
A Blossom of Flames
Valentina, a young student of the scholarly art of Essence Weaving, wants to rescue her family from poverty – whatever the cost. But Bridgewater University is a dangerous place, where knowledge and power are for the few rich or unscrupulous enough to attain them. Between ruthless noble rivals, forbidden summonings and the dark promise of a pact with a demon, Valentina finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue and temptation. As the academic competition becomes ever more cutthroat, she must decide whether she will pay the price of ambition – or whether that price is higher than she ever expected.
What to Expect?
► A morally complex protagonist navigating a cutthroat, class-divided university.
► A richly detailed magic system grounded in logic and scholarship.
► Themes of ambition, power, and the personal cost of success.
► Intense rivalries, forbidden knowledge, and a dangerous pact with a demon.
► Layered world-building featuring a grimdark universe with a unique religious, societal and magical background.
► Mature themes, including manipulation, corruption, and ethical dilemmas.
Finally, as a warning, there will be at times both graphic violence in this series as well as sexual themes and content. If either of these make you uncomfortable, this series might not be for you.
Updates every Sunday and Thursday.
- Chapter 1 – The Burning Tower 2,691 Words
- Chapter 2 – Lines Unspoken 2,100 Words
- Chapter 3 – The Missing Ingredient 1,629 Words
- Chapter 4 – A Gift of Warmth 2,480 Words
- Chapter 5 – A Letter from Home 2,477 Words
- Chapter 6 – Forbidden Pages 2,045 Words
- Chapter 7 – What Lies Beyond 2,372 Words
- Chapter 8 – Eyes in the Darkness 3,283 Words
- Chapter 9 – A Dangerous Bargain 1,715 Words
- Chapter 10 – The First Favor 2,597 Words
- Chapter 11 – Whispers in the Mind 1,610 Words
- Chapter 12 – Voices of Temptation 2,415 Words
- Chapter 13 – Friendship in Candlelight 2,988 Words
- Chapter 14 – Entangled Desires 1,844 Words
- Chapter 15 – Falling Leaves, Rising Flames 3,085 Words
- Chapter 16 – Forbidden Patterns 2,129 Words
- Chapter 17 – A Message from the Marches 1,975 Words
- Chapter 18 – Confessions 2,155 Words
- Chapter 19 – Call of Competition 1,997 Words
- Chapter 19,5 Interlude – Crispin’s Diary I 1,510 Words
- Chapter 20 – Awakened Ambitions 2,633 Words
- Chapter 21 – Market Mechanism 2,278 Words
- Chapter 22 – A Pact of Desperation 2,521 Words
- Chapter 23 – Niceties for Necessities, Part 1 2,739 Words
- Chapter 24 – Niceties for Necessities, Part 2 2,873 Words
- Chapter 25 – Whispers in the Library 2,007 Words
- Chapter 26 – Echoes of Ambition 3,350 Words
- Chapter 27 – The First Round 3,038 Words
- Chapter 28 – The Turning Point 2,149 Words
- Chapter 29 – The Cost of Success 2,248 Words
- Chapter 30 – A Name on Their Lips 2,059 Words
- Chapter 31 – The Burning Quill 3,531 Words
- Chapter 32 – Between Two Worlds 2,022 Words
- Chapter 33 – The Herbwife’s Wisdom 2,622 Words
- Chapter 34 – Breaking Barriers 2,003 Words
- Chapter 35 – Flames of Innocence 2,004 Words
- Chapter 36 – Morning Reflections 2,436 Words
- Chapter 37 – Across the Table 2,730 Words
- Chapter 38 – Beneath the Surface 2,046 Words
- Chapter 38,5 Interlude – Crispin’s Diary II 1,115 Words
- Chapter 39 – Into the Arena 2,316 Words
- Chapter 40 – Rising Above 2,202 Words
- Chapter 41 – Competitive Minds 2,405 Words
- Chapter 42 – The Professor’s Weakness 2,800 Words
- Chapter 43 – Professor on a Leash 1,833 Words
- Chapter 44 – Extra Credit 2,530 Words
- Chapter 45 – The Red Sash 2,099 Words
- Chapter 46 – Eve of Martyrium 2,275 Words
- Chapter 47 – The Silent Flame 1,605 Words
- Chapter 48 – Treading Softly 2,236 Words
- Chapter 49 – Behind Closed Doors 2,771 Words
- Chapter 50 – Under Pressure 1,903 Words
- Chapter 51 – Trials of Fire 2,230 Words
- Chapter 52 – Burning Bridges 2,360 Words
- Chapter 53 – The Professor’s Pet 2,578 Words
- Chapter 54 – Horne of Plenty 2,311 Words
- Chapter 55 – Unraveled 2,199 Words
- Chapter 56 – Truth, Lies and Lavender 1,650 Words
- Chapter 56,5 – Interlude – The 1356 Bridgewater Incident 1,932 Words
