All Chapters of Hearts and Ashes: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

THRYSTANI'm puzzled. Why did she flee like that? Standing amidst the bustling crowd, her brown locks vanish before my eyes. With determination, I dash after her into the labyrinth of streets, but she moves like a shadow, slipping through alleys with familiarity. She knows these streets better than I; she's vanished without a trace.Returning to the dress shop hoping to find her sister, I'm met with an empty storefront. They've both disappeared, leaving me dumbfounded. I can't believe I've lost her once again. Desperate, I resort to bribery, coaxing Clover into helping me track her down. It feels invasive, but Elaria's warning echoes in my mind, urging me to steer clear of the Wreath and avoid arousing suspicion from Father.Three days pass in anticipation. I needed to see her again, but without venturing into the perilous depths of the Wreath, stalking becomes my only recourse.Two guards snap to attention as I approach, their salute crisp and formal. "The brigands are being transport

ARWYNI spent the entire night tossing and turning on the expansive queen-sized bed, a luxury I hadn't experienced in years. The room was a haven of opulence, filled with every conceivable comfort within arm's reach.As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the ornate curtains, I rolled to the edge of the bed, greeted by the sight of two doves playfully chirping outside my window. Their carefree antics stirred a longing within me, a desire to escape this gilded cage and return to the familiar chaos of Wyrm.Thoughts of Pete and the looming consequences of my absence plagued my mind. What would he think when I failed to show up for work? Would he assume I'd abandoned him, leaving Leigh and Lilith vulnerable to his wrath? The uncertainty gnawed at me.My reverie was abruptly interrupted by the creak of the door as a maid entered, her youthful smile lighting up the room. She couldn't have been much older than me, her light brown hair pulled back in a tidy bun as she greeted me with

ELARIA My life felt like a monotonous play stuck on repeat, a relentless loop. Each morning began with the routine of being attended to by two maidservants, preparing for the day ahead. Breakfast with my parents was merely a formality, where I existed as nothing more than an ornament in these hollowed halls. Tea with Mother followed, adding to the dull procession of palace wanderings as if I hadn't already explored every corner of it. Yet amidst the suffocating sameness, there was one glimmer of purpose—a secret training regimen with Brax, Thrystan's trainer. It was the only aspect of my existence that felt meaningful and different from the mundane routine. However, it was imperative that no one discovered the truth. No one could know about the covert meetings that occurred three times a week, nor about the telltale signs of muddy dresses and boots from our training sessions. And above all, the forbidden secret that Brax had become more than just a trainer—he had become my confidant

ARWYNThe table erupted into a cacophony of laughter and banter between Kyle, Jagger, and Ahvi. I couldn't help but notice Thrystan's stoic demeanor amidst the revelry. He simply gripped his goblet tightly, taking a measured sip as if detached from the joviality surrounding him. My gaze lingered on him, observing his every move with keen interest."Anyone caught your eye for the ball, your highness?" I quipped, my tone dripping with sarcasm.His eyes locked with mine, and if looks could kill, I'd be six feet under. Clearly, my remark didn't sit well with him. Perhaps he wasn't accustomed to being on the receiving end of rejection, but seeing him squirm brought me an unexpected sense of satisfaction.Before Thrystan could respond to my question, Ahvi interjected, her tone playful. "He's going with Sora, as always. It's always Sora," she remarked with a knowing smile, causing my gaze to shift back to Thrystan, who suddenly seemed fascinated by the pattern on his cup. Sora's attempt to h

LEIGHSweat pooled on my forehead as I worked the old rag over the worn-out wooden counter of the rustic, dimly lit pub, scrubbing away the sticky ale stain.It’s always like this every evening. The smell of ale thick in the air. Clean, serve. Engage in meaningless conversations with intense regulars who just want to talk about the weather to sneak a peek at my cleavage.I’ve been working at the Glory Rivet for years now. While the routine fueled my determination to work well and earn good money, for the past three days, all I could think about was Arwyn's absence.Arwyn was taken away to the palace. I can’t stop replaying that night in my head, merging it with the night my parents were taken away from me and Lilith.Arwyn's leaving was less gruesome because she's still alive. My parents fought to stay with their children and lost their lives doing so. For all I know, Arwyn is probably living it up in the palace.Has she made new friends? Is she excelling? Befriending a guy? No, she wo