LOGINShare
Chapter 51: Departure into the Wilds
publish date:
2026-09-08 23:46:42
Latest chapter
The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 58: Elysia Arrives
Three days later, Cedric joined us at breakfast, ledger in hand, snow melting from his boots onto the floor Nella had just scrubbed.“Nothing useful yet, Your Grace,” he said before Evren could ask. “No unfamiliar faces have come through the gate in the last week besides the three from Verenne. The guards don’t remember seeing a raven leave either. Whoever sent the letter either works inside the keep and covered their tracks, or found another way to get the message to that bird.”“So whoever sent it was willing to take a risk.”“Or someone wanted us looking inward instead of watching the road,” I said.“Could be both.” Evren turned his cup between his hands. “For the next few days, we act like we trust everyone. Until we know what we’re dealing with, we trust no one.”“That won’t be easy to maintain.”“It rarely is. We’ll manage.” He looked at Cedric. “Keep Ilsa and Perrin in the kitchens. Berta can keep an eye on them there. Put Doran somewhere Astrid can watch him without making it
The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 57: Aftermath Whispers
By morning, the great hall had already begun to lose the traces of the feast. Servants cleared the last dishes from the tables while two younger ones took down the evergreen garlands, trying not to scatter needles across the floor they had already swept twice. The shutters stood open, letting out the smell of smoke and spiced wine and bringing in cold morning air that felt almost welcome.I stayed by the cold hearth longer than I meant to, too tired to be useful and too restless to sleep. My feet still ached from dancing, but my thoughts kept returning to Lucan's face as he left, Godric's threat, and the way Doran had looked away when he caught me watching him.Agnes was passing through with a folded blanket when she noticed me by the hearth. She stopped and looked me over. "You should be resting, not sitting here counting soot stains.”"I am resting. I'm just sitting up.”"That's not resting. That's sulking with better posture." She settled the blanket over my shoulders, tucking it a
The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 56: Feast of Thawing
“Your Grace, this spiced wine is wonderful.” The wife of a minor lord lifted her glass. “Whoever chose it deserves a raise.”“I’ll tell Chef Magnus. He nearly started a fight over that recipe, so he’ll be pleased to hear you liked it.”She laughed and moved on. I took a breath before turning to the next guest.The great hall looked completely different from that morning. Evergreen garlands hung from the beams, and dozens of lanterns lit the room. The tables were crowded with roasted meats and Magnus’s citrus-glazed goose, already carved and ready to serve. Pale winter roses had been placed along the linens, grown early in the greenhouse. Music came from the gallery above, mixing with the voices and laughter of the guests. I hadn't heard the keep this lively since before the mountain pass.I moved through the hall as Astrid had taught me at the imperial court, keeping my posture straight and taking my time with each guest. Still, this was easier than court. These people weren't waiting
The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 55: Winter Feast Preparations
"Three days," Cedric said before I had both feet on the ground. "That's how long we have before the first Feast deliveries arrive, and half of them still aren't confirmed.”I handed my reins to a stable boy. "Cedric, we've been riding since before dawn.”"I know, Your Grace. I've been managing the household since before dawn too, and it still needs things whether you're here or not." He fell into step beside me, ledger already open. "The Caelrin wine order is short by four casks. Torvald wants a seat closer to the head table than tradition allows. And Chef Magnus has threatened to quit twice this week.”Behind us, Agnes had already taken hold of Evren's injured arm, gently turning his wrist as he tried to pull away. "You're letting Dr. Winter look at this properly before you do anything else. I don't care what the council wants.”"The council can wait.”"They've waited longer for less important men. Your arm can wait too.”Nella came flying across the courtyard, skidding on the packed
The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 54: Avalanche of Doubt
"The rope's frozen," Kael called, tugging at the line holding the last supply sledge. "Give me a minute.”"We don't have a minute," Elder Rowan said, watching the ridge. "That slope's been groaning since we started up.”I looked at the ridge. The snow appeared untouched, but underneath the wind was a low rumble I could feel as much as hear."What kind of groaning?""The kind that means we shouldn't stop.”The pass had narrowed since midmorning, the rock walls forcing us into single file. The horses picked their way across patches of ice that hid the ground beneath them. Petra, one of the younger escorts, kept glancing at the same ridge, her hand tight around the reins. She had barely spoken since we'd left the outpost, and I'd assumed she was still nervous after what had happened there."How much farther to the shelter point?" I asked."Half a mile, if the sledges can keep up." Kael kept working at the rope. "They won't at this rate.”"We could leave two sledges and send men back once
The Duchess of Frostmane Chapter 53: The Frozen Village
"And I assure you, Your Grace, the delay was unavoidable.”Lord Dessel stood at the village gate in a coat too fine for the weather, flanked by two men who looked like they would rather be anywhere else."Unavoidable?"“The roads south were impassable for three weeks. Even the mail courier turned back twice.” He spread his hands. “I sent word to Frostmane as soon as the pass cleared.”"We didn't receive it.""Then it was lost. These things happen in winter." He smiled."Three weeks is a long time to wait for a road to clear," I said. "If the horses couldn't make it, someone could have come on foot.”“With respect, Your Grace, I don’t send men to freeze to death just to deliver a message.” His expression didn’t change. “I made the decision I thought was best for the people under my care."Behind me, Kael shifted his weight, but Elder Rowan said nothing.Evren dismounted. "We'll discuss the roads later. Show us the stores.”Dessel nodded. "Of course, Your Grace. This way.”The village s
You May Also Like
Timber Alpha
Marie Night612.1K viewsAccidentally Pregnant By My Alpha Best friends
Alexis Dee603.5K viewsMine - The Alpha's Possession
Kylie534.7K viewsThe Alpha's Unwanted Mate
Gaydar593.8K viewsThe Cursed Luna’s Second Chance
Internal 28 viewsThe Unmarked Luna
F.Flora26 viewsThe Alpha’s Forgotten Daughter; The Luna They Threw Away
RitaKo204 viewsTHE REJECTED LUNA
lade183 views