- Chapter 57 – A Week of Whispers… 2,332 Words
- Chapter 58 – … and Foxes 1,948 Words
- Chapter 59 – Deceit 2,561 Words
- Chapter 60 – Corruption 2,073 Words
- Chapter 61 – The Vault Below 3,665 Words
- Chapter 62 – The Essence Thief 2,064 Words
- Chapter 63 – Loom of Destiny 2,292 Words
- Chapter 64 – Weaving Fates 3,251 Words
- Chapter 65 – Echoes of Glory 2,921 Words
- Chapter 66 – Bonds and Boundaries 2,605 Words
- Chapter 67 – Independent Mind 3,520 Words
- Chapter 68 – Healing Hands 2,138 Words
- Chapter 69 – The Crescent and the Rose 2,588 Words
- Chapter 70 – Steps Toward Tomorrow 2,444 Words
- 1 Prologue – The Return 2,097 Words
- Chapter 1 – Home Again 1,686 Words
- Chapter 2 – Father, Mother… 2,194 Words
- Chapter 3 – … Brothers and Sisters 2,765 Words
- Chapter 4 – The Story of Saint Valentina 2,952 Words
- Chapter 5 – Old Friends 1,877 Words
- Chapter 6 – Blossom 2,204 Words
- Chapter 7 – Goodbye 1,775 Words
- Chapter 8 – The Scorched Lands 1,576 Words
- Chapter 9 – Dusktown 1,859 Words
- Chapter 10 – The Duke’s Welcome 1,998 Words
- Chapter 11 – A Viper at the Dining Table 2,555 Words
- Chapter 12 – Presents 1,805 Words
- Chapter 13 – Healing Arts 2,548 Words
- Chapter 14 – Emergency 1,623 Words
- Chapter 15 – The Banquet Incident 2,057 Words
- Chapter 16 – A Day in the City 2,491 Words
- Chapter 17 – Opening Moves 2,851 Words
- Chapter 18 – Clear Terms 2,146 Words
- Chapter 19 – The Duchess 1,636 Words
- Chapter 20 – An Honest Accounting 2,611 Words
- Chapter 21 – Taking the Leap 2,239 Words
- Chapter 22 – One Step Forward, Two to the Side 1,725 Words
- Chapter 23 – Dropping the Eaves 1,676 Words
- Chapter 24 – A Special Evening 2,245 Words
- Chapter 25 – Open Hearts 2,831 Words
- Chapter 26 – The Theater 2,230 Words
- Chapter 27 – Hostile Hospitality 2,741 Words
- Chapter 28 – A Friendly Wager 2,271 Words
- Chapter 29 – The Garden Party, Part 1 2,727 Words
- Chapter 30 – The Garden Party, Part 2 1,895 Words
- Chapter 31 – Hedged Bets 2,880 Words
- Chapter 32 – A Gift of Peace 1,894 Words
- Chapter 33 – A Birthday to Remember 2,790 Words
- Chapter 34 – Healing and Learning 2,450 Words
- Chapter 35 – Deals and Illusions 2,553 Words
- Chapter 36 – A Different Touch 2,912 Words
- Chapter 37 – Lady in Conversation 2,768 Words
- Chapter 38 – A Perfect Memory 2,085 Words
- Chapter 39 – Return to Bridgewater 2,875 Words
- Chapter 40 – Burying the Past 3,058 Words
- Chapter 41 – Spilling the Beans 2,520 Words
- Chapter 42 – New Standing and Old Enemies 2,063 Words
- Chapter 43 – The Coming Storm 1,543 Words
- Chapter 44 – The Illuminator Arrives 2,239 Words
- Chapter 45 – The First Blow 2,255 Words
- Chapter 46 – Loose Ends 2,426 Words
- Chapter 47 – A Pious Virgin 2,752 Words
- Chapter 48 – Winter’s Grip 2,025 Words
- Chapter 49 – Death’s Hand 2,214 Words
- Chapter 50 – Old Acquaintance 2,182 Words
- Chapter 51 – Possibilities 1,752 Words
- Chapter 52 – Decisions 2,038 Words
- Chapter 53 – A Good Daughter 2,834 Words
- Chapter 54 – Masks and Faces 2,936 Words
- Chapter 55 – The Fallen Professor 2,507 Words
- Chapter 56 – The Client 1,905 Words
- Chapter 57 – Obsession 3,246 Words
- Chapter 58 – Fading Illusions 1,932 Words
- Chapter 59 – The Second Interrogation 1,649 Words
- Chapter 60 – Dream Within A Dream 1,860 Words
- Chapter 61 – Royal Prerogative 2,516 Words
- Chapter 62 – The Third Interrogation 2,138 Words
- Chapter 63 – The Old Gardener… 2,028 Words
- Chapter 64 – … is Thereon Gladder 2,165 Words
- Chapter 65 – Night of Mercy, Part 1 2,694 Words
- Chapter 66 – Night of Mercy, Part 2 1,829 Words
- Chapter 67 – Illumination Retreats 2,438 Words
- Chapter 68 – The Brevity of Peace 1,544 Words
- Chapter 69 – Summer is Coming 2,622 Words
- Post Mortem Book 2 and Announcement Book 3 477 Words
- Prologue – The Scholar 2,417 Words
- Chapter 1 – Reunion 2,163 Words
- Chapter 2 – Road to Vandercourt 1,927 Words
- Chapter 3 – Getting Settled 1,926 Words
- Chapter 4 – Heart of the Realm 1,901 Words
- Chapter 5 – The King’s Speech 1,824 Words
- Chapter 6 – The Audience 2,116 Words
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