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Ch. 8 Wrong Move
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2024-03-22 04:50:27Related chapters
Fire's Determination Ch. 9 Alive, Not Dead
I gasped and sat bolt upright, my eyes darting around frantically, trying to figure out where I was. Ellis swam into view, relief and awe written on her face. Then I felt it—dark tethers, invisible to anyone but me, extended outwards, connecting me to every nearby life force. I looked up into Ellis's face, feeling her life force pulsing in front of me, alongside the throbbing energies of the others nearby. One of them was so weak already... I flinched, pulling back the magic and slamming it deep inside me. As soon as I did, Ellis took a deep breath as though she suddenly felt better. She shook her head in confusion, as if she had felt the shift, but offered me a small smile. "You know, a normal mage would've been out cold for days," she mused, pressing the back of her palm to my forehead. I waved her off, watching her face closely for signs of suspicion or doubt. "How long was I out?" I asked, throwing the blanket off and ignoring Ellis's attempts to get me to lie back down. I coul
Last Updated : 2024-03-22Fire's Determination Ch. 10 Constant
"So, what's this meeting about?" A familiar voice asked, and I turned to see Gil walking into the council room. Apprehension rushed through me. How is he feeling about Wulfrud? How am I going to tell him about the alliance? How will he take it? He froze as he saw me, "You're up already? You used so much energy, Lyra. Are you sure you're ok to be here?" Concern dripped from his voice. My mother had pushed the meeting back a few hours while I slept, but after my father and I found her, she made it clear just how displeased she was with my recklessness. She assured me how happy she was that I wasn't dead, but then reiterated on how angry she was that I wasn't still resting and recuperating after my ordeal. Once her rant ended, we had come to the council room to wait for everyone else to arrive. I had avoided telling her—or anyone else—exactly how I had recovered so quickly. I didn't want my people looking at me like I was a monster. The Queen Mage and the Mage Consort were alread
Last Updated : 2024-03-22Fire's Determination Ch. 11 No Secrets
I could feel my mother preparing to jump in when, finally, Triguni spoke up. "We've been waiting a long time for your birth. You'll accomplish much in your lifetime. As you've already shown, you understand the importance of calculated action rather than just merely relying on magic. Aeon would be proud of the woman you've become, Princess." She leaned back in her chair and resumed her silence. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat at Triguni's words, my gaze once again drifting to Aeon's empty seat. For a moment, no one else spoke until Perrin, tentatively, ventured, "Yes, I see the appeal of this union," the Potioneer mused thoughtfully. "With those added supplies, we wouldn't have to keep stretching Kiell, Liza, Terra and Enid to their breaking points. The workload those four have endured over the last few months is beyond what I thought they could handle. But I fear they might be a little too willing to sacrifice certain things for our future." "What do you mean by
Last Updated : 2024-03-22Fire's Determination Ch. 12 Broken Lines
The healer set her shoulders as if steeling herself to say whatever was on her mind, then sighed loudly. "Humans? Princess, they don't care for their people; they own them. They shouldn't be the answer to our plight." She paused to gauge my reaction, and when I merely nodded, allowing her to continue, she pressed on, bolstered by the looks of everyone else around the table—everyone except for Gil, who was still pointedly staring at me. In turn, I continued avoiding his gaze, focusing instead on Amnati. "By doing this, you're not only selling yourself into the ownership of the King; you're selling all of us. We'll lose our way of life, our independence, our beliefs and culture. The humans will drive away everything that makes us who we are and force us to replace it with their own ideals, thoughts and beliefs. And why should we trust these people? They've butchered us, enslaved us and tortured our kind for sheer amusement in the past. They make sports out of grotesque acts. Aeon isn
Last Updated : 2024-03-22Fire's Determination Ch. 13 Captain of the Guard
I remained standing as the stranger stopped just short of the table, keeping a respectful distance before bowing at the waist. "Queen Mage," he began, but I held up my hand to stop him, and he fell silent. I saw his posture stiffen, but I didn't care. I truly intended to show this man that he wasn't as important to us as his King had probably convinced him he was. If I could unnerve him, all the better for me in what I hoped would be a negotiation. "Thank you, Malorie, for delivering our guest to us. Council, we shall end here for today. Everyone out besides our guest, please." There was scraping of chairs and the soft patter of footfalls as everyone walked towards the door. Given how little I was looking forward to this conversation, it was a painfully short process. The council room wasn't large and extravagant; unlike the types of halls favored by humans, which were always grandiose and expensively made. We preferred simplicity and efficiency when it came to matters of design.
