Updated: 11/03/2022 It takes a few days for these chapters to update. Please be patient. This rewrite it taking longer than expected. But I would rather give you quality over quantity.
To all my awesome readers, I watched the amount of people who have my book in their library go from 9 to 104. Today when I logged in I never expected that.It about made me cry, I did tear up though. It makes my heart full and I can't express how much it means to me. Being a writer is something I have always dreamed about and this was my first step while I talk to publishing houses about another fantasy trilogy I've been working on. Thank you all for supporting my work and my vision for my future.
~Nyx~ My groggy mind came into consciousness slowly. The room was pitch black and the manor was quiet. I moved only to wince when I did. All the memories of the day before started to flood back. My father beating me relentlessly over and over. It took me a bit of time and a lot of strength in order to sit up.I grimaced in pain as I sat up. My head was pounding and my throat felt dry. I slipped out of bed being careful to not reopen my now scabbing lash marks. I wasn’t sure how long I had been out. My back was caked with dried blood. I turned on the sink once I reached it and filled my cup. I remember how disgusting this water was but I didn’t have anything else at the moment. I gulped down the bitter liquid quickly to get over the taste. At least my throat would no longer feel like sandpaper anymore. Shortly after that I grabbed the small rag on the sink and cleaned as much of the dried blood as I could off my skin. I hissed when I accidently touched one of the marks on my back. Onc
~Nyx~ After who knows how many days in that small cramped room, guards came for me. I shrank myself back so they couldn’t hurt me. “Get up, we don’t want to have to manhandle you.” A guard spit out at me. I didn’t want them to touch me so I got up. Taking care to keep my eyes on the ground. I followed the guards out of the room and down several halls. I used my peripherals to see where we were. “Lady Josephine will be back tomorrow.” One of the guards said, drawing my attention to thier conversation. “Oh really? The true Lady of the house will be returning that soon?” The other guard responded with a smile “Yah, I missed seeing her beautiful face. I’m sure she’s only grown more beautiful since the last time. I heard Duke Noc is coming to officially court her.” The first guard said with sadness. This made my heart fall into my stomach. I didn’t think a man that I had put my trust into would marry into this horrendous family. A family I hated with all my being. Maybe the maid wh
~Noc~ “Wake up!” Thorn yelled, throwing a small rock at me. He was putting out the fire. To keep wildfires from ripping through the land every traveler ensured that they took the time to put out fires completely. I sat up stiffly, stretching and yawning. “Why are you always so grumpy and mean?” I asked him, rolling my shoulders. I watched him roll his eyes at me. Thorn had always had strong opinions on the way I acted. But it was only when we were alone so he could hop off. I smirked, getting up taunting his eye roll with my own. Thorn shook his head chuckling in minor annoyance. “Why are you like this?” He asked. But instead of an answer I just mocked his words back at him. This caused him to give me a tight lipped squint. I chuckled childishly at my action. “Come on, you child.” Thorn said, loading the horses before mounting his. I broke out in a large smile and did the same. We were close to the Marquess manor. And my impending fate to fool the Marquess. We rode in silence un
~Nyx~ Today is the day that Duke Noc will be here. I would be a liar if I said it wasn’t going to hurt to see him with Josephine. My time at his estate had caused me to grow fond of him. I guess I hadn’t realized my feelings for him until I heard of the proposed marriage between them. I got up as a maid who also didn’t care for me entered. She was a close friend of Ariel’s. Though she wasn’t verbal with her abuse but did small things to humiliate the one she picked on. Which tended to be me. If I remembered right her name was Brooke. I sat down in front of my vanity so Brooke could brush my hair. She ripped through my hair with the brush. Making my scalp ache and hurt but I bit my lip. I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of me being in pain. After ten grueling minutes she had braided my hair into a nice updo. Little stands of my wild hair fell in curls along the sides of my face. She helped me dress in a simple dress. It had a cream top and a red satin skirt that fell down to
-Nyx- The next couple of weeks were fairly uneventful. I was now allowed to leave my room on my own. But I made sure to stay out of the way of everyone. I didn't particularly want to see Duke Noc either. Him and my sister seemed to be hitting it off. He had bought her lavish gifts which he presented at dinner. ****Flashback**** I was sitting at dinner eating with my head down when Duke Noc cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention. Everyone looked at him as he stood and moved closer to my sister who was sitting across from him. My father was very strict on where everyone sat at the table. Loved ones always sat across from each other. The only exception was Ariel because she was not a noble by blood. "Lady Sparrow, my sweet Josephine, you are as radiant as the sun. As ethereal as the moon. You are the emerald of the earth. The sapphire of the seas. And the diamond of my eye." He said in a sickly sweet voice. One that was filled with adoration and something else I couldn't qu
