Linda Moore
Stories
5
Chapters
715
Words
704.9 K
Comments
0
Reading
2 d, 10 h
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ Nicholas had consumed probably one too many cups of wine by the end of the evening festivities, which consisted mostly of the Nobel Faction magnanimously pouring wine into the cups of the defeated Royal Faction until the latter stumbled off to their beds, completely inebriated. “I do believe we—may have drained Rykard’s cellar—to the bottom,” Acheron grunted cheerfully, demonstrating remarkable resilience as he guided the swaying Crown Prince down the hall to his…-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ Sophya stood frozen beneath Asher’s screams. Lord Rykard’s voice echoed dully against the blood pounding against her ears as he barked orders to the staff rushing around the bed where her injured, bleeding fiancé squirmed, clutching the bandaged stump of his right hand as he wept in agony. “Do something! Help him!” Valarie shrieked, standing at the foot of the bed, twisting her handkerchief with a pained expression as her cousin let out another deafening…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ Nicholas watched as various flies and other pests danced along to the fading notes of the modest string quartet playing beneath the tent canopy. The invasive scavenger insects soon gorged themselves on what had been a savory lunch, the fatty remains of tender wild boar loins and the picked-over bones of succulent braised ribs, accompanied with asparagus and lemon zest, served with a refreshing sparkling wild berry punch. Humidity and the disappointment that followed the…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ “I don’t know,” Carina whispered back honestly. “Sometimes it feels like he’s working against me rather than with me.” “I can’t say he’s wrong. I did act rashly.” The Scarlet Witch scoffed. Carina didn’t bother to respond. Instead, her attention shifted to the subtle change in the wind that carried with it a distinctly airy scent that was both crisp and clean. The Duchess rose from her chair and turned to watch as Earl Hawthorne appeared from…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ Nicholas lowered his canteen. The lukewarm water had long since lost its refreshing taste, which only enhanced his growing hunger. Thankfully the hunting party was making its way back to the campgrounds and manor for a brief lunch break that would allow him to check on Lady Kirsi’s recovery. “That doesn’t look good,” Attwood commented from the prince's left, gesturing to where a Bastiallano Knight and Lieutenant Olund waited at the edge of the forest with tense…
-
139 •
-
-
Nero’s armor pulsed as his boots sank with a The chapel’s air, once frigid with frost, now rippled as the temperature climbed dangerously high. The witch hunter resettled a safe distance away and pulled up the scarf at his neck, which he secured over his mouth and nose. “Guess that’s my cue to get serious.” “Your ice isn’t an enchantment,” Ghost spat venomously. For a moment, the ghoul’s dark eyes flickered red. “You’re a witch!” “Half-right, pureblood,” Nero retorted as he…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ Heat and sweat coated Cooper’s body like a burning fever. His lungs and legs ached with exertion that bled slowly into numbness. The scout sergeant’s blurred vision hampered his progress as the shadows of leaves and trees swayed before him in a nauseating dance. The scorching burns left by Malachi’s sword continued their myriad of pain down his back and left shoulder. Every taunting, jostling step threatened to stretch and rip the seared flesh further, but he…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ The hours between dawn and midnight passed by in a blur of restless tranquility. Carina had never slept so deeply before. One moment she was lying against her pillow at Gilwren Manor, and the next, she floated within the frozen cortex, weightless as she listened to the rhythmic sound of Viktor’s heart while sinking deeper into Kirsi’s memories. The lives of the Scarlet Witch paraded before her like an illuminated crosscut film, centering around key moments and important…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ The rising morning sun glinted through the boughs of fir, dogwood, and hickory to dance upon the swollen waters of Vesper River that babbled along the shoreline serenaded by the singing oriole, whistling warbler, and harmonic wood thrush. The idyllic sounds masked the approach of three Bastiallano scouts that crept carefully down the ridge along the river’s southern bank. Their footsteps were careful and nearly indiscernible beneath the thigh-length poncho of leaves that…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ Ivy couldn’t stop shaking. Kirsi’s cold magic had penetrated her skin, leaving it dry and brittle. Miranda’s stifled scream of terror that ended with her being blasted against the cellar wall still rang in Ivy’s ears. The Earl delivered the trembling maid back to the Duchess’s rooms, where an apprehensive and confused Hana greeted them. “Ivy—where have you been?” The Viscountess’s gentle turquoise blue eyes narrowed as she touched the maid’s arms.…
-
139 •
-
- Previous 1 … 3 4 5 … 72 Next
