All Chapters of Hearts and Ashes: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

ARWYNOne thing I knew for certain: the Prince did not like to lose. I had seen him throw tantrums and unleash his fiery temper when he didn't win a practice bout. To be fair, the only times he lost were when he faced two or more Embers at once.Never to just one opponent.Yet here we were, witnessing the impossible. Sir Sirius Black had beaten Prince Thrystan in a joust. The disbelief rippled through the crowd as the Prince flung his helmet to the ground, his frustration palpable. Gasps erupted from the audience, and I watched his curly hair, more disheveled than ever, fall around his face as he ran his hands through it in agitation. His dark brown locks tumbled wildly, mirroring the storm brewing within him.Sirius rode over, his horse trotting confidently. Without a moment's hesitation, Thrystan stretched out his hand, and a squire hurried to his side, presenting him with a sword. Its handle gleamed with gold, encrusted with purple stones that caught the sunlight. The crowd fell sil

ARWYN POV“You must love living in the countryside, my Lord,” Ahvi remarked to Lord Ezlyn Cromwell, her voice light and teasing.“Indeed, I do,” Cromwell replied, his tone steady, betraying nothing more than a simple truth.Ahvi chuckled, her fingers toying with the reins of her horse. “I can’t blame you. They say it’s quite charming out here. And your family owns countless ranches and grand estates, don’t they?”Lord Cromwell gave a curt nod. “You’ve heard correctly.”Their conversation drifted on, a melody of casual words, but I let my mind wander, refusing to be pulled into their banter. My attention remained fixed on the path ahead, every muscle taut, ready to react at the first sign of movement. Perhaps I would spot a deer, a mountain goat, or even a rabbit—some unsuspecting creature to claim as my prey.“Ease up on that bowstring, Balchor, or you’ll snap it in two,” Tristan’s voice cut through my focus. I glanced at him, catching the subtle curve of a smile at the edge of his li

ARWYN POVThe sun began to paint the sky in soft hues of pink and gold as we rode into the camp the next morning, the air still crisp with the lingering chill of night. The campfires from the previous evening had long since dwindled to embers, sending thin tendrils of smoke curling into the dawn air.Thrystan rode beside me, behind us, the deer hung from the back of my horse, its lifeless body swaying gently with each step.As we entered the camp, heads began to turn. Murmurs rose among the gathered hunters and soldiers even to the honourable guests, their eyes flicking from the deer to me, then to Thrystan. Some whispered behind cupped hands, others simply stared, but all wore expressions of curiosity—mixed with a touch of admiration.I felt the weight of their gazes, the hush that fell over the camp as we passed through, but I kept my head high, refusing to let it rattle me."Looks like we’ve caused a bit of a stir," Thrystan murmured under his breath, his lips curving into a sly sm

ARWYN POVThe gown fit perfectly, its silken fabric clinging to my waist like it was woven for this very moment. Leigh's face flushed a soft pink as she clasped her hands together, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she took in my appearance from head to toe."I always knew you’d look breathtaking in a ball gown," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I only wish Lilith could see you now."The smile on my lips faltered, the weight of our dire circumstances pressing heavily on my chest. The responsibility laid upon me was a burden I could not shake. The King had to die. It was the only way to save Lilith. Pete wasn't the sort of man who could be reasoned with—he was a force that crushed anything in his path.Leigh, sensing the shift in my mood, murmured softly, "You know, he always listened to you. Maybe… maybe you could talk to him. Make him see reason. Convince him to demand something else."A bitter laugh escaped me. "Marlon came to the palace a few nights ago. He thre

ARWYN POVThe deafening sound from the ballroom confirmed it—the plan was in motion. A plan meticulously scrawled on the parchment I'd entrusted to Leigh to deliver to Raith. I had my doubts, but Raith's talent for concocting strange, brightly-colored explosives was undeniable. The objective was simple: shake the nobles, rattle their perfectly polished world, and remind them they were not untouchable.Screams erupted, and I could feel the tension rippling through the palace. Noble lords and ladies would be scrambling, trying to maintain their dignity amidst the chaos. A part of me relished the thought of their arrogance crumbling like old stone under pressure.A part of me wished it hadn’t come to this. As much as I reveled in the chaos, I couldn't help but think of my friends, hoping they were safe. I spun on my heels, racing back toward the ballroom, my heart pounding in sync with the distant clashing of steel and shouts. The scene that greeted me was exactly as I had anticipated—ch