73 Results in the "A Blossom of Flames" category
-
Valentina lay awake in her narrow bed early in the morning, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, while the events of the previous night swirled through her head like autumn leaves in the wind. The visit to the Burning Quill had stirred something inside her. The frank conversations with Innogen and Crispin about love, intimacy and expectations had touched a side of her that she had kept carefully closed off. And then there had been Hobkin, with his seductive smile and sparkling eyes, who had made eyes at her…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 60 – Corruption
"STOP!" screamed Vyxara in her head. "The corrupt Essence – it's leaking through!" Valentina saw it too. Fine black veins began to run through the ambient Essence of the room, like ink in clear water. The sweet, foul smell grew stronger. "What should I do?" she whispered in a panic. "Don't stop!" ordered Vyxara. "You have to control both processes at the same time. Keep manipulating the Eye with your right hand and contain the spread with your left." Valentina's injured arm protested as she…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Birds chirped outside Valentina's small skylight and gently woke her up. She felt refreshed and relaxed, she had slept better than she had for a long time. Then she began to remember. "Good morning, little Weaver," Vyxara's voice purred in her head, her voice full of innuendo.The memories of last night flooded her. The intense pleasure, the overwhelming ecstasy, and Vyxara's presence during it all. "Oh Martyr," she whispered, hiding her face in her hands. "There is nothing to be ashamed of,"…
-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
In the days following the second round of the competition, Valentina found herself in a whirlwind of congratulations, envious glances and being the topic of some whispered conversations. But amidst the hustle and bustle, she couldn't forget Professor Horne's strange behavior and remembered that she wanted to investigate it further after the second round of the competition. What she had heard in the library and in the lectures, his nervous looks, the stuttering when he called on certain female students –…
-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
The Burning Quill was well attended that evening. Students were celebrating the end of exams, saying goodbye to friends or drowning their disappointment in ale and fire tongues. The smell of roasting meat and spicy sauce drifted from the kitchen into the bar. Valentina, Innogen and Crispin had managed to get a quiet table in a corner. Wilbur, the innkeeper, had served them his best lamb chops and even brought a bottle of wine from his private cellar. Innogen's name and money made it possible. "Here's…
-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
As Valentina walked around the counter, she entered a completely different world to the chaotic but reasonably tidy front part of the store. Stacks of books, boxes and crates were everywhere. A thick layer of dust covered every free spot. In one corner stood an old bed with stained sheets, next to it a crooked mirror and a wobbly chair. The whole thing looked like the lair of a miserly hermit who hadn't cared about his own well-being for a long time. Barnaby led Valentina deeper into this private…
-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 52 – Burning Bridges
They made their way through the slowly emptying hall. Valentina could feel the other students looking at her and heard them whispering. Some looked pitiful, others were gloating. She kept her head down, concentrating only on putting one foot in front of the other. "You have to stay strong," Vyxara muttered in her head. "Don't show them any weakness." When they reached the corridor, Valentina leaned against the cool stone wall and closed her eyes. She felt drained, empty and almost screamed in her…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 34 – Breaking Barriers
Valentina slipped back into the university unnoticed. Once in her room, she pulled the packet out of her bag and looked at it thoughtfully. With trembling hands, she opened it and began to prepare the brew according to Mara's instructions. The scent of herbs filled the small room, a mixture of bitter and sweet notes. Valentina took a deep breath, gathered her courage and drank the brew in one gulp. The taste was surprisingly mild, with a slightly earthy aftertaste. It wasn't necessarily delicious, but…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 61 – The Vault Below
"Four vials for basic stabilization," Valentina muttered, scribbling the number on her already overstuffed parchment. "Plus at least five for the more complex patterns..." "Don't forget the emergency reserve," Vyxara admonished in her head. "You know how Faustus likes to play dirty tricks." Valentina sighed and added more numbers to her list. The soft glow of the Essence lamps in the library made the ink shimmer pleasantly. "Twelve vials," she finally said tonelessly. "Minimum." "And how many…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 16 – Forbidden Patterns
Lunch was drawing to a close, and the dining room of Bridgewater was beginning to empty. Valentina and Innogen sat for a moment longer.Their plates were already empty, but they were reluctant to part ways. "I have to go," Innogen finally said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "Professor Veilford's tutorial on advanced planar geometry is waiting for me. I'll see you later?" Valentina nodded with a smile. "Of course. Have fun with the triangles," she joked. As Innogen hurried away laughing, her long…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
-
- Previous 1 2 3 4 … 8 Next
