Lyra's POV:Later that night I sneaked out of the room and went to the library.When I got inside I turned around trying to make sure the door was perfectly closed.“How have you been?” A familiar voice asked out of the blue.I turned around and I was shocked to see Xander stitted on the sofa.He looked tired and worn out, he looked linner than usual and he was staring at me deeply.“I have been good.” I replied. “Were you treated badly over there?” I asked but he continued to stare.“Is there a problem? Why do you keep looking at me that way?”“I can't take my eyes off you, Lyra. You look beautiful.” He replied.I was surprised, I expected him to have gotten a reality check by now. But here he was, spewing rubbish.“You need to stop this, you are only making things harder for the both of us.” I replied.“While I was away, I grew scared. Not because I feared losing my life or my position. But because I couldn't imagine a life without you. I wished that I could tell you how I genuinely
Thalia's POV:I lay down on my bed, face down. I was frustrated. Everything that unfolded earlier at the garden left me stunned.I couldn't believe my mother lashed out like that,And as for Xander, it seemed as though he had no desire to engage with me, his gaze seemed cold and distant."You ought not to be upset with me, child." Mother said softly as she took her seat beside me.“I am not vexed, merely confused.” I replied. “Why did Xander appear so disinterested? He did not even try to acknowledge your presence." I sighed, I suddenly recalled Lyra's words, she often urged me to hasten my training and secure Xander as my mate, lest the distance between us would widen beyond repair.“I must disclose something to you, Thalia,” Mother began, she sounded worried. “Before you were born, when Talon was but a young child, your father uncovered a most startling truth: he was fated to two mates. The other was a young and comely seamstress. By the time I learned of your father’s infidelity, i
Lyra's POV:A few days past, I dreamt of my life within the walls of the Orphan Home, before I fled and found myself in the city of Zurik.In those days, I was but a child, scarcely ten years of age. The harshness of the Orphan Home had grown unbearable, and so, I came up with a plan for escape.TEN YEARS AGO: On the Fourth Day of the Eighth Month in the Year 1737.AT: St. Modera’s Orphan Home in Corvin.“Why are you still awake, Lyra? You must retire to bed before Elder Syriana finds you.” Elisar Cautioned.Elisar had been like a sister to me since the day I first learned to walk. She had always cared for me, being the eldest among us, while I was the youngest.“I’m devising a plan.” My small voice answered.“What plan?” She asked, stepping closer.“An escape plan.” I whispered, crouched upon the cold floor of the children’s room. A piece of charcoal in my hand, I scribbled on a scrap of newspaper, forming words and blurry diagrams.“Have you lost your mind, Lyra? Do you wish to be b
Lyra's POV:Leaving the Orphan Home I found myself on the streets of Corvin. I roamed around during the day, begging for food and plucking fruits in the forests. At night I slept under a bridge where other homeless children and beggars slept.Luckily, I came across Ma-Elora. She was a local seamstress who had no children, she was abandoned by her husband because of her inability to have a child.Ma-Elora took a liking to me, she took me in as a young apprentice. She was like a mother I never had, but things took a turn for the worse when she began to get losses, she barely made sales, or had customers.I had merely worked with her for two weeks when the losses began, so she blamed it all on me. She called me Bad Luck, and from then on the maltreatment started.My life was once again made a living hell, but regardless it couldn't be compared to my rough life at The Orphan Home.One night, while I was in a light slumber. I heard noises emanating from Ma-Elora’s room.I slowly crept out
Lyra's POV:The next morning, Ma-Elora sent me out as usual to get some materials from the Town Square. So I grabbed the opportunity to run away, once again.Getting to the Towns Square, I roamed around trying to find a way out of town. When I stumbled upon a group of men engaging in a discussion. Apparently these men were wine distributors who were to distribute barrels of wine to several locations two of which were Zurik and Joaska.The other locations the other distributors were heading to was quite far and it would be too tedious to travel in a wagon.I couldn't decipher which one belonged to whom, so I sat down not too far from them and listened to every single thing they said, in order to know the wagon to hide in.I overheard a man called Ove. Say that his wagon heading to the King's house Joaska contained nearly eight barrels because the King's wife recently had a child and he would be needing much wine to celebrate.There was a wide smile on my face as he spoke. I immediately
Lyra's POV: I couldn't recall how many times I roamed about in the Garden, Lady Blackstorm and Queen Aria were overseeing Thalia's training. Which meant that I had been idle all day, and I was fed up. I grew tired of being out of work, so I made a decision. Havoc usually painted in the Storage House at this time, so I planned to go there and watch him paint. Although I would still be idle, at least my boredom would be cured. Getting to the Storage House I discovered that Havoc was not there, so I decided to go in a little deeper. ‘He might have gone further.’ I thought. I was about to take a step forward heading further inside when I heard someone say. “You and my brother have grown quite close.’ Turning around I wasn't exactly surprised to see Xander standing a few feets away from me. It seemed to be a usual norm of his to come up at me from behind. “He considers me a friend.” I replied, stari
Thalia's POV: I was extremely happy, my training went perfectly well today. Unlike usual Lady Blackstorm was not as cold and uninviting as she has always been. She actually praised me, she commended my efforts. Today was literally the best day of my life, which would soon change to be the day I wed Xander. Although she may have praised me because Mother was present, I still felt extremely happy to be praised for once. After my training the first thing that I did was search for Lyra. I needed to share the good news, she would be the happiest. I know Mother has warned me about her, or rather she has warned me to rid myself of her. But I won't be able to, Lyra has been with me since the very beginning. And I wasn't going to turn my back on her now. I made a decision last night, instead of spilling Lyra's blood, it was best to send her away from Joaska. Probably send her back to Zurik. I even told Mother abo
Thalia's POV:“Are you not going to say anything, Xander? Why were the both of you standing so close?” I asked, my eyes darting from Xander to Lyra.‘I needed an answer.’“Well, I came here in search of my brother and I stumbled upon Lyra, who was also in search of him. I was questioning her about her reasons for calling out for my brother so casually. When I noticed that my Royal Bracelet got caught up in her. I had to step close to pull it out carefully, without any pearls falling off.” Xander explained. “As you can see, there are a few strands of her hair still stuck on my bracelet.” He said, as he lifted his right hand to show me the strands of hair that were stuck on his bracelet.The hair did look a lot like Lyra's, but I was still suspicious of them. I had so many questions to ask in my head.One of which was: “Why did you get close to her in the first place? To have your bracelet caught up in her hair.”But then, I wasn't going to question him further. I will end it here, for