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Chapter 42; A Bit Wild
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2024-09-03 19:53:11
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Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 43; The Hunt
ARWYN POVâYou must love living in the countryside, my Lord,â Ahvi remarked to Lord Ezlyn Cromwell, her voice light and teasing.âIndeed, I do,â Cromwell replied, his tone steady, betraying nothing more than a simple truth.Ahvi chuckled, her fingers toying with the reins of her horse. âI canât blame you. They say itâs quite charming out here. And your family owns countless ranches and grand estates, donât they?âLord Cromwell gave a curt nod. âYouâve heard correctly.âTheir conversation drifted on, a melody of casual words, but I let my mind wander, refusing to be pulled into their banter. My attention remained fixed on the path ahead, every muscle taut, ready to react at the first sign of movement. Perhaps I would spot a deer, a mountain goat, or even a rabbitâsome unsuspecting creature to claim as my prey.âEase up on that bowstring, Balchor, or youâll snap it in two,â Tristanâs voice cut through my focus. I glanced at him, catching the subtle curve of a smile at the edge of his li
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-09-04Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 44; Trophy
ARWYN POVThe flickering fire cast a warm, golden glow over the clearing, its flames crackling softly as they danced in the night air. Thrystan and I sat side by side on a fallen log, the cool evening breeze still carrying the faint scent of the sea. Our clothes clung to us, damp from our earlier tumble into the water, but the heat from the fire was doing its best to chase away the lingering chill.I tucked my knees up, hugging them close as I stared into the flames, the silence between us easy and comfortable. Thrystan shifted beside me, his wet hair tousled and drying in unruly waves. He poked at the fire with a stick, sending a small shower of sparks upward into the twilight.âWeâll have to answer for this, you know,â he said, a playful glint in his eyes as he broke the silence. âRunning off, getting soaked, and now camping out by the sea. Not exactly the most dignified end to the day.âI smirked, nudging him with my elbow. âAs if you care about dignity, Thrystan. You were the one
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-09-05Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 45; Sparks Of Gossip
ARWYN POVThe sun began to paint the sky in soft hues of pink and gold as we rode into the camp the next morning, the air still crisp with the lingering chill of night. The campfires from the previous evening had long since dwindled to embers, sending thin tendrils of smoke curling into the dawn air.Thrystan rode beside me, behind us, the deer hung from the back of my horse, its lifeless body swaying gently with each step.As we entered the camp, heads began to turn. Murmurs rose among the gathered hunters and soldiers even to the honourable guests, their eyes flicking from the deer to me, then to Thrystan. Some whispered behind cupped hands, others simply stared, but all wore expressions of curiosityâmixed with a touch of admiration.I felt the weight of their gazes, the hush that fell over the camp as we passed through, but I kept my head high, refusing to let it rattle me."Looks like weâve caused a bit of a stir," Thrystan murmured under his breath, his lips curving into a sly sm
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-09-07Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 46; Third time's a charm
THRYSTAN POV"I hope you enjoyed your little night rendezvous," Elariaâs voice was smooth, yet carried an undercurrent of caution as she swept into my tent, her hands delicately clasped in front of her embroidered gown. Her eyes flicked over me, calculating."Come to give me another lecture on staying away from Arwyn, sister?" I tossed my gloves onto the wooden chest and sank onto the edge of the bed. The hunt had ended, and with it, the brief escape from palace life. Once again, I was back in my gilded cage, playing the part of the perfect Prince. And now, there was the ball to prepare forâa masquerade I wasnât sure I was ready to face.Elariaâs lips twitched, barely forming a smile. "No. I believe I've said enough for you to understand that sheâs dangerous."I raised an eyebrow, unlacing my hunting boots with deliberate slowness. "I seem to recall that you were the one who liked the idea of her being in the palace. Thanks to you, sheâs here."Elariaâs expression tightened, her mout
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-09-08Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 47; Quite A Stir
ARWYN POVThe gown fit perfectly, its silken fabric clinging to my waist like it was woven for this very moment. Leigh's face flushed a soft pink as she clasped her hands together, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she took in my appearance from head to toe."I always knew youâd look breathtaking in a ball gown," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I only wish Lilith could see you now."The smile on my lips faltered, the weight of our dire circumstances pressing heavily on my chest. The responsibility laid upon me was a burden I could not shake. The King had to die. It was the only way to save Lilith. Pete wasn't the sort of man who could be reasoned withâhe was a force that crushed anything in his path.Leigh, sensing the shift in my mood, murmured softly, "You know, he always listened to you. MaybeâĶ maybe you could talk to him. Make him see reason. Convince him to demand something else."A bitter laugh escaped me. "Marlon came to the palace a few nights ago. He thre
