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Chapter 32
Last Updated:
2021-09-14 00:15:48
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Flight of the cardinal Chapter 33
There was an uncomfortable silence after the words were said.“She can’t!” shouted Gideon, outraged. “She’s mated to Lord Alexander.”“Impossible. The princess is a wielder, and it is known that wielders don’t have shifter mates. It goes against all laws of balance,” interjected Count Robin. He almost seemed insulted by Gideon’s claim.Gideon growled at the count who was much smaller than him. “She is,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “I can smell it on her.”The rest of the rebel leaders looked at me curiously, and I took that as my cue to unbutton my shirt. I showed them Xander’s moon crescent mark on my shoulder. The leaders were silent, looking at each other, then taking steps back to discuss the situation among themselves.Silas looked at my mark with an angry red face but said nothing.The rebel leaders had thought they would pick up the pieces right where the uprising had left them. But the fact that I was mated changed everything.“Alexander Kestrel is the bastard son of t
Last Updated : 2021-09-15Flight of the cardinal Chapter 34
Diana recounted her conversation with Xander while staying at the baron’s guest house. She presented a hypothesis that explained how magic wielders came into our world. She believed that they were originally from the Faiths themselves and were mixed with human blood, which wasn’t intended to happen.However, I was still puzzled by the old man’s words. He had been gradually losing his mind over the years, and I couldn’t comprehend why he called me Aeternum or mentioned a binder. Feeling exasperated, I slouched inelegantly in the library chair.“I can’t speak for the Aeternum part,” Diana said. “The poor man looks half delusional, but I think he is right about you being bound. I noticed your vibrations were muffled when you used your magic; not all of it can come through. We need to find the person who did this to unbind you. But why would someone bind you? Most importantly, binding magic has been lost for hundreds of years. Who would have known the exact way of doing it and succeeding?
Last Updated : 2021-09-15Flight of the cardinal Chapter 35
***Warning: Sensitive subject/trigger ahead***I trained extensively with Diana’s help for days, perfecting my defensive stances and attacking spells. I was happy with the new techniques Diana had found and translated from one book. It brought me back to when I was studying with Otis. The thought of my old magic teacher cramped my heart.We created a training area in the library by moving all the tables and chairs to the sides. It was the perfect spot, as no one ever came in, and it allowed us to train without any distractions.I had been avoiding the rebellion leaders, who were pressuring me to marry Silas. Lord Heron and Count Robin were still adamant about the idea, while Lord Junco and another Lord named Swallow seemed to be less certain. I had not seen or heard from Silas since our initial meeting with the leaders, and I was starting to feel as though he was angry with me, or perhaps he was upset about the situation that had arisen between him, Xander and me.The pressure to marry
Last Updated : 2021-09-16Flight of the cardinal Chapter 36
Xander POVThe ale served at our table was questionable. It was warm and left a bitter taste in my mouth, making me regret ordering it. I looked around the crowded tavern, trying to keep my nerves at bay. I said, “It shouldn’t be too long now,” to reassure myself as much as Corbin Hawk, who sat across from me. He was tapping his foot impatiently, and his silence during our investigation had me on edge. He would only grunt or grit his teeth in frustration.I had spent the past week running circles around the city, trying to dodge the rebels and keep Mr. Hawk off their trail. Gideon had given me information about a warehouse that held goods I could destroy without damaging the rebellion. It was a perfect plan, but Mr. Hawk was relentless, like my father. He made it hard to stick to my plan. He was highly dedicated and didn’t back down once he had a scent. His keen sense of observation made me wary of him, and I had to be cautious. His presence could ultimately be my undoing as a member o
Last Updated : 2021-09-17Flight of the cardinal Chapter 37
Diana POVI had been sitting beside Ida for several days in an underground room completely cut off from the outside world. I lost track of time since there were no windows and I couldn’t see the sky. Ida, on the other hand, was sleeping soundly, trying to recover from whatever had happened to her.During this time, I kept reflecting on that particular day, trying to find any missing pieces that could help me understand the situation better. After Gideon had finished training with Ida, and she had gone to the hot springs, he informed me about Alexander and his investigation in Maple. Both Gideon and I were worried about his delay in finishing his job and joining us.Since our arrival at the rebellion headquarters, Gideon had been diligently gathering any information he could about Alexander’s status with the warehouse and would inform me of any updates. I used this information to keep Ida calm whenever she began to feel anxious.On that day, Gideon had some good news for me. “It’s happe
Last Updated : 2021-09-18Flight of the cardinal Chapter 38
I opened my eyes to find Diana sleeping beside me. Her upper body slumped over the bed while her legs lay on the floor. I wondered if she had been praying. I shifted my position, needing to stretch my limbs and let them breathe. It had been so warm under the covers.The night I collapsed, I remembered feeling a sudden and intense heat emanating from the mate bond. I knew I had to shield Xander, so I took some of the heat from him. However, I didn’t expect it to be so intense that it would burn me to the point of fainting. I did it without knowing if it would work, but I couldn’t leave Xander like that. The thought of living without him was unbearable.Diana stirred from my movements. She lifted her head from the mattress and looked at me. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she almost threw herself onto me but quickly regained her composure and helped me out of bed, mumbling some sort of apology. I chuckled at her reaction but winced at the stiffness of my body. It felt like a horse’s ho
