جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 50

[Astasia’s POV]My eyes slowly scan the papers in my hand, trailing over the words there, but there’s an issue with what I’m doing as Iravan watches me, waiting patiently for me to say something.I can’t read this, at least, not all of it.Since I was only six when my uncle betrayed us and sent me away, I never got a complete education. I only learned the most basic of things, and still couldn’t make out larger, more complex words, but I couldn’t possibly let Iravan know that, right?As this question comes, I shift my gaze above the papers and bring it to Iravan’s crimson one as he watches me, waiting.“Something wrong?” He asks me as I flush and move my eyes back to the paper.“No,” I say quickly.I would take this secret to the grave with me, I silently promise myself. There’s no way I can let him know my weakness, but then…I continue to examine the paper while noting a word here or there…I won’t know exactly what I’m getting myself into since I can’t properly read this.Dammit. Wha

[Astasia’s POV]I feel a strange emotion begin to bubble up in me as I take in what Iravan is planning for me, and before it can really settle in and consume me, I push it aside.Don’t, I silently warn myself. Don’t you dare let yourself begin to be swayed by words without any actions.“Now, since we have completely discussed things and settled on our own conditions, can we sign this contract?” The man in question asks, bringing me the perfect distraction that I needed. “Or is there anything else that you would like to add?”“No,” I tell him. “Everything sounds fine, but I must warn you.”“Warn me of what?”“I am not responsible for what others say when they see you accompanied by a runt at the peace conference.”“Leave that problem to me.” Iravan chuckles. “But I assure you no one would be brave enough to say a word.”“Fair enough.”Nodding in agreement, Iravan pulls the sheath from the dagger that he still holds, and once the silver blade comes into view, he presses its tip against

[Astasia’s POV]After a grueling two hours of staring at the test that Nalene provided me with, I wait while the woman herself examines what I have done while my stomach churns with both embarrassment and frustration.“Hm,” she mutters, pursing her lips. “My, my.”It is clear from her remarks that she isn’t too pleased with what she is seeing, and that alone annoys me beyond belief, but instead of snapping and losing my temper on her, I simply wait, until finally she places the paper on the table and fixes her golden gaze on mine.“What?” I ask as she continues to stare at me. “Just say what you want.”“And what is it that you think I want to say?”Nalene grows quiet and waits while I take in her question, and when my impulsive nature wins over my rational one, my lips start moving.“I’m an idiot. I’m hopeless. There is no getting me to where I need to be in the amount of time that I am being given.”“Is that what you think?” Nalene asks, adding to my frustration.“Isn’t it?” I counte

[Astasia’s POV]We don’t discuss Illiana or the peace conference any further as we enter the palace’s ballroom, and Iravan leads me to the center of it. Once we arrive, he turns and holds out his arms.“What are you doing?” I ask, eyeing him as he waits for me to do something.“Do you not know the simple hand placement for dancing?”“I do,” I slowly respond.“Then come here.”For a moment, I don’t move as I take in the man in front of me, but when I take too long for his liking, Iravan moves, pressing his right hand against my shoulder blade, and his left hand wrapping around mine. Once he has his hands in place, he tugs, pulling me closer against his body, and as he does a gasp of shock escapes me as his warmth seeps into me.“Don’t make such noises, little mate.” Iravan murmurs, his lips dangerously close to my ear. “You have no idea what they do to me.”“You’re the one who caused it.” I huff while trying to ignore the heating of my own cheeks.Although I know that I shouldn’t let m

[Astasia’s POV]I continue to take in the beautiful scenery around me, the smooth surface of the sea, the sunlight that glints off of it, and the blue sky above. It calms my worries, and soothes my soul.It leaves me with a feeling of peace that I haven’t felt in so long, and I find myself wishing that I could stay in this perfect moment forever.Of course, that isn’t possible, because moments don’t last, and time continues to tick on, and when the blue sky above starts to slowly become shrouded by clouds, and the smooth calm surface of the sea begins to grow rough, I know that my moment of peace is gone.Shifting my gaze, I take in the land ahead. It’s dark and dreary, with a large black castle sitting just in the middle of it, and I recognize it from the books my parents showed me when I was a kid.It’s Tenebrae, the kingdom of darkness where a fierce dragon king resides, but since we were coming to this place for a peace conference, then I shouldn’t have to worry, right?As I consi