I tentatively reached up to touch the spot where the gash had been, but to my astonishment, there was no trace of it remaining. It was as if it had never been there at all."Thank you," I muttered, my voice barely audible as I struggled to find the right words to express my gratitude.Valen merely nodded, his expression unreadable as he took a step back, putting some distance between us. The tension between us lingered in the air, thick and palpable, as we stood there in silence, the weight of our unspoken words hanging heavily between us. As I grappled with the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me, the abrupt sound of approaching footsteps shattered the uneasy silence that hung between us. We both turned to see Rhaenan standing in the doorway, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity, his eyes flitting between me and Valen."Are you alright?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern as he stepped closer, his gaze lingering on the unmarred skin of my neck.I forced a sm
Whatever bond I thought Valen and I had forged over our shared ordeal with the Algoths seemed to have vanished into thin air.As we sat around the dining table for dinner, a heavy silence hung in the air, punctuated only by the clinking of utensils against porcelain. Valen brooded, his mood palpable even in the dim candlelight. I couldn't fathom what was weighing on his mind, but I dared not disturb his thoughts with idle conversation. Rhaenan, too, seemed lost in his own thoughts, his expression unreadable as he picked at his food.The revelation that there were indeed people bustling about the mansion had left me feeling hyper-aware of my surroundings. I found myself stealing glances at various places in the mansion and imagining what some folks might be doing there. I stare at the food, now burying my previous assumption that there was no cook and everything materialized at the snap of Valen's fingers.My gaze drifted across the table to Valen, who sat in stony silence, his attenti
Valen's breath sends a shiver down my spine as he lingers close, his presence both comforting and unsettling. His words penetrate the haze of my thoughts, drawing my attention back to the present. "The blemish is totally gone," he whispers against my skin, his voice sending a jolt of electricity through me.My mind races to catch up with his words. "What blemish?" I inquire, my voice barely above a whisper."The one left by the Algoth," he explains, his tone soft yet matter-of-fact. "I healed the cut, but there was still a pink mark. It's gone now."His proximity leaves me feeling exposed, vulnerable even. Instinctively, my hands rise, coming to rest on his chest as I gently push him away, the contact sending a jolt of awareness coursing through me. Clearing my throat and fussing with my dress, I avoid meeting his gaze, choosing instead to focus on anything but him. I can sense his smile, though, a knowing grin that lingers in the air like a tantalizing secret."Thank you for lifting
The charming melodies wafting up from the hall downstairs beckon me like a siren's song, filling the long corridor with an air of anticipation. Unlike the predictable rhythms of my days in Ferngrove, where each sunrise brought familiar routines, stepping into this new world feels like diving into the unknown depths of a vast ocean.Downstairs, the sounds of laughter and animated conversation echo through the grand hall, mingling with the soft glow of candlelight. My hands clench in front of me, a mixture of excitement and trepidation coursing through my veins. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever awaits me below.With each step down the ornate staircase, the polished marble floors reverberate beneath my feet, amplifying the rhythm of my heartbeat. As I approach the heart of the festivities, a surge of anticipation courses through me, mingling with the thrill of the unknown. The party unfolds before me like a tapestry of enchantment, the air alive with the cadence of lau
We all experience those moments when we're caught in the crossfire, uncertain of whether to intervene or remain silent. Right now, I find myself in the heart of such a moment.The tension between the two men is palpable, their gazes locked in a fierce battle of wills. Malevolence hangs heavy in the air, and I realize with a sinking feeling that I've unwittingly stumbled into the midst of their animosity. I need to extricate myself from this situation, and fast.Stumbling away from Baelorin, I feel his hand reach out as if to stop me, but it hesitates, frozen in mid-air. I come to a halt, my gaze fixed on Valen, who stands before me with a look of unbridled hostility directed at Baelorin. It's as if he's preventing him from touching me with his powers."Stop it!" I exclaim, my voice ringing out in the charged atmosphere. Valen's piercing gaze shifts to me, but I refuse to back down. "You really are insufferable, you know that?" I step closer to him, tilting my chin defiantly upward. Ba
As I delved deeper into the dense woods, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant calls of woodland creatures surrounded me. The cool autumn breeze filled my lungs as I moved with the grace of a seasoned hunter. Hunger gnawed at my belly, and my arms ached from carrying my bow in search of sustenance, akin to a famished predator. The truth is, hunger grips not just me but all of us in Ferngrove.Until two years ago, Ferngrove thrived. Its lands were abundant, and fishermen returned daily with tales of plentiful catches. However, the past two years have been marked by hardship. Famine has become our unwanted companion. The once plentiful fish have vanished from our waters, and the wildlife seems to be in constant flux. Some whisper of a curse upon Ferngrove, but my father, the village chief, insists it's merely a phase. But how long must we endure?I press forward, my bow at the ready, its wood worn smooth by countless hunts. Each step reinforces my duty to provide for my family in
We waited in tense silence for Father to continue."The villagers are right. Ferngrove is cursed," Father's words echoed in the small room, sending a chill down our spines.Edina's reaction was palpable; her face drained of color, lips pale, and even her usual rosy cheeks devoid of their warmth. She withdrew her hand from Father's grasp, her eyes darting around the room, avoiding his gaze.I was puzzled. What did they know that I didn't? I tried to read Edina's expression, usually an open book to me, but now it was inscrutable.Summoning my courage, I managed to ask, "What's happening?""Do you remember the stories from your childhood?" Father turned to me, while Edina nodded in recognition. Memories of Mother's frightening tales and Father's warnings of a Fae lord with horns and fiery blazing eyes flooded my mind."He cursed the land, bringing famine for two long years before claiming his tribute," I whispered, my voice strained. "But... I thought those were just bedtime stories. Fat
As consciousness slowly seeped back into my senses, I was met with the biting sting of pain radiating from the cut at the base of my neck. Groaning, I struggled to open my eyes, the dim light of the dungeon flickering before me like distant memories. Sweat ran down every corner of my face sticking my long ruby hair to my neck in an uncomfortable manner.Blinking away the haze, I surveyed my surroundings. The dungeon was devoid of windows, enveloped in darkness save for the flickering torch mounted on the stone wall. The air was thick with the musty scent of damp earth and decay, sending a shiver down my spine.With each labored breath, I felt the weight of my predicament press down upon me like a suffocating blanket. Alone in this desolate chamber, I couldn't help but wonder about Edina, Father, and home. Were they safe? Did they mourn my absence, or had they already moved on, resigned to the fate I had chosen?Thoughts of Edina's tear-streaked face and Father's solemn gaze tugged at