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Chapter Fourteen
Last Updated:
2025-03-15 04:34:25
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Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Fifteen
—DAWNSPIRE CASTLE, SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA—Madeleine had wandered the stone hallways of Dawnspire Castle for the past week, largely invisible to its other inhabitants. The dragons moved through their daily routines with pinpoint efficiency, barely acknowledging her presence beyond the occasional curious glance.She hadn't managed to catch a glimpse of any of the dragons in their natural form, so she spent most of her time just observing them from shadowed archways and corridors, watching their interactions with one another and their training sessions with growing fascination.The central courtyard had become her favorite place. There, the dragons sparred with weapons that glinted dangerously in the sunlight, their swords clashing against shields, daggers flipping through nimble fingers, and bodies moving with fluid grace. She'd watched them all, but her eyes continually returned to one particular fighter.Dante.He moved with a different kind of grace, his movements somehow both flu
Last Updated : 2025-03-22Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Sixteen
—DAWNSPIRE CASTLE, SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA— Madeleine woke up the next day, still churning with frustration from her encounter with Dante. She dressed quickly, pulling on a pair of worn leather boots and a simple tunic she'd borrowed from the castle's stores. "Eight days," she muttered to her reflection in the small mirror hanging on the stone wall. "Eight days and I'm still no closer to finding my place here." She ran a hand through her tangled hair, wincing as her fingers caught in the knots. For a moment, she allowed herself to remember Dante's expression when she'd confronted him; that brief flash of something behind his eyes before the walls had come up again. Something that had made her breath catch in her throat despite her anger. She shook her head sharply. "Focus, Madeleine," she chided herself. "You're here to learn, not to moon over some arrogant phoenix." ****** The training arena was already bustling despite the early hour. The clash of steel against steel echoed
Last Updated : 2025-03-22Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Seventeen
—SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA— The forest path was well-worn but narrow, winding between ancient trees whose branches formed a dense canopy overhead. Shafts of sunlight pierced through gaps in the leaves, creating spotted patterns on the forest floor. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the sweet scent of pine and wildflowers. Dante moved with purpose, his pace brisk, and Madeleine had to push herself to keep up while remaining undetected. The underbrush provided enough cover, allowing her to duck behind trees whenever he paused or seemed about to turn. "This is ridiculous," she thought to herself as she crouched behind a particularly large tree trunk. "I should just confront him directly." But something held her back; a mixture of curiosity and an odd reluctance to face him again so soon. The memory of their last encounter was still raw, his words cutting deeper than she cared to admit. After nearly twenty minutes of this silent pursuit, they reached a small clearing. Madeleine cro
Last Updated : 2025-03-24Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter One
—MOONSHADOW PACK TERRITORY, AETHERIA—A flutter of nervous excitement danced in Madeleine Blackwood’s stomach. Today was the day. Her mating ceremony. A day she’d dreamt of since she was a little girl when she attended mating ceremonies and witnessed the love between mates and the affection between them.She’d spent the morning flitting around her room, not being able to stay still. She had done her hair countless times because she kept running her fingers through it and biting her nails in anticipation. She carefully arranged the small collection of wildflowers she’d gathered that morning. She had always found them to be calming, and the action reminded her of her childhood with her mother. She wanted everything to be perfect. More than anything, she wanted to make her father proud.Alpha Titus Blackwood, a man of strength and unwavering resolve, had always held high expectations for his daughter.Madeleine, despite the gnawing insecurity that sometimes whispered she wasn't enough a
Last Updated : 2025-02-19Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Two
—MOONSHADOW PACK TERRITORY, AETHERIA—The words hung in the air, sharp and cold, like shards of ice piercing Madeleine’s heart. Her smile faltered, then crumbled completely. She looked at Philip, her eyes wide with disbelief.“Philip, what… what are you saying?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.A ripple of murmurs went through the crowd. Werewolves shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting between Madeleine and Philip.Philip released her hand, his touch now feeling like a burn. He looked at her, and Madeleine saw something in his eyes that she’d never seen before. It wasn’t love. It wasn’t even indifference. It was… revulsion.“Did you actually believe this ceremony was for you?” he asked, his voice laced with cruelty. He let out a harsh, humourless laugh. “Did you honestly think I would ever choose you?”Madeleine’s breath hitched. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision. She couldn’t understand. All the assurances, the whispered words of affections, the promises of
Last Updated : 2025-02-19Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Three
—MOONSHADOW PACK TERRITORY— Madeleine woke to an empty tent. The sound coming from outside the tent told her that the wedding feast was ongoing. She stood up groggily and walked towards the tent flap drawing it back to look outside. She saw Rebecca and Philip illuminated but the bonfire as they cuddled next to each other. She felt a wave of nausea and hate at the sight and dropped the tent flap. Madeleine looked around the tent and saw a knife on a desk. She was going to leave, no matter what. She picked up the knife and walked towards the back of the tent and tore through it. She climbed out of it and headed off into the woods. She knew what would happen if she stayed. She'd be forced to spend the rest of her life witnessing what she lost because of what she was. Or rather because of what she wasn't. It wasn't her fault that she was different. She didn't know why she could not shift. If she could change it, she would. But it seems she was brought into the world for the sole
Last Updated : 2025-02-19Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Four
—FORESTS OUTSIDE LUNARIA, AETHERIA—Dante looked from the wolves approaching to the woman next to him and watched as her face went pale. “Friends of yours?”“Nope. Absolutely not,” she said, her voice shaking. “Can we leave now? Please?”Dante felt the waves of emotions coming off her; fear, sadness, anger, hate, hurt. These people, whoever they were, seemed to be the reason she was here. “Okay.” Dante raised his hand, gathering energy, and transported them to the opposite side of the forest. “They won't be able to find you now,” he said, as he walked towards her and touched her forehead.“Uh, what are you doing?” She asked warily. “And where the hell are we?”“To answer both your questions, I'm locking your scent so you can't be tracked and we're far away from the people chasing you,” Dante replied before walking away from her towards the griffin.“You're one powerful fae or mage, aren't you?”Dante looked at her with repulsion etched into his features. “I am neither.”“Okay, then.
