All Chapters of ISLAND OF DESIRE: REJECTED HEIRESS : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

When the aircraft banked gently and descended toward Paris, sunlight spilled wide and golden over the city across slate‑grey rooftops, winding avenues, and the glittering curve of the Seine like a silver ribbon woven through stone and greenery. Even from above, it felt different lighter, freer, open‑hearted.Stepping out into Charles de Gaulle Airport, the air held cool freshness mixed with faint notes of chestnut and rain‑washed pavement. No familiar faces watched me; no old whispers clung to my name. For the first time in years, I breathed deeply and felt truly unburdened.I was eighteen, carrying two suitcases, a thick portfolio of work, and a quiet, burning resolve: I would not just survive here I would bloom.My academy stood in one of the most beautiful districts, close enough to the heart of Paris yet tucked peacefully among leafy streets and classical stone buildings. It specialized in creative arts, visual design, fashion media and narrative direction exactly what I loved

Morning broke bright and humid, but the sweetness of our first peaceful night quickly faded into hard reality. Being stranded wasn’t just about wonder or strange magic it meant fighting simply to stay alive, hour by hour.We gathered near the cold remains of the fire. Everyone’s face looked tired and serious now. Beside me sat Alexus and Kael calm, strong, already acting like natural pillars of our small group. But not everyone accepted that easily.The woman who had come as Alexus’s paid companion Lila lifted her chin high, elegant even in torn clothes. She looked around with clear dissatisfaction.“This cannot go on like this,” she spoke sharply, voice cutting through silence. “We need proper order. Someone experienced, someone who knows how things work… should lead us.”Her eyes drifted straight toward Alexus, expecting him to step forward naturally.Marco shook his head firmly practical and sturdy. “Experience here matters more than titles. Kael knows plants, water‑sources, t

Morning broke differently here filtered, soft, green‑gold light falling in slanted beams through broken arches and thick canopy overhead. The air remained cool but carried a heavy, living scent: damp stone, ancient dust, deep roots, and something like pure, charged water.We gathered near the central hall, where carvings told their silent warning story. Everyone moved with surer purpose now no lingering vanity, no side‑glances of pride or rivalry. Lila and Elena worked alongside Maya and me, sorting supplies; Alexus and Kael stood mapping the stone layout together like long‑used partners.“The passages run like veins,” Kael said, tracing faint lines in dust over a flat slab. “Some lead toward springs and store‑chambers; some are dead‑ends or traps; one main line dives straight toward the beating heart we saw last night.”“Safe rule first,” Alexus added firmly. “Never enter without light, never split, never step where stone rings hollow.”We organised carefully:Exploration party: Ca

We moved forward early, before the sun climbed too high and heat grew heavy.The air felt different now softer, cleaner, as if the heavy grey shadow from our betrayal had finally blown away. Lila and Elena walked quietly, heads held low but steady. They worked side‑by‑side with Maya and me, gathering dry branches and checking safe plants without complaining or whispering behind backs anymore.Alexus and Kael still led together equal partners, matching pace and understanding each other’s signals easily. But after about an hour, Kael slowed his step naturally and drifted back until he walked beside me.It felt right.The path wound deeper toward the heart of the island. Great trees rose taller than anything I had ever seen thick trunks, rough bark woven over with moss and hanging vines. Their branches met high above like a green roof, filtering sunlight into long golden streaks falling gently through mist.Everything smelled sweet and alive damp earth, fresh leaves, wild flowers, and

We moved slowly toward higher ground, stopping to gather food along the way. The forest grew wilder here thick tangled vines, huge ferns, trees packed close together. Sunlight only broke through in thin pale streaks. Alexus told everyone clearly: “Stay close. Do not wander far.” But while bending to pick soft edible palm shoots and bright safe berries, I stepped a little further aside. Kael saw me drift away and followed quietly always watching over me. “Careful,” he said softly. “The land hides many openings.” We moved deeper between large rocks and twisted roots, searching for more fruit and clear water. We thought we were still within calling distance… until the path behind simply vanished. Trees looked all the same; every way seemed alike. Voices from the rest grew fainter and fainter until silence swallowed them completely. “We lost track,” Kael admitted gently. “And now mist rolls in fast.” Grey cold mist rose suddenly, thick and heavy much colder than before. It blurred