-Nyx- I quickly strode to the house to wash myself for dinner. I was going to be late if I didn't hurry. And I knew my father would not be happy about that. Once in my room I washed my hands and face. Drying my face quickly I headed down stairs for dinner. I entered the dining room to see I was one of the last ones to arrive. Father's unruly gaze fixated on me. It was clear he was pissed but holding it in. He couldn't ruin his perfect reputation as the perfect man. He made the public thinking he was this loving doting father but that was far from the truth. Father gave me a warning glare before I took my seat. Once we were all seated the meal was called in. It was tomato basil soup tonight. One of my favorites, Yareha, made the best soup ever. My mouth watered as it was served. My father prayed before taking the first bite queuing that everyone else may eat now. I wasted no time grabbing some fresh baked bread from the many bowls in front of me. I dipped it in the soup before ginger
-Thorn- On the day of our arrival I did the worst possible thing. I knew I put her in harm's way when I did it. And I regretted it all too late. I only hoped my actions didn't make Nyx's treatment worse. ----FLASHBACK----- I followed the Marquess to his study after the formalities of Noc and Josephine were settled. I knew he hated me for making him do this but it was the best way. "Your Majesty, how can I help you?" The Marquess spoke as he took a seat in his chaise. I took a seat across from him with my arms crossed. "I think you know, how did Nyx get back here when she was staying with Duke Noc?" I said with more venom than I intended. The Marquess chuckled and tsked at me. "That's none of your concern, your majesty. I'm very disappointed that you didn't escort her back the moment you found out." He snapped back at me. I gritted my teeth at his response. The Marquess was brave to act this way toward me. "Actually it is." I boomed my anger getting the best of me. Damn me a
-Nyx- I woke up with a swollen face. I cried majority of the night. I would fall asleep but it never lasted long enough with all my tossing and turning. I felt exhaused, and my body hurt from my restlessness. As dawn broke I decide it was futile trying to sleep. I slipped out of my bed and headed for my shower. The words Noc had said kept echoing through my mind. I didn't understand any of it. He was engaged to my sister and he knew that I was not really sickly. He knew that my father invented that cover to hid what he had done. And yet he wanted her over me. He could have insisted that he wanted me. Instead of playing these games with my head. Between him and the crowned prince I felt like I was being tugged around like a rag doll. I wasn't something to play with. I shut off the water and stormed out to dress myself. I needed a walk in the garden. The walls of this manor made me feel as if I was suffocating. I quickly dressed in a simple dress. I prefered it this way anyway. All th
-Noc-A couple days had came and gone since my meeting with Thorn. Josephine had been suffocating recently and never left me long enough to talk to Nyx. It was very frustrating that she was always around. I was out for a stroll when I seen her rested against a tree. She look like an angel under it. I had to fight the urge to run up and hold her tight. She seemed deep in thought as I got closer her head whipped up to meet my eyes. I smiled warmly at her while she stared me down. "Lady Nyx have you been avoiding me?" I teased her making her cheeks warm. I wish she could see how cute she looked. "I would never Duke Noc." She stated matter of factly with a hidden smile. This made me chuckle. "I promise everything I'm doing will make sense one day. I'll see you at dinner Nyx." I winked before turning to leave. It took everything in me to not turn around. I entered the manpr and headed for the dining room. Majority of everyone was here now except Nyx. I only hoped her father didn't punis
-Noc- I couldn't take my eyes off of her, she was very beautiful. Thorn had sent me a letter a day after we arrived. It said we needed to talk soon. Since it was almost the end of the day so it would have to wait tomorrow. I settled into bed to go to sleep, I was going to be getting up pretty early tomorrow. I drifted off with her lovely face on my mind. ~Next Day~ I rised before the sun had even risen. Dressed in a dark gray cloak I slipped out of the manor and to the stables. The stable hand had my horse ready to go. I mounted her and kicked for her to run. She took off at a quick gait** toward the castle. The air was cool and the fog was heavy. I took in the fresh air. I felt like I was sufficating in that manor. The only one keeping me sane was Lady Nyx. As I entered the castle I halted and dismounted my horse handing her off to a palace stable boy. I entered the grand palace walking to the gardens that Thorn told me to meet him in. As I entered I seen him standing there in is