Last Updated : 2025-02-20Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Five
—FORESTS OUTSIDE LUNARIA, AETHERIA—Dante woke up, his ears twitching picking up the sound of light whimpering, crying and moaning. He looked across at Madeleine realising the sounds were coming from her and he wondered what had happened to her that made her dreams haunted.He considered blocking her dreams so she could sleep peacefully but as he made a move to approach her, Madeleine woke up with a start, pain etched across her features.As Madeleine sat up and pulled her knees to her chest, shaking from the force of her nightmares, Dante's eyes narrowed with concern. He could sense the depth of her distress, and he didn't understand why but his instincts urged him to comfort her.What the hell had he gotten himself into? He barely knew her. He definitely didn't care about her but every fibre of his being screamed against the pain she was silently enduring.Madeleine's eyes were closed, and her face was scrunched up in a mixture of pain and fear. Her breathing was ragged, and her bod
Last Updated : 2025-02-21
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Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Seventeen
—SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA— The forest path was well-worn but narrow, winding between ancient trees whose branches formed a dense canopy overhead. Shafts of sunlight pierced through gaps in the leaves, creating spotted patterns on the forest floor. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the sweet scent of pine and wildflowers. Dante moved with purpose, his pace brisk, and Madeleine had to push herself to keep up while remaining undetected. The underbrush provided enough cover, allowing her to duck behind trees whenever he paused or seemed about to turn. "This is ridiculous," she thought to herself as she crouched behind a particularly large tree trunk. "I should just confront him directly." But something held her back; a mixture of curiosity and an odd reluctance to face him again so soon. The memory of their last encounter was still raw, his words cutting deeper than she cared to admit. After nearly twenty minutes of this silent pursuit, they reached a small clearing. Madeleine cro
Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Sixteen
—DAWNSPIRE CASTLE, SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA— Madeleine woke up the next day, still churning with frustration from her encounter with Dante. She dressed quickly, pulling on a pair of worn leather boots and a simple tunic she'd borrowed from the castle's stores. "Eight days," she muttered to her reflection in the small mirror hanging on the stone wall. "Eight days and I'm still no closer to finding my place here." She ran a hand through her tangled hair, wincing as her fingers caught in the knots. For a moment, she allowed herself to remember Dante's expression when she'd confronted him; that brief flash of something behind his eyes before the walls had come up again. Something that had made her breath catch in her throat despite her anger. She shook her head sharply. "Focus, Madeleine," she chided herself. "You're here to learn, not to moon over some arrogant phoenix." ****** The training arena was already bustling despite the early hour. The clash of steel against steel echoed
Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Fifteen
—DAWNSPIRE CASTLE, SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA—Madeleine had wandered the stone hallways of Dawnspire Castle for the past week, largely invisible to its other inhabitants. The dragons moved through their daily routines with pinpoint efficiency, barely acknowledging her presence beyond the occasional curious glance.She hadn't managed to catch a glimpse of any of the dragons in their natural form, so she spent most of her time just observing them from shadowed archways and corridors, watching their interactions with one another and their training sessions with growing fascination.The central courtyard had become her favorite place. There, the dragons sparred with weapons that glinted dangerously in the sunlight, their swords clashing against shields, daggers flipping through nimble fingers, and bodies moving with fluid grace. She'd watched them all, but her eyes continually returned to one particular fighter.Dante.He moved with a different kind of grace, his movements somehow both flu
Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Fourteen
—UNKNOWN LOCATION IN AETHERIA—The Veridian awoke with a gasp, his head pounding as consciousness returned to him. Damp soil pressed against his cheek, and the scent of moss and decaying leaves filled his nostrils. He pushed himself up onto his elbows, blinking rapidly as he tried to make sense of his surroundings.He was in a clearing. Tall trees formed a perfect circle around him, their branches reaching toward a night sky dotted with stars. How had he gotten here? The last thing he remembered was—"You've finally awakened. Good."The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, echoing through the clearing yet somehow remaining quiet enough that it couldn't have been heard beyond the tree line.The Veridian scrambled to his feet, spinning in place. "Master? What do you need from me?""Nothing," the voice replied. "Your services are no longer required. The situation has evolved beyond what someone of your capabilities can handle."A chill ran down the Veridian's spine.
Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Thirteen
—DAWNSPIRE CASTLE, SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA—"Who the fuck are you?" A voice boomed, waking Madeleine from a dreamless sleep.She bolted upright, her heart hammering against her ribs as her vision cleared. A man stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed over his chest. He was tall with golden-brown hair that fell past his shoulders, and eyes that seemed to shift between amber and gold as he glared at her."I—" Madeleine clutched the blankets closer, suddenly aware that she was in an unfamiliar bed wearing the same clothes from yesterday. The events of the night before came rushing back–Dante, the castle, phoenix."I asked you a question," the man said, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "Who the fuck are you and why are you in this room? In that bed?"Finding her voice, Madeleine narrowed her eyes. "Who am I? Who are you? And what kind of sick person sneaks into a room that isn't theirs and starts yelling at sleeping strangers?"The man's eyes widened, indignation flashing acro
Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Twelve
—DAWNSPIRE CASTLE, SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA—Madeleine's mind reeled with what Dante had said."Phoenix?" she whispered to herself. The word hung in the empty air, impossible and absurd. She let out a nervous laugh, running her hands through her hair. "Ridiculous."She paced across the stone floor, her footsteps echoing in the cavernous room. "He's toying with me," she muttered. "Phoenixes are myths. Children's tales. Magical birds that burst into flame and are reborn." She gestured wildly at the empty space where he had stood. "They don't exist, and they certainly should not look like..." Her hand waved dismissively. "whatever the hell he is."The air shimmered beside her, and Dante reappeared, dropping a familiar bags on the floor with a thud. Her belongings. He turned to leave, the air already beginning to ripple around him.Madeleine lunged forward, grabbing his arm before he could vanish again. His skin was unnaturally warm beneath her fingers."Be honest with me," she pleaded,
Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Eleven
Dante stood on a rocky ledge in Sunstone Peaks, his hands planted firmly on the rough stones as he gazed at the mountains sprawled beneath him, lost in his thoughts. Dusk was rapidly approaching and the late evening air was cold and smelled of pine.Then he heard it. The voice calling from far away.“Dante! We need your help.”Madeleine's voice. It was faint but clear.His body went tense. He heard the fear in her voice right away. He hadn't expected to hear her call for him and definitely not this soon.Without hesitation, Dante stepped away from the mountain's edge. The air around him shimmered with heat as his form dissolved into embers, vanishing completely.The alleyway in Valoria materialized around him in an instant. His eyes took in the whole scene at once; Madeleine, Lucas, and Sera backed against a brick wall, trapped in the narrow passage. Two werewolves blocked their escape to the street. The scarred werewolf was already mid-air, his claws extended toward Madeleine's throa
Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Ten
—VALORIA, AETHERIA— The early morning light filtered through the herb-lined windows of Lucas and Sera's apothecary, casting a soft golden glow across the workbench where Madeleine carefully sorted dried lavender. Her movements were deliberate and confident. It was a far cry from the wary girl who had first arrived six months ago. "Pass the chamomile," Sera called from across the room, where she was preparing morning potions and elixirs. "And check those rose hips. I think they're starting to go moldy on the bottom of the basket." Madeleine caught the basket with practiced ease, sorting through the herbs with a critical eye. "You're right," she said, pulling out the discolored rose hips. "They've gone bad. I will see about preparing a new batch." Sera laughed, a warm sound that had become familiar over the months. "Look at you. Six months ago, you couldn't tell a rose hip from a berry, and now you're commenting on herb quality like a professional." "I've learned," Madeleine
Bound in Ash and Moonlight Chapter Nine
—OUTSKIRTS OF VALORIA, AETHERIA—The forest gradually thinned as they approached Valoria, sunlight breaking through the canopy in broader patches. The scent of woodsmoke and humanity grew stronger with each step. Distant sounds of city life, merchants calling their wares, the clang of blacksmiths' hammers, and the general hum of thousands of people living in close quarters, drifted toward them on the breeze.Dante stopped at the edge of the tree line, where the forest gave way to cleared land surrounding the city walls. "We've arrived," he announced, his tone flat. He had imagined this moment countless times over the past fortnight and the relief he would feel when he could finally be rid of his unwanted companion and return home. The relief he now found noticeably absent.Madeleine came to stand beside him, her dark eyes widening at the sight of Valoria's imposing stone walls. "It's enormous," she whispered.A rustling behind them announced Anya's arrival. The griffin moved with surp
