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Chapter 48; Smoke— Thick and toxic
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Hearts And Ashes Chapter 49; The Rebels
ARWYN POVThe deafening sound from the ballroom confirmed it—the plan was in motion. A plan meticulously scrawled on the parchment I'd entrusted to Leigh to deliver to Raith. I had my doubts, but Raith's talent for concocting strange, brightly-colored explosives was undeniable. The objective was simple: shake the nobles, rattle their perfectly polished world, and remind them they were not untouchable.Screams erupted, and I could feel the tension rippling through the palace. Noble lords and ladies would be scrambling, trying to maintain their dignity amidst the chaos. A part of me relished the thought of their arrogance crumbling like old stone under pressure.A part of me wished it hadn’t come to this. As much as I reveled in the chaos, I couldn't help but think of my friends, hoping they were safe. I spun on my heels, racing back toward the ballroom, my heart pounding in sync with the distant clashing of steel and shouts. The scene that greeted me was exactly as I had anticipated—ch
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 50; I Pledge Allegiance
The guards snapped to attention, swords drawn, the air around them humming with the charge of their powers. But I knew it would be useless if Pete truly intended to break into the Ember chamber. His presence alone seemed to suffocate the space."Pete," I called out, stepping toward him, my voice steady despite the knot tightening in my chest. "What is your business down here?"Thrystan’s grip on my hand tightened, trying to pull me back behind him, but I resisted. My eyes silently begged him to hold his ground, to stay quiet.Pete’s hooded face turned toward Thrystan, and he sneered. "Ah, Prince Charming. We meet again. After you burned my establishment to the ground." His voice dripped with venom."I’d do it all over again," Thrystan growled, stepping forward.Pete’s grin widened, wicked and mocking. "Shame. You were my best fighter. I had plans for you, you know? Of course, I didn’t realize you were the Prince." His eyes glittered with dark amusement. "If I had known, I would’ve kil
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 51; High-end criminal
THRYSTAN POVEven from the hallway, I could hear Father's voice, commanding and sharp, as it echoed through the stone walls. Tonight had taken a turn no one could have anticipated, least of all me.Arwyn brought Pete here. I can’t wrap my mind around it. Maybe she did it to save her sisters, but there's something more, something unspoken between us. She could have come to me. I would’ve helped her, protected her, but she chose another path.The heavy oak doors creak open, pushed by the guards, and I step into the grand chamber. The Council men are seated, their expressions grave. My uncle stands near the hearth, while my mother sits beside him, tense and pale. High-ranking guests, including Soras’s father, linger in the shadows, whispering among themselves."Thrystan," Father calls from the head of the table, his voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade."Your Grace," I reply, stepping forward with Elaria at my side, her presence quiet but steady."Good. You're safe," Father say
Hearts And Ashes 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
Hearts And Ashes 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
Hearts And Ashes 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
Hearts And Ashes 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
Hearts And Ashes 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
Latest chapter
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 56; A Shard of the Ember
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 55; Ember light the way
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 54; Plague from Ketel
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 53; Guilt in his eyes
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 52; Her Soldier
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 51; High-end criminal
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 50; I Pledge Allegiance
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 49; The Rebels
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 48; Smoke— Thick and toxic