-Thorn- On the day of our arrival I did the worst possible thing. I knew I put her in harm's way when I did it. And I regretted it all too late. I only hoped my actions didn't make Nyx's treatment worse. ----FLASHBACK----- I followed the Marquess to his study after the formalities of Noc and Josephine were settled. I knew he hated me for making him do this but it was the best way. "Your Majesty, how can I help you?" The Marquess spoke as he took a seat in his chaise. I took a seat across from him with my arms crossed. "I think you know, how did Nyx get back here when she was staying with Duke Noc?" I said with more venom than I intended. The Marquess chuckled and tsked at me. "That's none of your concern, your majesty. I'm very disappointed that you didn't escort her back the moment you found out." He snapped back at me. I gritted my teeth at his response. The Marquess was brave to act this way toward me. "Actually it is." I boomed my anger getting the best of me. Damn me a
-Nyx- I quickly strode to the house to wash myself for dinner. I was going to be late if I didn't hurry. And I knew my father would not be happy about that. Once in my room I washed my hands and face. Drying my face quickly I headed down stairs for dinner. I entered the dining room to see I was one of the last ones to arrive. Father's unruly gaze fixated on me. It was clear he was pissed but holding it in. He couldn't ruin his perfect reputation as the perfect man. He made the public thinking he was this loving doting father but that was far from the truth. Father gave me a warning glare before I took my seat. Once we were all seated the meal was called in. It was tomato basil soup tonight. One of my favorites, Yareha, made the best soup ever. My mouth watered as it was served. My father prayed before taking the first bite queuing that everyone else may eat now. I wasted no time grabbing some fresh baked bread from the many bowls in front of me. I dipped it in the soup before ginger
-Nyx- The next couple of weeks were fairly uneventful. I was now allowed to leave my room on my own. But I made sure to stay out of the way of everyone. I didn't particularly want to see Duke Noc either. Him and my sister seemed to be hitting it off. He had bought her lavish gifts which he presented at dinner. ****Flashback**** I was sitting at dinner eating with my head down when Duke Noc cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention. Everyone looked at him as he stood and moved closer to my sister who was sitting across from him. My father was very strict on where everyone sat at the table. Loved ones always sat across from each other. The only exception was Ariel because she was not a noble by blood. "Lady Sparrow, my sweet Josephine, you are as radiant as the sun. As ethereal as the moon. You are the emerald of the earth. The sapphire of the seas. And the diamond of my eye." He said in a sickly sweet voice. One that was filled with adoration and something else I couldn't qu
~Nyx~ Today is the day that Duke Noc will be here. I would be a liar if I said it wasn’t going to hurt to see him with Josephine. My time at his estate had caused me to grow fond of him. I guess I hadn’t realized my feelings for him until I heard of the proposed marriage between them. I got up as a maid who also didn’t care for me entered. She was a close friend of Ariel’s. Though she wasn’t verbal with her abuse but did small things to humiliate the one she picked on. Which tended to be me. If I remembered right her name was Brooke. I sat down in front of my vanity so Brooke could brush my hair. She ripped through my hair with the brush. Making my scalp ache and hurt but I bit my lip. I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of me being in pain. After ten grueling minutes she had braided my hair into a nice updo. Little stands of my wild hair fell in curls along the sides of my face. She helped me dress in a simple dress. It had a cream top and a red satin skirt that fell down to
~Noc~ “Wake up!” Thorn yelled, throwing a small rock at me. He was putting out the fire. To keep wildfires from ripping through the land every traveler ensured that they took the time to put out fires completely. I sat up stiffly, stretching and yawning. “Why are you always so grumpy and mean?” I asked him, rolling my shoulders. I watched him roll his eyes at me. Thorn had always had strong opinions on the way I acted. But it was only when we were alone so he could hop off. I smirked, getting up taunting his eye roll with my own. Thorn shook his head chuckling in minor annoyance. “Why are you like this?” He asked. But instead of an answer I just mocked his words back at him. This caused him to give me a tight lipped squint. I chuckled childishly at my action. “Come on, you child.” Thorn said, loading the horses before mounting his. I broke out in a large smile and did the same. We were close to the Marquess manor. And my impending fate to fool the Marquess. We rode in silence un
~Nyx~ After who knows how many days in that small cramped room, guards came for me. I shrank myself back so they couldn’t hurt me. “Get up, we don’t want to have to manhandle you.” A guard spit out at me. I didn’t want them to touch me so I got up. Taking care to keep my eyes on the ground. I followed the guards out of the room and down several halls. I used my peripherals to see where we were. “Lady Josephine will be back tomorrow.” One of the guards said, drawing my attention to thier conversation. “Oh really? The true Lady of the house will be returning that soon?” The other guard responded with a smile “Yah, I missed seeing her beautiful face. I’m sure she’s only grown more beautiful since the last time. I heard Duke Noc is coming to officially court her.” The first guard said with sadness. This made my heart fall into my stomach. I didn’t think a man that I had put my trust into would marry into this horrendous family. A family I hated with all my being. Maybe the maid wh