More fire. A heart-wrenching cry. Mother falling to the floor, dead. A shadowy figure with curly long hair. I know it’s a woman, but her face is hidden in darkness.My lashes flutter, struggling to stay open. For seconds, I drift in and out of consciousness until I finally see the light blue canopy hanging above, then the bedpost, and the intricate silver swirls on the sheets.I was back in the palace. In my chambers. Sunlight seeped in from the left through the window, warming my skin until it felt like I was back in the Spire, surrounded by fire. Or no—back in the Wreath, with flames growing around us.I struggled to keep my eyes open, sweat rolling down my forehead to soak into the sheets. I moved my left fingers, then my right, before shifting my hand farther away from my body, testing my movement. All of me was intact. The draught was fading from my system, and I could finally breathe properly. I felt alive.Movement to my left caught my attenti
A Cruel Fate Chapter 31; Patrol
ARWYNRoasted meet and baked treats fill my nosestril as I entered the dining hall. The atmosphere buzzed with muted conversations and the clinking of glasses.I slid into my seat beside Kyle, who gave me a nod of acknowledgement.Kyle leaned in slightly, his voice low. "What did Sora want?""Just the usual theatrics," I replied, picking up my goblet of wine. "Nothing I can't handle."Kyle smirked. "Good to know. She's been on edge lately, especially with the King’s recent decisions."My eyes scanned the table. Jagger was engaged in conversation with Ahvi, whose vibrant pink hair and pink dress was a striking contrast to the dark tone of the skin. Daelan, sitting across from me, offered a small, concerned smile, perhaps still thinking about my earlier condition.Thrystan is missing at the head of the table, his seat empty."Welcome, Embers," a voice boomed from the head of the table. All heads turned to the source—King Gaelan himself, standing with a regal presence. His long, dark ha
A Cruel Fate Chapter 32; The Kiss
ARWYNSora's eyes widened in surprise, and I felt Thrystan's gaze on me, boring holes through the side of my face. It was intense, almost palpable.The room fell into a brief, awkward silence, broken only by the soft clinking of cutlery and the distant murmur of servants as well as Jagger stifling a laugh in Sora's direction. Thrystan finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of tension. "Mingling with the people is part of our duty, Sora. We are here to serve, not to isolate ourselves."Sora's face flushed, but she held her ground, her expression a mixture of defiance and embarrassment. "Of course, Thrystan," she replied, her voice tight. "I merely meant that it can be...unpleasant.""Unpleasant or not," Thrystan continued, his eyes never leaving mine, "it is necessary. We cannot turn our backs on our people, especially in times of need."Ahvi, trying to lighten the mood, raised her goblet. "To mingling, then! And to doing our duty with grace and courage." She smiled
A Cruel Fate Chapter 33; Furnace Of Fire
ARWYNAs I made my way down the corridor, I couldn't shake the feeling of Thrystan's gaze lingering on me, even after I'd closed the door behind me. My heart was a tangled mess, caught between the past and the present, between Kale's memory and Thrystan's undeniable presence.Reaching my chambers, I pushed open the door, eager to find solace in the familiar space. But as I stepped inside, the sight that met my eyes stopped me dead in my tracks.A figure stood in the shadows, cloaked in darkness. The glint of a blade caught the flickering candlelight, and my breath hitched as the intruder stepped forward, pressing the cold metal to my throat."Don't move," a voice hissed, low and menacing. My pulse quickened, and I swallowed hard, trying to remain calm despite the sharp edge biting into my skin.He picks up a candle from my dresser, bringing it closer to his face. The flickering light reveals Marlon, one of Pete's goons. I glance around, not spotting his usual companion, Garmond, which
A Cruel Fate Chapter 34; A Lovely Wallflower
ARWYNThe best thing to do was to skip breakfast, knowing it would be just me and Thrystan at the First Ember table since everyone else was at practice.My hands had been clammy all morning, despite the weather cooling off for winter. Occasionally, I found myself glancing over my shoulder, unable to shake the feeling that I was being watched. The anxiety gnawed at me, making it hard to concentrate on anything else.For the next three days, I patrolled the lower grounds of the palace, exploring every corner and room, learning their uses and histories. Breakfast was always skipped, and I had Ingrid gather an array of sweets and pastries to keep me confined to my quarters until dinner. Dinner was safer; the dining hall was full, allowing me to blend into the crowd and avoid any unwanted attention from Thrystan.On the last day before the Sun Festival, I finally stepped out into the warmth of the day. The sunlight felt like a gentle embrace, momentarily easing my worries. I noticed a loos
A Cruel Fate Chapter 35; Wild Creature
ARWYN"You have the privilege of choosing your dress for the ball, my lady," Ingrid announced on the first day of the Sun Festival.Back in Wyrm, the Sun Festival was a vibrant celebration, though its true origins were a mystery to most. Folks gathered in the streets, playing music and displaying an abundance of food. It had anonymously become one of my favorite times of the year. Now, I was to experience it away from Wyrm, within the confines of the palace. The mere mention of a Sun Ball made me dread how dull it might be."I'll have whatever you think is best, Ingrid," I said to the maiden. Her face lit up with a grin from ear to ear."You honor me. But I've been selecting your dresses since you arrived. Now you get to choose for yourself." She knelt before me, measuring the length of my current dress with a tape. "Is there really not a particular style you have in mind?"I folded my arms, thinking. A coy smile slowly spread across my lips. "Actually, I do have something in mind." I
A Cruel Fate Chapter 36; Dragon Riders
ARWYNThe first Embers stood at the grand entrance of the palace. Massive oak doors, intricately carved with scenes of ancient battles and mythical creatures, stood open to welcome the guests. As they stepped inside, they were greeted by a sweeping staircase that led to the upper levels of the castle. The hallways were lined with towering columns, each adorned with gilded vines and blooming with enchanted flowers that glowed softly in the dim light. Rich red silk depicting the kingdom’s color, hung on the walls, and the air was filled with the subtle fragrance of exotic spices and fresh roses.At the top of the staircase, Thrystan stood, embodying the essence of princely grace and nobility. A deep blue velvet doublet, embroidered with silver thread that shimmered in the torchlight, and a cloak of the finest ermine draped elegantly over his shoulders. A circlet of gold, set with a single sapphire, rested on his brow, highlighting his regal bearing. His boots, polished to a mirror-lik
A Cruel Fate Chapter 37; Facade
THRYSTANSora clung to my hand as I escorted the Walburgers to the banquet hall. Sora's wide smile contrasted sharply with the coldness of her touch. I glanced down at her, my unease growing."Can you just, for these three days, be content with me?" she asked, her grip firm as I tried to pull away. Her smile only deepened when she met my eyes."We're not together, Sora," I replied, my voice flat. "There's no reason for us to act like a couple."She sighed, her expression hardening. "My parents don't know that. And would it really be such a terrible thing to spend these few days with me?"Before I could respond, my mother turned back to us, her smile widening at our apparent closeness. "You two don't have to tag along with us old people. I'm sure you have something more fun to do.""I'm here to greet the guests, Mother," I said, keeping my voice steady. She nodded, surprised by my response.Lady Walburger smiled at the Queen. "The prince has grown into such a fine young man, Your Highn
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