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Chapter 51; High-end criminal
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A Cruel Fate Chapter 52; Her Soldier
THRYSTAN POVRaith’s name hung in the air, as insignificant as it seemed, but my mind raced with darker thoughts. He could be the key to everything—perhaps even Arwyn’s involvement in the attack tonight. I had to know if he was aware of her role, if any. If he did know, I’d have to silence him, one way or another. I twirled the glowing steel rod between my fingers, watching as the heat rippled through the air. “Raith,” I repeated slowly, letting the name settle between us. “You were with Pete tonight. You'reone of his men. What were you doing here? What was the reason for the attack?”He glared at me again, but this time there was less venom, more hesitation. “You’re wasting your time. Pete doesn’t care about me. Neither should you.”“I disagree,” I said, stepping closer, the heat from the steel grazing his skin. “You’re part of something larger, Raith. Pete sent you into the palace for a reason. What was that reason?”His lips tightened. Silence.I tightened my grip on the glowing s
A Cruel Fate Chapter 53; Guilt in his eyes
ARWYN POVThe ladies of the Ember sat for a late dinner that night, their chatter subdued after the chaos at the Sun Ball. The men were busy patrolling the castle grounds, the woods, and the roads leading to Wyrm, ensuring Pete's men were nowhere near. His attack had caused quite a stir—more than I had planned for. I had wanted a distraction, but I never expected Pete would aim for the Ember itself. His ambitions were more dangerous than I had anticipated."Arwyn helped to save the evening," I heard Ahvi say, pulling me from my thoughts. "I heard from Kyle that she predicted the leader of the rebel would be heading for the Ember's nest."Whispers of surprise and admiration spread around the table. I remained quiet, feeling their gazes on me like a weight."How could she possibly know that?" Sora’s voice cut through the praise, her fingers delicately twisting the stem of her goblet. The smug smile on her face was unmistakable.There she was—always finding a way to turn admiration into
A Cruel Fate Chapter 54; Plague from Ketel
ARWYN POVHis gaze was steady, unwavering, and far too perceptive for my liking. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my expression neutral as I tugged the hood back slightly, revealing my face.“Thrystan,” I murmured, hoping my voice didn’t betray the panic rising inside me. “What are you doing here?”He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he took a step forward, closing the space between us. His presence was magnetic, as it always had been, but tonight, there was something different—something more dangerous lurking in the depths of his eyes.“The better question,” he said slowly, “is what you’re doing down here, Arwyn. In the dungeons. In the middle of the night.”I forced myself to meet his gaze, fighting the urge to look away. I had expected his suspicion, even his mistrust, but the intensity of his scrutiny was unsettling. I had to think fast.“I heard one of the rebels had been captured,” I said, keeping my voice as steady as I could. “I wanted to see him for myself.”His eyes narro
A Cruel Fate Chapter 55; Ember light the way
* chapter glossary * + Aetherium— hospital or clinic + Teldrin — DoctorARWYN'S POVChaos reigned in the Aetherium. Servants rushed up and down, the slap of their footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls as they carried buckets of water. The healers moved frantically, doing all they could to revive the stricken. The once quiet halls of the palace now felt like a battlefield against an unseen enemy.The Plague had swept through the palace like a thief in the night, its reach swift and merciless. Guards, servants—no one was safe. Already, some had fallen to its grasp, and the rest waited in fear, their faces pale with the certainty that death lingered nearby.I tied a strip of cloth around my nose and mouth before stepping into the Aetherium, clutching a bucket of water. The air was heavy with the acrid stench of vomit and decay, thick enough to cling to the skin. The torches, dimly flickering against the walls, cast long shadows across the stone floor, making the scene even m
A Cruel Fate Chapter 56; A Shard of the Ember
chapter glossary* + Sun Dance — Year/ yearly/ every yearARWYN POVI never imagined I’d find myself in the palace temple, yet here I was, seated across from a mage who studied me with the intensity of a predator. His pale blue eyes pierced through the dim light like an owl’s, unsettling me more than the heavy, red cloak draped over his thin frame. The very sight of him edged at my senses, making the air feel thick and suffocating."What did you say troubles you again, Blessed One?" His voice was calm, but there was a strange edge beneath it, as though he was growing weary of my hesitation.I could never quite understand the purpose of the Mages. They presided over coronations, anointed royals with their solemn rites, but beyond that, their roles seemed vague. Why did the realm even need their crimson-clad presence?"Dreams. Visions," I muttered, unsure of how to put the chaotic images that plagued my mind into words. His expression remained stoic, his pale eyes unblinking as they fi
A Cruel Fate Chapter 1; The Tailoress
ORDER OF THE BLESSED AS GIFTED BY THE HEAVENSEtheralScorchers; Blaze BringersSiroccians; Air weaversTerramancer; Earth Healers; Water manipulatorAnatomDiremages; control the heartbeats and the bloodVeilwalkers; clone people bodies and powersHealers; heal the bodyElementalCinders; they fix things*************-***************ARWYNWyrm Town...Beneath my nails, traces of dirt linger from my daring descent down the chimney of the brick-layered fabric store two nights ago. The worth of that venture now weighs on me as I sit in the dimly lit room of the same establishment, anticipation thick in the air.Gloves hastily conceal my hands, shielding them from the prying glances of the passing servant, evidence of undeniable dirt underneath. Leigh's disapproval echoes in my mind, her scolding for tarnishing the hands she meticulously softened with rose water and lavender. Yet, this sacrifice is a necessity.Having confirmed the lady of the fabric store's shady dealings, I silently v
A Cruel Fate Chapter 2; Little Lamb
ARWYNI release the powder puff, filling the room with pink smoke. I scoff at the color, wishing Raith— Pete's Artificer— had chosen something darker.A smirk plays on my lips as the men cough and collapse, grasping their stomachs. The puff was laced with wildbane, a substance that weakens soldiers by slowing their heartbeats dangerously.I hold my breath and lunge for the window, but it won't budge.Cursing, I attack the window again, but it won't open. Frustrated, I give up and run for the smaller door.Why won't this window open? There's no latch. In the smoke, I can't see the Tailoress or her men, but I hear them groaning in pain. Reaching the door, I slam my body against it, and it breaks open, hinges snapping as I fall to the floor. My arm throbs, but I get up and dash down the hallway."Stop her!" I hear the Tailoress scream, but how did she avoid the puff's effects? The men recover, snarling, ready to hunt me down.I leap through an open window at the end of the hallway, grinni
A Cruel Fate Chapter 3; The Glory Rivet
ARWYN"Arwyn, what were you thinking?" Leigh asked, her voice reaching me in the kitchen.I stumbled home, exhausted and bruised, and Leigh immediately started questioning me. I was tired of hearing her lectures about dealing with Pete. All I wanted was to rest and tend to my cuts.She came over with water and a rag, dragging a chair to sit with purpose. Her golden hair was tied back with one of her simple bands, framing her face. Leigh didn't have many accessories, but she didn't need them to look beautiful.In the cozy corner, Lilith played with dolls Leigh had made from our old clothes.Leigh muttered, "Stay away from Pete, but you never listen." It was sweet how much she cared, and I couldn't help but smile."I'm fine," I reassured her, taking the bowl and dipping my hand in, waiting for my power to surface. "Lilith, close the window!" Leigh commanded her sister, who mirrored her in every aspect—golden hair and blue eyes. Over the years, these sisters had become my everything. Lei
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