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Chapter 12; Trouble At Night
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Hearts And Ashes Chapter 13; Breakfast With the Embers
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
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 14; Fiery Chaos
ARWYNRivulets of sweat trickled down my forehead, painting a glistening trail against my skin under the relentless assault of the scorching sun. Today, its rays seemed particularly merciless, intent on turning me into a walking fountain of perspiration. With a frustrated sigh, I attempted to corral my unruly locks into a semblance of order, only for them to rebelliously spring free from my makeshift bun, framing my face in a tangle of damp tendrils.Grasping a handful of water from a nearby bucket, I hurled it onto the sun-baked ground in a futile attempt to quench the thirst of the parched earth. Surveying the bustling training square, I observed my fellow Embers engaged in a variety of activities, from rigorous drills to lighthearted banter. The square seemed to pulse with energy, "Ever tried the punching pole? It's great for blowing off steam," a voice called out from behind me.Turning, I found myself face to face with Daelan, the same blond boy who had offered me guidance at bre
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 15; A Fucking Loop
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
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 16; A Blessed Dinner
ARWYNTonight's dinner was quite the departure from our usual morning routine. Instead of our cozy breakfast nook, we found ourselves ushered into a grand hall adorned with luxurious decor. Oval tables stretched to accommodate the gathering of about a hundred Blessed, with white curtains cascading elegantly around them. A bold red band wound its way from one end to the next, lending a regal touch to the ambiance.Taking my place at the table reserved for the First Embers, I couldn't shake the mixture of curiosity and apprehension swirling within me. Despite the opulent surroundings, there was an underlying tension in the air, as if the luxury only served to conceal deeper conflicts and hidden agendas.Amidst the chatter and clatter of plates and silverware, I couldn't shake the sensation of being an outsider in this realm of privilege and power. While the setting boasted grandeur, the mood was far from solemn, with the Blessed engaging in animated conversation and laughter that reverbe
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 17; My Ball Partner
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
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 18; Eye On The Prize
ARWYNThe training square bustles with Embers honing their skills, some practicing strikes on bags tethered to trees, while others engage in duels.My gaze shifts to a group cheered enthusiastically for an Ember attempting to lift a rock with a single hand—a terramancer. A wistful sigh escapes my lips. Dropping my satchel to the dusty ground, I hastily tie up my hair with a hair band and begin flexing my arm.But before I can savor a moment of solitude, Ahvi emerges unexpectedly, her smile bright as ever. Yet, beneath the facade, I know there's more to her. People like her often harbor the darkest pasts, but definitely not darker than mine.My upbringing was a mix of abandonment on my father's part, witnessing my mother's murder, and navigating a moral compass that often wavers into gray areas. But in the midst of all that turmoil, rebellion became my refuge. "Morning," Ahvi greets as she settles onto a nearby rock, her hands flexing. Practice sessions offer a break from formality, a
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 19; A Letter From Ketel
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
Hearts And Ashes Chapter 20; I Will Unravel You
THRYSTAN"Your coronation is barely a week away, son. We cannot afford any misbehaviors," Father grunts, his hands gripping the arms of his throne as if the world itself rested beneath his feet.I stand a few steps away, my hands clenched behind my back, eyes locked on him."You must comport yourself in an orderly manner," he continues, repeating the same old lectures he’s given since Nerys died and I was named heir. Before that, he barely spoke to me at all. "Set a good example for the Embers. Like it or not, when you take the throne, they will be at your every whim and command."He sighs. "Your little army."To him, that's all anyone is: a tool to achieve the unachievable. His ambition knows no bounds, and it's all I've ever known. I wasn’t raised with love or anything that would make one look back and smile. It's quite the opposite."Are you understanding me?" The King's dark eyes pierce into mine with an unyielding gaze."Yes, sir.""You cannot afford to be weak, or people will ma
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