71 Results in the "A Weave of Ambition" category
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Chapter
Chapter 27 – Hostile Hospitality
Chapter 27 –Hostile Hospitality The familiar Leb Essence current of the Greystone Cascade surrounded Valentina as she formed the patterns, running her hands over the gaping wound. After all those weeks in Dusktown, the complex healing process was as familiar to her as breathing. "Better," Master Wilford grumbled approvingly. "Oh, a real compliment from the old curmudgeon?" laughed Vyxara in her head. "You've earned it. You're actually getting better and better." The days at the hospital ran…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 26 – The Theater
Chapter 26 – The Theater Jenny hurriedly helped Valentina to change for the theater performance. The maid had already prepared a lavender-colored silk dress – one of the new gowns the duke had gotten her. "You should hurry," warned Vyxara. "After that little interlude in the garden, we don't want to keep the duke waiting too." Valentina tried to block out the memory of Lorenzo's near-kiss while Jenny helped her put on the dress. Her lips were still tingling from the anticipation of his…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 25 – Open Hearts
Chapter 25 – Open Hearts "If you patch up the arteries like that, they'll rupture again later and the patient will bleed to death on the way home," growled Master Wilford. "Concentrate on the Greystone Cascade, feel the flow." Valentina corrected her Essence pattern and immediately felt the healing deepen. The fisherman on the treatment table, who had rammed a fishhook deep into his hand, visibly relaxed. "The old curmudgeon is getting tame," Vyxara commented with amusement. "A few days ago, he…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 24 – A Special Evening
Chapter 24 – A Special Evening Lady Celestine led Valentina through a hidden corridor to an elegant salon in the older part of the palace. "The Duke's more intimate circle," she explained quietly as she led Valentina to a velvet-covered divan. "Here we can let the masks of court slip a little." The room was ornately furnished, with heavy tapestries and comfortable seating. A small group of musicians played subtle melodies, whose shameless lyrics Valentina listened to with a blush. Master…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 23 – Dropping the Eaves
Chapter 23 – Dropping the Eaves Valentina was on her way back to her chambers when she heard voices coming from one of the salons. She immediately recognized Lorenzo's soft baritone and Hazel's cutting voice. She was about to go on, but something in Hazel's tone made her pause. "Curious, little Weaver?" teased Vyxara. "Go on, you know how to eavesdrop." Valentina hesitated for a moment, then activated her Essence Listening ability. The voices became crystal clear, as if she were standing right…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 22 – One Step Forward, Two to the Side Vyxara woke Valentina very early the next morning. She blinked sleepily, feeling a pleasant heaviness in her limbs and still a slight throbbing between her legsfrom the passionate night. The duke slept beside her, his breathing calm and even. "Time to go," whispered Vyxara. "The servants will be active soon." Valentina carefully slipped out of bed and picked up her nightdress and nightrobefrom the floor. The duke stirred briefly, but continued to…
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377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 21 – Taking the Leap
Chapter 21 – Taking the Leap Valentina stood in the dark corridor outside the duke's chambers. The moonlight that fell through the high windows did not penetrate the shadows that Valentina had drawn around herself. "The door is locked," Vyxara whispered in her head. "You remember the right pattern?" With her eyes closed, Valentina wove the right Essence pattern and let Luvt and Ard's searching feelers wander into the lock. The lock was secured by a protective pattern, but it did not even respond…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter 20 – An Honest Accounting In her chambersshe found Jenny asleep in an armchair. The young maid had obviously been waiting for her. A fire was still burning dimly in the fireplace and there was a carafe of now cold herbal tea on the small table. "Jenny," Valentina said gently and touched her shoulder. "Go to bed. It's late." The maid was startled. "Oh, my lady! I just wanted to... I thought you might need..." "You're very attentive," smiled Valentina. "But nowgo to sleep. Tomorrow is…
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377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 2 – Father, Mother…
Chapter 2 – Father, Mother… After breakfast, Valentina stepped out into the crisp morning with her father. The sun was still low and the dew glistened on the grass. A light haze hung over the fields, giving the landscape an almost surreal atmosphere. "It's good to have you back," Aldwin said quietly as they walked side by side along the well-trodden dirt path. "We've missed you." Valentina felt a lump in her throat. "I missed you too," she replied. The familiar smells of damp earth and freshly…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 19 – The Duchess
Chapter 19 – The Duchess Valentina stood outside the duchess's chambers, her palms damp with nervousness. She had chosen a simple, dark green dress – elegant enough for an audience, but again deliberately not in the duke's colors. "Remember," Vyxara whispered, "she's a pragmatic woman.No excuses, no apologies." Lady Beatrice, the duchess's lady-in-waiting, opened the door. The honey-blonde woman eyed Valentina with cool professionalism and led her through an elegantly furnished anteroom. The…-
377.7 K • Ongoing
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