Last Updated : 2024-03-22Fire's Determination Ch. 14 Only So Far
"Your Majesty—" "And stop calling me that." I waved a hand in his direction. "That's a made-up human title meant to bolster and feed the egos of those who wear your unnecessary crowns. Real leaders don't need inflated egos or fancy accessories to prove their worth to their people. So for me to be called as such is insulting," I finished coolly. Tross just stared at me, wide-eyed for a moment, before shaking himself back to the present and clearing his throat. "Yes, Queen Mage. I apologize for any offense. But if I may, what do you mean you don't want to be ruled by the King?" "I mean just that. We'll ally with him; we'll help when needed, when we can. We'll fulfill our part of the contract. But at the end of it all, mages will still be their own people, their own rulers. This alliance, between," I paused, almost saying "myself and the throne," but corrected it to maintain the ruse, "the Princess and the throne, will, as your King put in his letter, be a symbolic marriage to sho
Last Updated : 2024-03-22Fire's Determination Ch. 15 Courtesy
"No..." He said, pausing to give me another look up and down, as if verifying something in his head. "In the event that she is still too young to marry and fulfill wifely responsibilities, she'd be promised to the Prince until she is old enough to carry out those duties. Obviously, we'd still take her with us and let her finish her childhood in the Kingdom, as per the letter we sent. But the sooner we can present this unity to our people, the better." He offered, looking like he'd rather be discussing anything but my daughter’s "wifely responsibilities" with me. Frustration bubbled up within me; apparently, there had been more in that letter than my mother let on. "Hmmm," I said, leaning back. "So, how old is she? If you don't mind my saying, Queen Mage, you look awfully young to have an heir old enough to be married off," he noted. "The Princess is plenty old enough to be married. She goes into this willingly. Fiery, a little temperamental maybe, but willingly nonetheless." I repli
Last Updated : 2024-03-22Fire's Determination Ch. 16 I am Your Right Hand
"Malorie," I called softly once I was outside the Council Chamber doors, knowing the Potioneer had stayed nearby in case she was needed. The other mage rushed out from around the corner and gave me a quick bow. “Princess,” she acknowledged. "Malorie, could you please show the esteemed Captain to the guest chambers where he can stay for the night? And if he would like to get out and stretch his legs at all throughout the day, make sure someone is there to escort him," I said, fully aware that Tross was listening through the open door, though I didn't turn to look at him. "It will be done, Princess," the Potioneer replied with another bow. I sighed and shook my head slightly. "Seriously, stop with the bowing, Mal," I whispered, and she nodded in compliance. I turned to walk away but paused and looked back over my shoulder at her. "If you run into my mother, and she seems in a foul mood, tell her I'll be in the gardens, would you?" With that, I headed out the side door that led into
Last Updated : 2024-03-22
Latest chapter
Fire's Determination Ch. 19 An Exemplary Leader
The smell of food was intoxicating as we walked through the doors into the dining hall. Mages from all over the island came here to eat, so it was rarely a quiet occasion. My stomach twisted painfully as I inhaled the aroma of fresh bread and seasoned meats. This was the only good outcome of yesterday’s tragedy; those who managed to return safely hadn’t abandoned the spoils of their hunting ventures. My people would eat well for a few weeks before another hunting party would need to be dispatched. The mages who offered up their services to cook and prepare meals always laid out the choices buffet-style on a long table. Everyone understood the importance of being mindful of their portions. We had little food to share between a large group of mages. I helped myself to a slice of venison, some fresh vegetables from the royal gardens, and one of Godfrey’s fresh rolls. He had absolutely perfected them. They had a beautifully crisp exterior, and once you took a bite, you would discover a
Fire's Determination Ch. 18 Not in a Hurry
Sylvren's voice cut through the air like ice, her tone sharp as if crackles of electricity surrounded the Queen Mage. I watched Gil very slowly wiping his fingers on his pants, his face as red as my hair, which I was hurriedly trying to fix. As if regaining control of my wind-blown hair could erase what my mother had just witnessed. "A little inappropriate, don't you think, now that you're engaged?" Sylvren's words lingered in the air, tinged with disapproval. "Technically," I breathed out, more of a pant than a response, attempting to mask my embarrassment with false bravado. "I'm not engaged yet." I added, my hand grasping for the contract. When my fingers only felt the hard stone of the bench, I looked over and saw the contract lazily making its way back towards me on a soft breeze—our passion tornado had rehomed it several feet away. Snatching it from the air, I whispered, "Thank you," to Gil under my breath. I extended the paperwork to my mother, who ripped it from my grasp. "
Fire's Determination Ch. 17 Too Warm
Gil covered my hand with his. "That's the future. Don't worry about it right now. Live in the present. Right here. With me. In the garden you love so much," he said softly, and I looked up, meeting his golden-brown eyes—the ones that looked so much like Ignatius's. "No, don't go there. Don't dwell in that dark place in your mind. Stay here, with me. In this garden, with this beautiful Morning Glory vine that Enid absolutely hates because it's a waste of space and kills everything it touches," he crooned. He always seemed to know what I needed, even before I did. My thoughts, which had been a jumbled mess just moments ago, began to dissipate, pushed back enough to give me time to breathe and relax. He understood my struggle to prioritize my thoughts sometimes and always did what he could to give me a break from the constant noise of ideas and emotions in my head. "Don't think about earlier. Don't think about tomorrow. Just think about right now. Just this," he whispered right before
