73 Results in the "A Blossom of Flames" category
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Chapter
Chapter 38 – Beneath the Surface
Valentina walked through the narrow aisles of the library, looking for a quiet free place to study. She eventually found a secluded table near the advanced Essence Theory section. With a sigh of relief, she settled down and spread out her notes when she saw through a gap in the shelves that Professor Horne was sitting a few rows away, reading a book in a low murmur. "Why don't you take this opportunity, little Weaver?" purred Vyxara in her head. "Your EssenceListening could be very...…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 37 – Across the Table
The next morning, Valentina let her eyes wander over the crowd in search of an empty seat for breakfast – and froze when she spotted Crispin at the other end of the hall. Their eyes met for a moment and Valentina felt a blush rise to her face. Crispin smiled shyly and beckoned her over. Heart pounding, she made her way through the crowd. "Good morning, Val," Crispin said as she sat down. His voice sounded an octave higher than usual and he avoided looking her directly in the eye. "Morning,…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 36 – Morning Reflections
She put a hand on Crispin's chest, his heart raced beneath her touch. The bulge in his breeches told her of his desire for her and a shiver ran down her spine. She sat herself on his lap, straddling his thighs. Crispin's breath hitched at her touch, and he grew hard against her. He held her hips tentatively as if she might evaporate into mist any moment. Valentina reached closer, pressing her lips against his cheek, then his jawline. "It's alright," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "We can…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 35 – Flames of Innocence
Valentina opened the door to Crispin's room and entered hesitantly. The space that opened up before her made her pause for a moment. In contrast to her modest attic room, Crispin's room was spacious and airy – although not as large as Innogen's huge quarters, of course. Large windows let in the last of the evening light, bathing the sturdy wooden furniture in warm tones. "Wow," Valentina gasped involuntarily. "Your room is... beautiful." Crispin blushed slightly and ran his fingers nervously…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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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…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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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…
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377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 32 – Between Two Worlds
As the bell of the Burning Quill rang for the last round, Valentina, Innogen and Crispin realized how quickly time had passed. The tavern had emptied noticeably, with only a few stubborn revellers still holding out at their tables. "I think it's time for us to go," Innogen said with a yawn that she tried to hide behind her hand. Valentina nodded in agreement, but at the same time felt a pang of regret. The evening had been so beautiful, so liberating. Part of her didn't want to let go of that feeling…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 31 – The Burning Quill
Dusk had fallen over Bridgewater as Valentina, Innogen and Crispin made their way to The Burning Quill. The streets of the old town were a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and crooked half-timbered houses, their upper floors leaning over the path as if they were reaching out to each other across the street. The smell of roasting meat and alcohol hung in the air, mixed with the smoky aroma of burning logs. Lanterns flickered on the street corners, casting dancing shadows on the cobblestones. "It's not…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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The main hall of Bridgewater University was filled with a palpable tension. Hundreds of students and other onlookers crowded into the university's main room, their faces a reflection of nervousness, hope, barely suppressed excitement,or just plain curiosity. The tall windows let in the morning sunlight, which refracted in the half-faded remnants of the shimmering Essence patterns that still hung in the air from the previous day's exam. Valentina stood at the edge of the crowd, her heart pounding so…
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377.7 K • Ongoing
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A short time later, she arrived in the library, surrounded by the smell of old leather, parchment and dust, which settled over her like a familiar blanket. The dimmed light from the Essence lamps bathed the high bookshelves in a cozy glow. Valentina walked straight to the Essence Theory section, running her fingers over the spines of books as she searched for texts that might help her with her studies. "Basics of Essence Weaving", "The Story of the Martyr and Its Significance to Weaving" - a title…
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377.7 K • Ongoing
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