Novels by Deevynewrites

"No."The word left my mouth before anyone else could speak. Every face in the council chamber turned toward me. Tristan had just finished explaining his plan, and although I understood why he wanted to do it, I couldn't allow it."I won't accept this."Tristan frowned. "Pandora…."I shook my head. "No."King Eldric remained silent, giving me the chance to speak. The room felt heavy enough already. I didn't want it to become heavier."You want Tristan to go back to Roland and pretend he's considering the offer."King Eldric nodded once. "It may be the only way to learn what Roland is planning.""And if Roland discovers the truth?"Nobody answered. I looked from one face to another. Each of them understood the risk.nEach of them had accepted it.My chest tightened. "You're asking him to walk straight into danger."Tristan gave me a small smile. "I've walked into danger before.""Not like this.""I'll be careful.""You can't promise that."He lowered his eyes."No.""I can't."The silen

Pandora's POV"...it's urgent."The servant bowed before hurrying down the corridor. I watched Tristan disappear into another hallway as soon I entered without looking back. His shoulders were straight, but the smile he had worn all morning was gone, and the uneasy feeling in my chest only grew stronger.Something was wrong. I just didn't know what.---The next morning arrived far too quickly. The palace was quieter than usual as I made my way toward the council wing. Guards stood outside the largest chamber, and neither of them spoke as I approached.One of them pulled the heavy door open."They're waiting for you, Lady Pandora."I stepped inside.King Eldric sat at the head of the long table. Queen Sheila sat beside him, her calm expression doing little to hide the concern in her eyes. Valdanus stood near one of the tall windows with his arms folded, while Estevan leaned against the table, looking more curious than worried.Maria stood beside Queen Sheila.Tristan was the last pers

Pandora's POVThe palace was still asleep when I woke. The first rays of sunlight had only begun to peek over the eastern mountains, painting the sky in pale shades of gold. I stood by my window for a while, watching the dragon grounds below, wondering why I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled over me since yesterday.Astria lifted her head from where she rested among the younger dragons. “Something is bothering you?”I let out a sigh. “Is it really that obvious?”“Yes! Really. Is it Tristan?”I blinked. "Why would you ask that?"Astria's answer came with a gentle hum. “Because you've been thinking about him since yesterday.”"More like thinking about the way he left."“Those are not the same thing.”Before I could respond, a horn sounded from the palace gate. I leaned toward the window. A lone rider entered the courtyard. Storm.Which meant…"He's back."Tristan climbed down from his horse and stretched as though he had returned from nothing more than an early morning

"Well, Tristan... what do you choose?" Roland's hand remained stretched out between them.The moonlight filtering through the trees caught the black scales woven into his armor, making them gleam against the darkness. His expression held no impatience, as though he already believed he knew what Tristan's answer would be.Tristan looked at the open hand. Then he looked back at Roland..A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth."You really think I'm that easy?"Roland's eyebrow lifted. "I think you're standing at a crossroads.""I am.""And?"Tristan lowered his sword but made no move toward Roland. "I'm not foolish enough to make a decision like this in one night."Roland's smile remained. "No?""You've just offered me power, a dragon, and a chance to change my future."Tristan folded his arms. "Whether you're telling the truth or not, I'd be an idiot to answer without thinking."The forest fell quiet again. Roland studied him without speaking. Tristan met his gaze, refusing to look awa

"You've been watching me?".Tristan's grip tightened around his sword as he kept his eyes locked on Roland.The forest had gone completely still. Even Storm stood frozen a few steps behind him, ears pinned back as if the horse understood the danger standing before them.Roland didn't move. "I have."His voice remained calm, almost conversational. "I've watched you return to Scorish. I've watched you laugh with the soldiers, tease your cousins, and brighten a palace that had nearly forgotten how to smile."Tristan's jaw tightened. "You've been spying on us.""I've been learning.".Roland took another step, though he still kept a respectful distance. "You've always been interesting, Tristan.""I don't remember introducing myself.""You didn't have to."Roland's smile barely changed. "I know who you are.""And I know far more than your name."Tristan refused to lower his sword. "How?"Roland looked up toward the moon shining through the trees. "I have eyes everywhere."The answer sent a ch

The palace felt smaller than usual that day, as though the walls had drawn in closer around him. Tristan went through the motions he knew so well—joking with the servants, arguing lightly with Estevan over lunch, and spinning one of his impossible travel stories to make a group of young knights laugh. No one seemed to notice anything different in him, and that was exactly the point. He had spent years perfecting the art of smiling when his heart wasn't in it.Dinner passed in much the same way. King Eldric talked patrol routes with the commanders while Valdanus listened with his usual calm focus, and Pandora chimed in now and then with thoughtful questions about the villages along the eastern border. Tristan found himself stealing glances at her across the table. She looked just as kind, warm, and beautiful as she had that morning—nothing had changed for her. For him, everything had.When the meal ended, Estevan caught up with him in the hallway. "Where are you disappearing to now?" h