44 Results in the "A Thread of Corruption" category
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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…-
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
Chapter 2 – Road to Vandercourt
The carriage jolted over a particularly rough stone, and Valentina was torn from her memories. Cosimo stirred beside her, his hand sliding lazily over her hip. "What are you thinking about?" he murmured sleepily. "The summer ahead of us," she replied, which wasn't entirely untrue. He smiled and pulled her closer. "It will be an interesting summer, my dear. I promise you that." "More interesting than he realizes," Vyxara commented dryly. Valentina could only agree silently. He reached for…-
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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Chapter
Chapter 13 – Holy Ground
Valentina awoke at sunrise the next day, still feeling a slight soreness between her legs. Cosimo had been demanding last night. Not really rough, he never was, but enthusiastic in a way that made her body remember every single position he had put her in. "Stiff?" Vyxara inquired with a hint of amusement. "Oh, shut up," Valentina thought back as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. A knock at the door announced Margaret, who was already carrying a stack of carefully folded clothes over her…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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