43 Results in the "A Thread of Corruption" category
-
Chapter
Chapter 32 – Back in Bridgewater
The following days passed in a steady rhythm of travel and short stays with hospitable country nobles. The carriage followed the River Water southwest, and the landscape became more familiar with each passing hour. Cosimo's mood remained high. He chatted about the upcoming business in Dusktown, about the wedding preparations for Lorenzo and Innogen, about his plans for the hospital. The matter with the Earl was settled for him and they didn't talk much more about that. Instead, he enjoyed his time with…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 31 – A Marriage Proposal
"Valentina." He closed the door behind him. "This is a pleasant surprise." "I thought I'd save you the trip to my chamber," she said, rising to help him out of his doublet. "Besides, my room was cool." "Sensible as always." He willingly let her help him and sighed with relief as the heavy fabric slid from his shoulders. "By all the flames of the Martyr, that man has said more words about sheep than I have seen sheep in my entire life. I was afraid he was going to tell me about the birth of every…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 30 – End of Parliament
"We thank Our loyal lords and the good representatives of the church, the cities and guilds for their service to Our realm," King Edmund said in his deep voice, sounding quite satisfied. "In the past few weeks, you have advised Us well and debated decisions that will secure Sommerland's strength for many years to come. We are delighted with these results." He let his gaze wander over the assembled crowd, and Valentina could have sworn that his brown eyes rested on Duke Cosimo for a moment. "Now…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 29 – A Taxing Situation
"Good morning, Windom. I would like to have a word with His Grace, if he can spare the time. In private." His eyebrow rose almost imperceptibly. It was an unusual request, Valentina knew. Her meetings with the duke usually took place in the evening and were generally initiated by him, not her. And certainly not so early in the morning, just before a parliamentary session. "I will convey your message to His Grace," Windom said neutrally and set off. Valentina waited, pacing back and forth. "Why…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 28 – Social Intelligence
One evening, when the house was quiet, Valentina sat down by the light of her Essence lamp and picked up her quill to finally write a few letters to her family. My dearest Adeline, she began the first one. After all, she had promised her sister she would write and tell her all about life in the capital. She described the tournament, the shining armor the knights wore with their imaginative helmet decorations and their fluttering banners. The ladies' dresses, the silk and brocade in every color…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 27 – Fallen Woman
A week later, Valentina sat in the large parliamentary structure on the palace grounds, squeezed between the duchess and Lady Beatrice in the rows reserved for the magnates' companions. High wooden beams supported the linen roofs, which softened the bright summer light into a warm glow, and cooling Essence patterns ensured that the heat remained bearable. Nevertheless, there was a strong smell of sweat and perfume from the spectators. Today, there was no debate on the agenda, but rather petitions and…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 26 – What Are We
They sank onto the bed, Innogen on her back, Valentina on top of her, their bodies entwining into a tangle of limbs and kisses. Valentina slid her hand lower, stroking the blonde triangle between Innogen's legs and playing tenderly with the soft hair. Innogen gasped softly, a stifled sound that made Valentina laugh, a quiet, joyful laugh that drowned in a kiss. Her fingers slid deeper, circling the sensitive bud, feeling the wetness that gathered invitingly below there. Innogen arched her back as…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
-
-
The sunlight seeping through the curtains gently awakened Valentina from a deep, dreamless sleep. She stretched slowly under the sheets, and a pleasant tingling sensation ran through her muscles. There was still a pleasant heaviness in her limbs. A smile stole across her lips before she could stop it. "Good morning, little Weaver," Vyxara purred in her head. "No regrets?" "Not a trace," Valentina thought back, rolling onto her side. Her body felt pleasantly exhausted, as if she had spent a whole…
-
421.6 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 24 – Shameful Secrets
The Tower leaned against the wooden frame of the box, arms crossed, watching her silently as she tried to pluck the last strands of hay from her hair. His expression was hard to read, but if she had to guess, there was something in his grey-blue eyes that looked like genuine curiosity. "Why?" he finally asked, clearing his throat. Valentina looked up at him and threw the last straw on the floor. "Why what?" "Why are you really here?" He tilted his head slightly to one side. It was a gesture that…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 23 – Climbing a Tower
The Tower immediately spun around and his hand shot to his belt, where a knife hung. The speed with which he moved was frightening for a man of his size. For a heartbeat, he stood there, tense as a bowstring and ready to strike. Then she could see from his amazingly expressive eyebrows that he was making one realization after another about what he was seeing. A small woman. Alone. In a cloak, her hood still covering her face. His hand relaxed. He straightened up, and his expression changed from…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
-
- Previous 1 2 3 … 5 Next
