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Chapter Eleven: The hurt we hide
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Kindle Chapter Twelve: What we forbid
BailaI was anxious.It was not a new feeling neither was it uncommon to me. In fact, I could not remember ever going more than a week in my life without the usual feeling of anxiety gnawing at my chest and causing me to sweat like the sun was right above my head.I paced the room, biting my nails as I waited for Sara to come to me. I had a vague idea of what the consequences of both I and Sara’s actions were. I understood Nolan’s anger but still, I hoped he would be lenient with Sara.I could still feel the discomfort I had endured when Aaron walked me to my room minutes ago. He had not said a word to me which was normal but what wasn’t normal was the tension in his stance, the way his jaw ticked with worry and annoyance every time I tripped on the way back to the castle and the fact that he had not glared at me like he usually did. I found it strange and disorienting.I shook my head.Aaron’s strange behavior was not important at the moment. My pressing concern was Sara and Nolan’s
Kindle Chapter Thirteen: A dagger to the heart
BailaI waitedNot because I had to but because I wanted to.The castle bell had rung for midnight and Sara had not come to see me yet. I wondered if it was because Sara was angry with me or because she was not yet back from the tavern..I should not have gone to the lake. I should have offered to stay in the apothecary with Sara and watch her grind her herbs but instead, we had gone swimming.Naked.I told herself that I only wanted to give Sara the due respect by bidding her farewell before I made my escape. Yes. That was simply it. It was not because I wanted to see the red haired woman again or embrace her and tell how much I would miss her.No.I was simply being respectful by waiting.A few minutes past minute, I decided to damn my respect and leave. My chances of escaping were growing slimer by the minute and as much as I wanted to, I could not afford to wait anymore. I walked towards my bedroom window, the one that faced the very tree Samani had told me about.Even as I climbed
Kindle Chapter Fourteen: The king’s truth
NolanI was angry.It was not something that happened often and even when it did, I had control.This time however, things were different. I was angry and did not know what to do. My last bit of control had slipped when I went to see Baila.The way she had defended Sara…….I shook my head, pouring myself some wine and taking a seat behind my table. There were a lot of things to do. Urgent matters. I had to get a hold of myself, I had to find my control. I downed the wine too quickly, clearing my throat as the burn spread through my chest.That damned witch was driving me to madness.I gripped the goblet tighter.What had she been thinking? Swimming naked and unguarded? I wondered if maybe I had been too hard on her and Sara.I was sorry about the gap that had grown bigger between Sara and I after my parents died. I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was protecting the ones I loved by distancing myself from them. I was a king with many enemies and rivals who would do anyt
Kindle Chapter Fifteen: A Curse from the Past
Nolan13years agoIt was going to be a great day. A grand affair filled with joy and all the food I could eat. My mother, Queen Ariadne, had promised me that for my eleventh birthday, the entire kingdom would be in attendance. People would travel from far and wide, bringing gifts. And honestly, it was the gifts that excited me the most. I couldn’t wait to unwrap them all. The thought alone made me giddy.I sprinted down the hallways, greeting everyone I passed—maids, guards, and anyone else who crossed my path. They’d all be there to celebrate with me. Their smiles and laughter echoed behind me as I rushed toward my parents’ quarters. The room was empty, just as I’d guessed it would be.Earlier, Aaron, my best friend and the son of Beta Carmine, the captain of the guards, told me there was a meeting happening between my parents and his father. I decided it was the perfect time to pull a little surprise. They’d never see it coming. Grinning to myself, I crawled under their bed, making
Kindle Chapter Sixteen: An Enemy At The Gate
Nolan I watched as Aaron’s face went blank. His emerald green eyes glazed over, turning that familiar creamy shade whenever someone mindlinked him. By the tension in his posture, fists clenched tight, I knew it wasn’t good news."What’s wrong?" I asked, my patience thinning. I hated not knowing what was happening."It was Rue," Aaron muttered, his voice tight as he referred to his right-hand man, and if Rue had something to say that made Aaron look like this, it couldn't be good. I felt my stomach churn. "What is it?""It’s Salem," Aaron said, swallowing hard. "He’s here."Salem. My jaw tightened at the mere mention of his name. "And what does he want?" I snapped, feeling the familiar rise of anger burn through me. "He brought Baila."My mind raced. "Baila’s locked in her room. I’ve had guards posted there. She..." My voice faltered for a second before the anger took over. "I warned her. I warned her what would happen if she tried to escape!" I slammed my fist into the desk, feelin
Kindle Chapter Seventeen: The Friend We Searched For
Baila"You know Nolan?" Salem asked, his voice low as he walked me back to the castle. "How do you know him?"I froze, my muscles tightening as I fought to keep my expression neutral. I couldn’t let anything slip. I didn’t know Salem well enough to trust him with the truth about who I really was or how I knew Nolan. Still, he had saved my life, and I knew I owed him something. But not this."Sara, the royal physician, is my friend," I lied, my voice steady though my cheeks warmed against the cold air. "I’m a dancer from a nearby village. I ran out of money, and Sara offered to help."Salem hummed softly, eyes flickering with suspicion. "Sara? I’ve met many of her dancer friends over the years, but never you." His red eyes had darkened to black now, leaving behind an unsettling emptiness."You know Sara?" I tried to sound casual, but inside, my heart pounded. I silently begged him to accept the story and drop the questions. I was already in deep trouble with Nolan; I didn’t need more c
Kindle Chapter Eighteen: What Ruined The Trio
BailaMy muscles ached as I stretched them out. My throat was a little sore and scratchy. I sighed, rubbing my eyes as I frowned at my comfortable position on the bed. The last thing I remembered from the previous night was sitting against the door as I waited for Nolan to leave before I could fall asleep.I did not remember getting into bed.The persistent pounding on my door grated my nerves.It was most likely Nolan. He was here to serve me more threats and warnings and tell me how stupid I had been for escaping. I would agree with him on the last part. It had been stupid of me to escape especially with no plan in mind.The pounding persisted, getting louder by the minute. I gritted my teeth, throwing the sheets aside and storming to the door. As much as I was ready to keep my mouth shut and swallow whatever bitter pill was coming my way, it was too early. The sun was barely even shining.I unlocked the door, throwing it open with an unnecessary amount of force.“What?” I hissed. M
Kindle Chapter One: The same crime
BailaI ran through the forest, my bare feet crunching on dead leaves and branches. From a distance, I could hear the barking dogs assisting the guards in the hunt.The hunt for me.I ducked behind a tree when I found nowhere to hide. I tried to slow my breathing as I wrapped my hand around my necklace and prayed. With tears in my eyes, I lifted my head to the skies.The moon was covered by thick dark clouds. It would rain soon and the dogs would not be able to catch my scent, but I was afraid that the rain would make it difficult for me to escape. What had I done?I had been sent here to change things, to be a difference. Every last witch in the world was counting on me, and I had let them all down. I had done worse than disappoint them; I had repeated the same crime that started the witch hunt—a tradition I could have easily put an end to by winning the bride trials and marrying the high prince.When I closed my eyes, I could still see the horrified look on Ayesha's face.Ayesha!I
Latest chapter
Kindle Chapter Eighteen: What Ruined The Trio
Kindle Chapter Seventeen: The Friend We Searched For
Kindle Chapter Sixteen: An Enemy At The Gate
Kindle Chapter Fifteen: A Curse from the Past
Kindle Chapter Fourteen: The king’s truth
Kindle Chapter Thirteen: A dagger to the heart
Kindle Chapter Twelve: What we forbid
Kindle Chapter Eleven: The hurt we hide
Kindle Chapter Ten: The witch who betrayed us