Last Updated : 2021-09-19Flight of the cardinal Chapter 39
Finally, it was just Xander and I alone under the beautiful glow of the moon and stars. I felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over me as I looked into his eyes. I kissed him fiercely, letting my hands wander the length of his bare shoulders and chest.I broke away, which made him groan against my mouth. I wanted to remove the shirt that separated my skin from his. Once it was off and on the ground, he circled his arms and lifted me up, positioning me on top of him.I straddled Xander, grinding my hips on his growing bulge. I needed him, needed to touch him. I wanted to forget and think only of Xander.He brought my breast to his mouth and nipped it, grazing the hardened bud of my nipple. I moaned as he swirled his tongue and kneaded my other breast with his hand.I raked my fingers through his black hair and tugged at it slightly, urging him on. I could feel my muscles contract and pressure building up between my legs.I slid my hand along his stomach and gripped his cock, takin
Last Updated : 2021-09-20Flight of the cardinal Chapter 40
Throughout the night, I tried to reason with Xander as we discussed the implications of his potential attack on Silas. We both knew that such an act could have disastrous consequences for the rebellion and ourselves. It was clear to me that Silas had acted on his own without the approval of the rebellion leaders. I believed that the rebellion leaders valued my contribution to their cause too much to risk putting me at odds with it. Despite some individuals in the rebellion still hoping that I would renounce my fated mate, they were unlikely to approve of Silas’s actions.With all of this in mind, I concluded that it would be best for me to leave Starling Castle for a while. I led Xander through the underground tunnel, which snaked its way through the labyrinthine underground passages of the castle. Xander had never been to Perch, so this was his first time on rebellion territory. Despite his affiliation with the rebellion, he was still unfamiliar with their stronghold.Once we arrived
Last Updated : 2021-09-21
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Flight of the cardinal Sneak Peek for book two: Rise of the cardinal
The whip cracked in the air. I felt the leather strings touch my lower back, and as Shrike pulled, I could feel my skin lift and tear. Once the hooks were out, I was flung back near the post. I stopped breathing and tried to control the pain. I had not expected that. “The show is for my personal amusement, as well as to install fear in your mind. Fear in the body is no fun, but fear in the mind, now that is entertaining. Regarding the reasons why I am doing this… let’s just say it’s simply to pass the time until the king arrives, and then we get down to the nitty-gritty.” I felt the leather touch the inside of my ribs. Again, the skin pulled as the hooks receded. Shrike inflicted four more hits, but those had been higher on my back, where my skin was thicker. It pained me less than the previous ones, but I still had to muffle a cry. I started sweating from the pain and noticed that my feet and knees were slipping in the small pool of blood that was accumulating under me. At this rat
Flight of the cardinal Chapter 48 - End
Xander POVAs Ida and Diana left the house, I felt a sudden urge to warn them again against attending the meeting. My Lycan and I had a bad feeling about the whole thing, especially since Ida’s scent was different. Although Diana had reassured us that everything was fine, something felt off about her. Over the past few weeks, we had noticed a significant change in her, and even Gideon had mentioned it to me. But we were both at a loss as to what it could be. I couldn’t believe that two prime shifters, like us, couldn’t tell what was wrong with Ida.Leo walked out of the house and looked at me with pleading eyes, hoping to join us. I ruffled his hair and smiled, but had to disappoint him and leave him behind.“Keep Nimu in the house and ensure everything is ready when we return. The horses must be fed properly if we are to leave in the evening.”Leo’s face turned bitter as he realized he wouldn’t join us. He was still young and had a lot to learn. I couldn’t take the risk of putting him
Flight of the cardinal Chapter 47
I closed my eyes and allowed my thoughts to focus on unlocking the memory orb. I sensed the magical energy emanating from the glass sphere and let my own energy flow into it, absorbing some of its power. I slowed my breathing, listening to the vibrations passing through my fingers and into my body. I imagined the orb as a small, delicate package, tied with multiple taut strings that protected its contents from being revealed.I whispered an unlocking incantation, trying to tug at the invisible strings within the orb. I felt my magic tugging at the strings, but they refused to budge. I tried again, chanting the incantation with more intent. I sensed the energy within the orb vibrating in response to my magic, but the strings still held fast.I decided to try a different approach. I would force the strings and break them. I summoned all the energy I could muster, feeling my body heat up and the orb becoming warm as well. I focused my power on the strings, envisioning them snapping under
Flight of the cardinal Chapter 46
