All Chapters of Hearts and Ashes: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

ARWYNBlend in. The plan is to blend in until the opportunity to leave this place presents itself at the Sun Ball. The palace will be crowded with royal guests, the festivals will capture everyone’s attention, and no one will notice one tiny Ember missing.My eyes stray to Thrystan, who fixes a steely gaze on me. He might be the only problem, always so interested in my affairs. But hopefully, everyone will be relieved with me gone, especially Sora.I could sneak a horse from the stables, arrange everything beforehand, and then ride out of the palace, back to Wyrm, and then to Ketel to meet Kale before anyone realizes I'm gone. They won’t be able to trace me again.The Sun Ball will be a swirl of opulence and distraction—glittering gowns, flowing wine, and conversations laced with intrigue. The perfect cover. I imagine the courtyard teeming with laughter and music, the air thick with the scent of exotic flowers and spices. Amidst the chaos, I'll slip away unnoticed.In the stables, I c

THRYSTAN It was as if the Ember herself had granted me this moment as an act of providence. A divine twist of fate, giving me the sheer will to ask whatever I want from the very woman who had haunted my thoughts relentlessly, day and night. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner—Arwyn was always there, a constant presence in my mind.Her face looked as though she had just struck a deal with the devil, a detail that inexplicably brought a gleeful smile to my face. If you had told me an hour ago that I’d have this opportunity, my mind would have raced through a thousand things I wanted from her. But now, standing here and staring into those ocean-blue eyes, I was rendered speechless, my smile fading.“Well,” she said, wrinkling her nose, “what do you want?”I blinked rapidly, my hands slipping from her waist as she pulled away almost instantly, as if I were a vermin. Maybe I was.“Allow me a minute to savor this moment, would you?” I covered up my speechlessness with a wry smile. Pushing away fro

THRYSTAN We pull our horses to a stop in front of the Wreath, a modest tavern with weathered wooden walls and a sign creaking in the wind. The stable boy, a scrawny lad with dirty blonde hair, scurries over to collect them. Arwyn grips his shoulder, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Up to no good, are you, Willy?"The boy giggles and squirms under her arm until he finally breaks free, or she lets him go. With a mischievous grin, he hands her a small brown pouch, which she quickly slips behind her back, tucking it into her belt. As she adjusts her cloak, I catch sight of my dagger tucked there as well.She's been carrying it around this whole time?"Haven't seen you in days," Willy says, his eyes twinkling. "Thought the goons got you, but you look well." His gaze shifts to me, and he gasps, eyes wide with excitement. "And you came here with Death-roll! Are you two friends?" He bounces on his toes, as if he's just uncovered a grand revelation."What?" Arwyn asked, her eyes narrowing i

ARWYN"I hate to cut you two lovebirds off from your chattering," Pete growled, rising to his feet. He brushed off his hairy coat, his eyes narrowing dangerously as they locked onto me."You really want to prove yourself worthy?" he asked, his voice low and menacing. My heart pounded violently in my chest. I knew what he was going to say, and I knew I couldn't do it. Killing Thrystan was out of the question. He was the prince, and the King would come after me—not just me, but everyone I held dear. Leigh and Lilith would be in danger too. I shook my head, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on me. Pete's eyes hardened, his lips curling into a sneer."Little Lamb," he taunted, stepping closer."Just let him go, please. We don't want any trouble," I begged, my voice strained as I backed away from Thrystan. I turned to face him, and the confusion in his haunting golden eyes was almost too much to bear. So many questions swirled there, unspoken but clear."You need to trust me an

THRYSTANThe tension in the room was suffocating, each second stretching into eternity. I could see the doubt flickering in Mother’s eyes and the silent plea in Elaria’s to not defy Father any more than I already had.Father rose from his throne, his face stoic, but before he could say a word, the doors to the throne room swung open with a creak. Lieutenant Julian entered, his imposing figure cutting through the tension. His armor clinked softly with each step, and the stern set of his jaw indicated that he brought serious news."The court has gathered, Your Majesty," Julian announced, his voice firm. "They are waiting for you and the prince."Father sighed, his gaze shifting from me to the general. "Very well. We will attend to the court shortly." He turned back to me, his eyes cold and calculating. "This matter is not resolved, Thrystan. You will accompany me to the court because we have important matters to tend to, and we will deal with the fallout from your actions afterwards."W