Fire's Determination Ch. 16 I am Your Right Hand
"Malorie," I called softly once I was outside the Council Chamber doors, knowing the Potioneer had stayed nearby in case she was needed. The other mage rushed out from around the corner and gave me a quick bow. “Princess,” she acknowledged. "Malorie, could you please show the esteemed Captain to the guest chambers where he can stay for the night? And if he would like to get out and stretch his legs at all throughout the day, make sure someone is there to escort him," I said, fully aware that Tross was listening through the open door, though I didn't turn to look at him. "It will be done, Princess," the Potioneer replied with another bow. I sighed and shook my head slightly. "Seriously, stop with the bowing, Mal," I whispered, and she nodded in compliance. I turned to walk away but paused and looked back over my shoulder at her. "If you run into my mother, and she seems in a foul mood, tell her I'll be in the gardens, would you?" With that, I headed out the side door that led into
Fire's Determination Ch. 15 Courtesy
"No..." He said, pausing to give me another look up and down, as if verifying something in his head. "In the event that she is still too young to marry and fulfill wifely responsibilities, she'd be promised to the Prince until she is old enough to carry out those duties. Obviously, we'd still take her with us and let her finish her childhood in the Kingdom, as per the letter we sent. But the sooner we can present this unity to our people, the better." He offered, looking like he'd rather be discussing anything but my daughter’s "wifely responsibilities" with me. Frustration bubbled up within me; apparently, there had been more in that letter than my mother let on. "Hmmm," I said, leaning back. "So, how old is she? If you don't mind my saying, Queen Mage, you look awfully young to have an heir old enough to be married off," he noted. "The Princess is plenty old enough to be married. She goes into this willingly. Fiery, a little temperamental maybe, but willingly nonetheless." I repli
Fire's Determination Ch. 14 Only So Far
"Your Majesty—" "And stop calling me that." I waved a hand in his direction. "That's a made-up human title meant to bolster and feed the egos of those who wear your unnecessary crowns. Real leaders don't need inflated egos or fancy accessories to prove their worth to their people. So for me to be called as such is insulting," I finished coolly. Tross just stared at me, wide-eyed for a moment, before shaking himself back to the present and clearing his throat. "Yes, Queen Mage. I apologize for any offense. But if I may, what do you mean you don't want to be ruled by the King?" "I mean just that. We'll ally with him; we'll help when needed, when we can. We'll fulfill our part of the contract. But at the end of it all, mages will still be their own people, their own rulers. This alliance, between," I paused, almost saying "myself and the throne," but corrected it to maintain the ruse, "the Princess and the throne, will, as your King put in his letter, be a symbolic marriage to sho
Fire's Determination Ch. 13 Captain of the Guard
I remained standing as the stranger stopped just short of the table, keeping a respectful distance before bowing at the waist. "Queen Mage," he began, but I held up my hand to stop him, and he fell silent. I saw his posture stiffen, but I didn't care. I truly intended to show this man that he wasn't as important to us as his King had probably convinced him he was. If I could unnerve him, all the better for me in what I hoped would be a negotiation. "Thank you, Malorie, for delivering our guest to us. Council, we shall end here for today. Everyone out besides our guest, please." There was scraping of chairs and the soft patter of footfalls as everyone walked towards the door. Given how little I was looking forward to this conversation, it was a painfully short process. The council room wasn't large and extravagant; unlike the types of halls favored by humans, which were always grandiose and expensively made. We preferred simplicity and efficiency when it came to matters of design.
Fire's Determination Ch. 12 Broken Lines
The healer set her shoulders as if steeling herself to say whatever was on her mind, then sighed loudly. "Humans? Princess, they don't care for their people; they own them. They shouldn't be the answer to our plight." She paused to gauge my reaction, and when I merely nodded, allowing her to continue, she pressed on, bolstered by the looks of everyone else around the table—everyone except for Gil, who was still pointedly staring at me. In turn, I continued avoiding his gaze, focusing instead on Amnati. "By doing this, you're not only selling yourself into the ownership of the King; you're selling all of us. We'll lose our way of life, our independence, our beliefs and culture. The humans will drive away everything that makes us who we are and force us to replace it with their own ideals, thoughts and beliefs. And why should we trust these people? They've butchered us, enslaved us and tortured our kind for sheer amusement in the past. They make sports out of grotesque acts. Aeon isn
Fire's Determination Ch. 11 No Secrets
I could feel my mother preparing to jump in when, finally, Triguni spoke up. "We've been waiting a long time for your birth. You'll accomplish much in your lifetime. As you've already shown, you understand the importance of calculated action rather than just merely relying on magic. Aeon would be proud of the woman you've become, Princess." She leaned back in her chair and resumed her silence. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat at Triguni's words, my gaze once again drifting to Aeon's empty seat. For a moment, no one else spoke until Perrin, tentatively, ventured, "Yes, I see the appeal of this union," the Potioneer mused thoughtfully. "With those added supplies, we wouldn't have to keep stretching Kiell, Liza, Terra and Enid to their breaking points. The workload those four have endured over the last few months is beyond what I thought they could handle. But I fear they might be a little too willing to sacrifice certain things for our future." "What do you mean by
