The ShriekYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe Hall, PalaceAltsasKyanI LEAVE Isla IN ROSA'S care asking the maid to get her out of the wet dress and tuck her in but the stubborn girl refuses and says that after her has changed, she will be back to the party.If Rosa thinks it is strange that Isla is wet and shivering and I brought her into the room in my arms, then she doesn't show or say it.She curtseys respectfully at our arrival and my departure. Now sitting next to my drunk sister, I wish I had remained in the orchard with Isla. I don't know what spell she placed on me at the river but I'll try to evade it next time, if there will be a next time. I told her w
The FigurinesYear of the RosesFloral SeasonLysia's bedroomAltsasLyzaTHE IVORY FIGURINES ARE A GIFT from Lud so I put them into the basket and push them under my bed. The figurines are very beautiful, each one with it's peculiar and intricate design. They are five of them; five nude females with different patterns craved into their skin. They all had huge breasts and fat thighs and wide empty eyes that stare at nothing. If my mother or Isla see anything wrong with my so-called fiance giving me such a gift, they don't utter a word about it. The figurines haunt me, their lifeless eyes taunt me that's why I hide them from my sight.My mother had delivered the figurines this morning after breakfast. She held the box w
The FallYear of the RosesFloral SeasonVillage of ByninAltsasMavliI HAVEN'T SLEPT in almost two weeks. Each time I close my eyes, I see him. Not the taskmaster, I've killed the bloody bastard in my dreams. But Cirok. It hurts and it's painful that I'll never get to see him again. I can't believe that our love was not given a chance to blossom.That night of our escape keeps swirling in my mind, tumbling over my thoughts. If only I had known that I would lose him I would have held on to him tighter, kiss him deeper. I won't have let him sit beside me on the horse. And when he fell I left him, I left him just like how that coward Cerric did.The ring gleams on my finger. I swear I feel it warm u
The FireYear of the RosesFloral SeasonVillage of ByninAltsasMavliI TUCK THE POUCH and matchbox Ghost gave me and mount the mare that Cirok stole for us. He didn't say what it was, just that it is a lethal concoction that can put a whole village on fire if used wisely. A shiver ran down my spine as he tossed it to me and grinned showing me yellow teeth. I wonder how Rhani knew this guy. And I wonder how he even got the 'lethal concoction'.The mare — Hijar, which means messenger of death in Kintilese — snorts as we reenter the forest. I pat her head, leaning on her neck and wrapping my hands around her. It took us mere hours to arrive at the village when we were making our escape and I wonder why the securit
The VialYear of the RosesFloral SeasonLysia's bedroomAltsasLyzaISLA BUSTLES INTO MY ROOM with a frantic look on her face. Her sandals slapping noisily on the floor and the skirt of the dress flouncing."Lyza! Lyza!"She runs to my bed. "Lyza you have to come now, Rosa asked me to call you. It's your father and Lud—""Lud?!" I jolt upright and push back the blankets. "What's going on, Isla?""I can't tell you, you have to come and see. Rosa has made a shocking discovery!" And she grabs me by the wrist and takes me out of my room. I don't mind tha
The BudYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe OrchardAltsasIslaI DON'T KNOW why Lyza brought me here. She refuses to say a word to me about anything. I know the events of yesterday has taken a toll on her. She stands by the bank of the river and does nothing.I don't mention the hunger pangs that plagues me or the fact that I'm suffering from an insufferable headache, I don't want to bother her.She barged into my room this morning as she usually does and whisked me away before I could go to the dining room for breakfast.Spinning on her heels to look at me, she grins. "What is going on with you and my broth
The RoseYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe OrchardAltsasIslaWORDS IN MY THROAT are trapped in a bubble. I struggle to form something coherent but all I come up with are stutters. Ross steps back, fright marring her features. "I was just—""Rosa isn't going to be my maid after we marrying because I'm going to be staying in your room, right?" The words come out in a jumble, I don't think it through.Kyan's eyes darts at Rosa's face and then mine. "I suppose," he says suspiciously."I have delivered the food, your Majesty." Rosa curtseys and turns to leave.
The ThunderYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe OrchardAltsasIslaI TRY TO STEADY my breathing. And what if he knows what I'm doing? He was the one who suggested running to me only days ago. My fists clench and unclench at my sides. "What do you think I'm doing?"He shakes his head slowly not answering my question. "You are not coming with me, Isla.""Why do you care?" I hiss out. "Why shouldn't I come? You not wanting me to come is not a real reason.""It is," he licks his lip, "I don't want to be held responsible for what will happen." He hesitates, "the old man is looking forward to this, okay? We