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-09-09Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 48; Smokeâ Thick and toxic
THRYSTAN POVI watched Arwyn sway in Jaggerâs arms, my eyes narrowing as I tracked every movement. She looked uncertain at first, her steps faltering as if unsure of the rhythm. But soon enough, she found her footingâquick to adapt, just as I knew she would. She always had a way of catching on, sharp-witted and capable. Or perhaps Iâm just a better teacher than I give myself credit for."How about we dance?" Soraâs voice broke through my thoughts as she clung to my arm, her nails digging into my coat, an uncomfortable reminder of her presence."Not quite," I muttered, barely paying attention as my gaze remained fixed on Arwyn. She was... captivating. The dress she wore was bold, a deep red that I would never have imagined on her. Yet, somehow, it suited her perfectlyâhugging every curve, from the fitted bodice down to the flowing hem that swayed with each step.Then there was the slitâhigh enough to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of her thigh as she moved. When Jagger dipped her low tow
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-09-10Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 49; The Rebels
ARWYN POVThe deafening sound from the ballroom confirmed itâthe 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 hadnât 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 anticipatedâch
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-09-11Hearts 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?"Thrystanâs 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.Peteâs 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."Iâd do it all over again," Thrystan growled, stepping forward.Peteâs grin widened, wicked and mocking. "Shame. You were my best fighter. I had plans for you, you know? Of course, I didnât realize you were the Prince." His eyes glittered with dark amusement. "If I had known, I wouldâve kil
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-09-12
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Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 69; Gone with the wind [ Last Chapter ]
THRYSTAN POVElariaâs words landed like a punch to the gut. For a moment, the world seemed to tilt, but I quickly shook my head, disbelief coursing through me."No," I said firmly, my voice low and dangerous. "Thatâs not possible.""Oh, itâs very possible," she sneered, enjoying the effect her words were having. "I got the information from the rebel in the dungeon. He told me everything. Two years ago, she led a heist at the Dragon Spire, and Nerysâour brotherâwas just collateral damage."I stared at her, my pulse pounding in my ears. This couldnât be true. It wasnât true."No," I repeated, more forcefully this time. "Arwyn couldnât have done that. She would neverâ""Wouldnât she?" Elaria interrupted, her voice dripping with venom. "Do you really know her, Thrystan? You think sheâs this poor, innocent girl from the slums, but sheâs been working with Pete Delitroy for years. Sheâs no stranger to blood. She killed Nerys, and now sheâs wormed her way into your heart, making you blind to t
Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 68; Secrets and Denial
THRYSTAN POVI stare at the letter of acceptance on the council room table, my eyes narrowing as my hands clench and unclench. He was really going to make me bury Arwyn. The words blurred before me, but the meaning was clearâFather had made his decision, and I was powerless to stop it."Donât look so surprised," Father muttered, swirling his wine with one hand, his right resting lazily on the arm of the throne. He turned slightly to glance out of the window, a casual indifference lacing his tone. "Iâm sure you mustâve seen this coming.""Sending her away to Reedridge? No," I replied, my voice sharp, my fists tightening at my sides."Oh, please, stop your whining." He rolled his eyes, sipping from his cup. "Reedridge is far better than living in the slums, working for a man like Pete Delitroy."I froze. How did he know about Pete? My mind raced, but I kept my face still, masking the rage boiling underneath the surface."Sora gave me a rather juicy bit of information," he continued, ste
Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 67; The Ghost
ARWYN POVI stood frozen, the weight of her words hitting me like a blow to the chest. My throat tightened, and I could barely breathe. The walls seemed to close in on me, and for a moment, the entire corridor felt like it was spinning.Nerys. She knows."Cat got your tongue?" Elariaâs voice dripped with amusement, like she was savoring every second of my fear. Her smile only grew more sinister. "Ah, I see. You're too struck to talk. Don't worry, I don't expect you to explain. Not after what I learned."I swallowed hard, forcing my body to remain still, but inside, panic clawed at me. How much did she know? How did she find out?Elaria took a step back, her arms crossed in front of her as she tilted her head slightly, watching me with the eyes of a hunter who had cornered her prey. "The rebel in the dungeon," she said smoothly. "Raith, was it? He had plenty to say once I worked a bit of magic on him. Poor boy. He didnât stand a chance against a Diremage."Her words sliced through me.
Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 66; Treason
ARWYN POVThe warmth of my chambers wraps around me like a comforting embrace, shielding me from the blistering cold outside. I wouldâve come in sooner, but Thrystan had the grand idea of starting a snowball fight. Despite my protests, I found myself laughing and joining in, thoroughly enjoying the moment.Letting out a deep sigh, I kick off my snow-covered boots, freeing my feet from the cold burden, and collapse onto my bed. Just as I begin to settle, a knock echoes at my door."Enter," I call, my voice muffled against the pillow.The door creaks open, and Ahviâs head peeks in, a smug smile playing on her lips. Her cheeks are flushed, either from too much wine or from an evening spent making out with Jagger. Likely both. She giggles as she shuts the door behind her and practically skips to my bed, flopping down beside me with a contented sigh.I glance down at her, amused. "You seem happy.""I am happy," she says, grinning mischievously. "Just had a full kissing session in the garde
Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 65; Winter Is Here
THRYSTAN POVArwynâs eyes widen as she stares at something behind me, and I turn to see Jagger stumbling through the trees, cursing under his breath as he tries to pick rose thorns from his clothes. Heâs swatting at them like an angry bear, completely oblivious to what heâs walking into. Then he looks up, eyes wide with shock as he takes in the sight of the two of us in the water.Of course.Without a second thought, I rise from the water, moving in front of Arwyn to shield her from Jaggerâs wandering eyes. No way Iâm letting him take a good look at her like this. The idiots always been a bit too casual with her for my taste, and right now, Iâm not in the mood for his nonsense.Jagger, however, bursts into laughter, his voice echoing through the trees. âWell, well, well! I didnât know this was the royal mating suite!ââGet lost, Jagger, right now,â I snap, trying to keep my voice steady, but the idiotâs too drunk to even notice the seriousness in my tone. Heâs swaying on his feet, bar
Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 64; The Spring
THRYSTAN POVArwyn looks uncertain as I help her through the trees, her eyes scanning the surroundings. I don't release her hand, holding it like letting go might cause her to slip away from me forever. Thereâs something fragile in this moment, something delicate between us that Iâm not ready to lose.âThese springs are beautiful, butâĶ you donât actually bathe out here, do you? Itâs so close to the palace grounds,â she muses, walking toward one of the pools, her fingers grazing the rocky edge. Thereâs a hesitant curiosity in her voice, a kind of innocence that makes me smile.âOh, I did,â I chuckle, following her. âThose were the good days.âShe laughs softly, the sound warming the air, but then she releases my hand, and I reluctantly let her go. âBut itâs not even warm,â she says, tilting her head back to gaze up at the star-strewn sky. Her brown hair cascades down her back like liquid gold, and the moonlight catches her features just right. âItâs hardly summer.âI grin, dipping my h
Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 63; Wildbane
ELARIA'S POVBrax hauls the boy onto the chair after loosening the ropes that had bound his hands and legs, leaving him sprawled out like a broken marionette. His limbs dangle lifelessly, as if the weight of the world had been too much for him to bear. I stand before him, my hands still humming with the remnants of magic, the air thick with the scent of sweat and fear.Sweat pours down his forehead, glistening in the dim torchlight, trailing down his temples like rivulets. His eyes, bloodshot and wide, dart around the room as if seeking an escape that doesnât exist. His lips tremble, the faintest whisper of a plea escaping them, though he knows better than to beg outright. Fear clings to him, wrapping around his soaked shirt that clings to his lean, trembling body.I take a step closer, my boots echoing ominously in the stone chamber, my gaze locked on him like a predator sizing up its prey. "Youâre holding up well," I remark, my voice smooth and cold, an unsettling contrast to the pa
Hearts and Ashes   Chapter 62; Feeble Denial
ELARIA POVThrystan has grown careless. He didn't cover his tracks well this time, nor did his little lover. After interrogating that rebel, he should have ended it swiftly. But now... now, I'm going to finish what he couldnât because Thrystan is a threat to himself and this loose end can be his undoing with father.Brax enters the palace stables, his figure cloaked in shadow, hood drawn low over his eyes, and gloved hands concealed in thick leather. He moves with the grace of a predator, always a step too close, too familiar."Apologies for being late, love," he says with a sly smile, leaning in to brush a kiss against my cheek.I pull back sharply, irritation flaring. "How many times have I told you to stop calling me that? Especially out hereâsomeone could hear."His face falls, disappointment flickering briefly in his eyes, but I donât let it soften me. I refuse to coddle him, not when we stand on such dangerous ground. Still, I lean in, pressing a quick kiss to the tip of his nos
Hearts and Ashes   Chaptee 61; Treason, even in Jest
ARWYN'S POVI sit in the dining hall, my hands gripping the edge of the table, knuckles pale. I can't keep still, shifting every few moments as I steal glances at the entrance. My stomach twists in knots, not from hunger, but from anxiety. Where is Daelan? My thoughts race as I wonder if the search for my sisters was successful last night. I don't think I can endure another day of waiting.The door creaks open, and I nearly jump out of my seat. My heart leaps into my throat when I see him. Daelan strides in, his posture calm and collected, but my heart quickens, searching for any sign of good news. As he approaches the breakfast table, my face lights up with a hopeful smile, unable to contain the emotion bubbling inside me. Without thinking, I spring to my feet and pull out a seat for him."Daelan," I say breathlessly, trying to hold back the flood of questions threatening to spill from my lips.He gives me a polite nod as he takes the seat, his eyes flickering with something I can't
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