All Chapters of Hearts and Ashes: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

THRYSTAN POVEven from the hallway, I could hear Father's voice, commanding and sharp, as it echoed through the stone walls. Tonight had taken a turn no one could have anticipated, least of all me.Arwyn brought Pete here. I can’t wrap my mind around it. Maybe she did it to save her sisters, but there's something more, something unspoken between us. She could have come to me. I would’ve helped her, protected her, but she chose another path.The heavy oak doors creak open, pushed by the guards, and I step into the grand chamber. The Council men are seated, their expressions grave. My uncle stands near the hearth, while my mother sits beside him, tense and pale. High-ranking guests, including Soras’s father, linger in the shadows, whispering among themselves."Thrystan," Father calls from the head of the table, his voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade."Your Grace," I reply, stepping forward with Elaria at my side, her presence quiet but steady."Good. You're safe," Father say

ARWYN POVThe ladies of the Ember sat for a late dinner that night, their chatter subdued after the chaos at the Sun Ball. The men were busy patrolling the castle grounds, the woods, and the roads leading to Wyrm, ensuring Pete's men were nowhere near. His attack had caused quite a stir—more than I had planned for. I had wanted a distraction, but I never expected Pete would aim for the Ember itself. His ambitions were more dangerous than I had anticipated."Arwyn helped to save the evening," I heard Ahvi say, pulling me from my thoughts. "I heard from Kyle that she predicted the leader of the rebel would be heading for the Ember's nest."Whispers of surprise and admiration spread around the table. I remained quiet, feeling their gazes on me like a weight."How could she possibly know that?" Sora’s voice cut through the praise, her fingers delicately twisting the stem of her goblet. The smug smile on her face was unmistakable.There she was—always finding a way to turn admiration into

* chapter glossary * + Aetherium— hospital or clinic + Teldrin — DoctorARWYN'S POVChaos reigned in the Aetherium. Servants rushed up and down, the slap of their footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls as they carried buckets of water. The healers moved frantically, doing all they could to revive the stricken. The once quiet halls of the palace now felt like a battlefield against an unseen enemy.The Plague had swept through the palace like a thief in the night, its reach swift and merciless. Guards, servants—no one was safe. Already, some had fallen to its grasp, and the rest waited in fear, their faces pale with the certainty that death lingered nearby.I tied a strip of cloth around my nose and mouth before stepping into the Aetherium, clutching a bucket of water. The air was heavy with the acrid stench of vomit and decay, thick enough to cling to the skin. The torches, dimly flickering against the walls, cast long shadows across the stone floor, making the scene even mo

ARWYN'S POVI found Thrystan standing in the deserted palace garden, fully armored—leather kilt, gloves, boots, and gleaming shoulder and knee pads. How did he know I’d be here? Ever since discovering this hidden corner of the palace, known as the Spring Palace, it had become my refuge. A quiet place to think, to reflect. This was where I shared my first dance with Thrystan, no music but the birds and the rustling trees. He told me to use nature as our maester."There you are," he said with a boyish smile, strolling down the stone steps, adjusting his gloves as he came closer.I raised a brow, casting a glance at his armor. "Oh no, don’t tell me we’re at war already," I muttered sarcastically, my lips curling into a half-smile.His chuckle was deep and familiar, like the echo of distant thunder. "Not yet," he teased. "I’m going dragon riding, and I need you to come with me."The words made my heart skip a beat. His eyes gleamed with the kind of mischief I knew well."You’re joking," I

THRYSTAN POVThe throne room was grand and imposing, as always, but tonight, its grandeur felt like a heavy shroud pressing down on me. The vaulted ceilings stretched endlessly overhead, cold stone walls lined with flickering sconces casting long shadows across the room. The flickers of torchlight did nothing to warm the place. It was always a stark contrast to the rest of the palace, but now it seemed particularly oppressive, as if the very air within these walls weighed more than it should.The King sat on his towering throne at the far end of the room, the coldness of his blank expression mirrored the unforgiving stone surrounding us. His eyes, sharp as ever, locked onto mine as I approached. No hint of emotion flickered across his features; just a steady, piercing gaze that silently commanded me forward.The guards flanked me as I strode toward him, the sound of my boots echoing on the polished stone floor. I could feel their eyes on me, but the King's silence held more weight tha