I took out one of my fancier dresses to wear for my outing, and Xander’s voice echoed in my mind, reminding me of the potential dangers that lay ahead. “You both could walk into a trap,” he had warned me. I knew that leaving the house was a risk, but I needed to get out and find out the truth.As I slipped into the dress, I thought about how Xander had always been so protective of me. It was both comforting and frustrating at the same time. But I knew that in this case, he was right. I needed to be careful if I was going to venture out into the world.My hands were on the poster from the bed, and Diana was cinching up my corset. Each time she tightened a lacing, it constricted my chest and made me take a laboured breath.Why did they have to make those things so tight?Diana pulled on another set of strings, and I almost fainted from the tightness.“Oh, might have overdone it. Sorry, Ida. Let me loosen this a bit,” Diana mumbled as she saw my face pale.Xander, visibly frustrated, sat
Flight of the cardinal Chapter 45
After several days had passed without any response from Denis, we came to the conclusion that he had no intention of assisting us, and so we began to prepare to leave the city. Diana was extremely upset after learning that her brother was still alive but had not replied to her note. She was on the edge of a breakdown, and I could see the turmoil in her eyes.“Did he read the message you gave him?” Diana asked me repeatedly.We had already discussed this subject multiple times, and I had given her the same answer each time.“I’m not sure. All I know is that Denis took the note and put it in his front pocket. Can you please tell me what was on that piece of paper I gave him?”Diana continued folding our clothes, appearing deep in thought and keeping the note a secret from us. Her behaviour had caused quite a stir with Xander, who was afraid that Diana might betray us and sell us out to her brother. I understood Xander’s concerns, but I also understood why Diana was being secretive. The C
Flight of the cardinal Chapter 44
After Diana’s name left Denis’s lips, he rapidly collected himself and cleared his throat. “I’m so sorry. I mistook you for someone I knew long ago. Please forgive my misobservation. Allow me to help you. That was quite a tumble you almost had.” Denis gingerly got up and made his way to help Diana with the mess the fallen tray had left.“Please, let me take care of it, sir,” I interjected, stepping before Diana.Whatever had happened, Diana still seemed a little shaken by the event. She straightened and mumbled, “It’s fine,” then quickly gathered the broken porcelain.I didn’t think my friend almost fell; her path was clear, and Diana was an experienced maid with a steady footing. I thought she let the tray slip by sheer shock. Although the man and Diana appeared to recognize each other, they both acted as strangers. I thought it would be best to separate them before the guards became suspicious.I looked at Xander, who understood my hint and started asking the curator about the chest’
Flight of the cardinal Chapter 43
We had been stuck in the house for three long days without anyone coming to get us. Xander, who was usually patient, had become irritable from waiting for so long. Being Unnaturals, we were all too afraid to venture outside, except for Diana, who left to fetch food and supplies. She made sure to return as quickly as possible each time, not wanting to leave us alone for too long. The rest of us, Gideon, Nimu, Leo, Xander, and I, had chosen to stay inside the house, watching the world outside through the windows.The city we were in had strict laws against the colour red, so I dyed my hair brown to avoid drawing any unwanted attention to myself. It was especially important since we needed to go to the Arcane Library and didn’t want to risk being caught. I had brought some of my own clothes, but we had limited space, so I was grateful that Lady Lucia had left some of her dresses and petticoats during her last visit.I wanted to look presentable as the fiancée of a lord, so I wore my nicer
Flight of the cardinal Chapter 42
The day had dawned early, and we had eaten our breakfast quickly, eager to set out for Cardinal City. We had enough food packed to last us the rest of our journey, and we knew it was less than a day’s ride away. Our plan was to go directly to the Kestrel’s house, which they owned and used when summoned to court.As we set out, I felt a sense of foreboding as we approached my old home. The memories of Cardinal City, once beautiful and happy, were now tainted by the events of the uprising.Cardinal City sat atop a mountain. The steep rocky mountainsides protected it, and the only way in or out was through the thick, dark forest that lined it from the south. It reminded me of a peninsula, except air surrounded it, and the city was high above the clouds.It was technically a stronghold. The northern, eastern, and western sides of the city were fortified with walls that blended with the jagged rocks of the mountain. The natural rock walls descended toward the ocean, while the ramparts above
Flight of the cardinal Chapter 41
On the morning we left Starling Castle, we encountered Gideon and Leo on horseback while we reached the outskirts of Perch. Xander had predicted that we would meet them on our way out, and he was proven right. Gideon seemed anxious to see us so early in the morning, and his demeanour was tense. However, after Diana and Xander explained what had happened, Gideon’s mood also became sour.Despite the tension, I was thrilled to see little Leo again. He was a sweet and lively child, and his presence was a welcome distraction from the others’ brooding mood. He sat between Gideon’s legs, holding the horse’s mane. When he saw me, his eyes lit up, and I moved my horse closer to Gideon’s, inviting Leo to come and sit on my horse for a while. He happily obliged, and we rode together for a bit, chatting and laughing as we went.I wasn’t sure if they had used the forest path to leave the city of Maple, but I knew their horse must have been exhausted. Gideon had even brought back a small chest conta
