44 Results in the "A Thread of Corruption" category
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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…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 22 – Climbing a Tree
Valentina moved as quickly as the low visibility allowed through the alleys of Vandercourt, recalling Beatrice's directions over and over again. The fabric of her dark cloak swayed gently around her with every step, and her hood and cape hid her face from the few passersby who were still out at this late hour. Vandercourt was a beautiful and bustling city during the day, but at night it was not necessarily a place you wanted to be. The merchant district was quiet, the shops long since closed and their…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Once again, there was silence between them, not uncomfortable, but it was clear that none of them knew how to begin. Valentina didn't even know where to put her hands, where to look. Innogen was still sitting on the small sofa, her cheeks still reddened from dried tears. Lorenzo had leaned back in his armchair and was looking at them both with an expression that seemed both exhausted and faintly amused. "Well," he finally said, a crooked smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "This is probably the…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 20 – Arrangements
The door closed behind them, leaving Valentina and Innogen alone. At first, the silence between them was so heavy that Valentina thought she could physically feel it. Innogen was still sitting on the small sofa, her hands no longer clenched but lying limply in her lap, as if the tension had completely drained her. Tears glistened on her cheeks, but she was no longer crying. Valentina didn't know where to start. There was so much to say, and at the same time, every word seemed so terribly…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 19 – Intervention
Valentina awoke with a gasp, the sheets clinging damp to her skin, her heart racing as if she had just sprinted through the steep alleys of Bridgewater. The fragments of her dream reluctantly receded from her consciousness. Giant hands gripping her hips, the weight of a massive body pressing her into the mattress, and grey-blue eyes that regarded her with that fascinating indifference. "My goodness," Vyxara purred in her head, the demon's words dripping with amusement. "If your dreams get any more…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 18 – Fire and Air
"Noble lords and ladies! The Order of the Primrose and the Order of the Poppy, the pride of the Essence Weavers of this realm, will now demonstrate their mastery of the scholarly art!" The mood in the crowd was different now, a whole other kind of atmosphere, not the bloodthirsty excitement of combat, but something far more reverent. The common folk in the lower ranks craned their necks, curious but unsure of what to expect. Two groups of Essence Weavers entered the field from opposite sides. The…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 17 – Tournament Finale
The sun was already high in the sky when the Greystone carriage came to a halt in front of the tournament grounds, and the air was filled with the smell of roasted meat, sweat, horses and the excited anticipation of thousands of people. "Finally, the last day," sighed Duchess Rosalind as they stepped out of the carriage and made their way through the crowd toward the grandstand. "Oh, I think it's a shame it's already over," said Beatrice. "But I can't wait to see who triumphs in the final. The last…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 16 – Night of Confusion
Once they arrived at the townhouse, there was little time to freshen up for dinner. This time, it wasn't a grand reception like the night before, just an intimate family dinner with the Greystones and Innogen as a guest. And Valentina, of course. No foreign lords and no political maneuvering. At least, that seemed to be the plan. Valentina first helped Beatrice help the duchess change her clothes, then hurried to her own chambers, where Margaret had already laid out a simple evening gown in muted…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 15 – Violent Desires
They arrived at the tournament field slightly late. Duke Cosimo and Lorenzo were already present when they took their seats in the noble gallery. The duke was a few rows ahead, engaged in an intense conversation with the gruesome Duke of Mirkshire and several other lords. Lorenzo was with a group of young nobles his age, who were lively discussing the upcoming fights. As the women sat down, they exchanged brief glances with the men. Cosimo nodded to his wife and gave Valentina a fleeting smile that.…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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The carriage turned onto a wider street, and as the wheels clattered loudly over the cobblestones, the strange atmosphere of the Hearth of Sommerland slowly fell away from them. The buildings here were lower, the facades more colorful, and everywhere people crowded between stalls. "Ah, finally," sighed the duchess, leaning back more relaxed into the cushions. "After so much piety, I need something worldly to relax." Lady Beatrice laughed softly. "I was afraid you would order the driver to return…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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