Linda Moore
Stories
5
Chapters
715
Words
704.9 K
Comments
0
Reading
2 d, 10 h
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ “I hope you enjoyed yourself, Ivy, although it looks like we wore you out instead,” Carina observed apologetically as they sat down at their table. The waiter brought by their tray of Black Raven Tea accompanied by freshly baked mini chocolate cakes drizzled with chocolate icing and fresh strawberries. “Oh, I enjoyed myself, your Grace,” Ivy replied as they waited for the waitress to finish filling their cups. “You have more than spoiled me.” “It was just a…-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ After seeing Sir Bryson off, Carina finished a rather quiet breakfast with Hana and Ivy before setting out to the Capital as planned. The sapphire blue horizon layered in milky white clouds accompanied by a steady cool breeze promised a comfortable journey. As much as Carina tried to enjoy what might typically be called a “girls’ day out” in her old world, she found herself lost in thought more often than not, worrying about the ramifications of what looked to be a…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ Carina had as little success with sleep as Nicholas had warned. Upon returning to Bastiallano’s fortress castle, she bathed thoroughly, had her garments taken away and burned, and ate the small meal the cook had prepared for her before eventually wandering to bed. It was impossible to sleep while her mind was clouded with fears and concerns about the plague, Kirsi, and even Ivy. The Duchess eventually gave up, pulled on a warm nightrobe lined with fur, and then went…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ Carina took in a slow, quiet breath as she finished her abridged account of the night’s events, focusing on her visit to the Prime Minister Atwood, who had arrived at the beginning of her account, began taking notes on a piece of paper as she named the street with the infected well. When he wasn’t scribbling down a name or detail, he would study her muddy boots, dusty jacket, and the blood now dried to the left leg of her trousers. Nicholas spread his hands across the…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ The quiet, lantern-lit streets of Lafeara slid past like an eerie reel of nostalgia that Kirsi didn’t particularly care for. Only three lifetimes ago, the Scarlet Witch had ridden through these streets to the resounding cheer of the populace, who welcomed and honored her as their General. As if on cue, Carina resumed her vigorous protests against Kirsi’s earlier orders. Kirsi drummed her fingers against her cotton trousers impatiently and glanced back at the knight…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ Isaac felt the sudden cold before he noticed the change in the Duchess behind him. “Your-your Grace!” Physician Tobias called out worriedly from behind a knight’s shield. Kirsi appeared to sag forward for a moment as she gripped the pommel of her saddle. The white mare beneath her pranced nervously and snorted. A cloud of cold air rose from the beast’s muzzle and curled around its gray mane and pretty white ears. The Colonel’s gaze dropped to the ground beneath…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ The night air slid over her like a veil as Carina stepped down from the hospital porch and ripped off her mask. Although she would never consider the abrasive air of the slums The knights she had sent to inspect the hospital now stood on guard beside the waiting horses. Isaac moved towards them for a brief discussion as the Duchess paced in no particular direction. The drums of fear, uncertainty, and panic beat against Carina’s ribs and ears as she shook out her…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ Carina decided that the best way to avoid being noticed while entering the slums was to take a page from Eleanora’s book. It took a few last-minute adjustments to make the smallest knight uniform fit comfortably, but it was passable enough with the added jacket, cloak and hood to mask the tapered and rolled ends. “By the time we reach the slums, it will be too dark for anyone to notice,” Carina muttered as she adjusted the belt one more time then twisted from side to…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ “Are you actually going to let her threaten us like that?” Serilda’s whispered but vehement tone pulled Percy’s gaze from the spot where Maura’s wolf scriva had vanished just a moment ago. “Over a slave!?” “Let her?” Percy echoed with a dry chuckle. The Earl looked down at the ink stains on his fingers and rubbed them together thoughtfully. Percy blinked, suddenly aware of the curiously conflicted look Serilda was giving him. “And yet our The…
-
139 •
-
-
♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝♝ “What do you mean you don’t know where Jade is?” Percy emitted another haggard cough into his handkerchief before offering Carina a look of annoyance. “I mean, your little charity case decided to steal from Serilda and poison me before making her escape. I’ve done my best to track her down but I’m afraid I haven’t had any luck, so I can’t give you her exact whereabouts.” “P-poison?” Carina pressed a hand against her suddenly throbbing temple as she…
-
139 •
-
- Previous 1 … 7 8 9 … 72 Next
