LOGINShare
The Empty Chair
publish date:
2024-04-07 19:29:40
Latest chapter
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 126 Part II Unexpected Arrivals
*Anastasia*“Papa…” I breathe, the word so soft it barely disturbs the fog on the glass. “Is this you?”It feels too long since I saw sapphire eyes look after me like the world couldn’t tame that stubborn gentleness that believed in me. That I could do anything. Like my ideas were not foolish just because they were mine. Like my wanting to be better—better than blood, better than tradition, better than what they expect of a woman and a half—wasn’t some childish fantasy to be corrected.He always believed in me. That I could rule at all.And it has been too long since I last received anything that felt like him. Not a report. Not a request. Not another clipped summary of someone else’s suffering. Something warm. Something like home.I want to hear from him. I want to hear from Johan, too. I want a letter that isn’t returned unopened, isn’t swallowed by distance, and isn't lost to silence like so many prayers flung into the wind.My mind betrays me with images I shouldn’t tempt myself
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 126 It Comes Quietly
*Anastasia*I barely notice my skirt whispering against the stone as I push forward. A bit too fast to be dignified, but too intent on putting distance between myself and that room. The domed chamber falls away behind my shoulders in a blur of gold and turquoise, torches and marble and watching mouths. The doors shut somewhere behind me, heavy, final.But the warmth doesn’t follow. The fire pits can crackle and pop all they like in there, so bright and careless, pretending at comfort. But out here the corridor is immediately colder, and it feels personal. As if the chill seeps through the seams of my very slippers like an unwavering judgement at everything I do. Relentlessly quiet, efficient, and straight to bone.I keep moving anyway. Press faster. Not that it changes the feeling.Because I can still feel it. The lingering gaze of both trailing after me till the very last turn. Pale brown and vermillion both. Admiral Nugen’s steady weight. The opposite to Mykhol’s…something else. So
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 125 Part II Overeach and Crash
Nugen didn’t slow.Winter slammed into him. The dry, biting air went straight for the soft places. It clawed at his cheeks and the bridge of his nose, stole the warmth from his breath the instant it left his mouth. His lungs seized around the cold, and for a heartbeat the air tasted almost familar—thin, metallic, almost electrical, the sharp scent that came before weather changed. Like the sky was deciding whether it wanted to break.But he didn’t have time to ponder if that meant more rain or something. It didn’t matter right now if it did or not.Outside, the walkway stretched bleached and brittle under the dim winter light. The fountain stood in its familiar place, near the center of the walkway. Gurgling mass should have been loud, alive—but it was caught in silence now. Iced over from the unusually frigid temperatures for Nochten. The water froze mid-spill, ice glazed over carved stone like glass set wrong. It made the familiar landmark unnatural. Again, warning that this winter
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 125 The Last Watch
*Admiral Nugen* Nugen watched Anastasia go. Watched as the vast white hall swallowed her fleeting figure quickly. Only the flash of her red shawl remained against his vision. The streak of crimson trailed behind her, lifted once behind her as a flag caught by a one final, dry breath of winter air before it fell and vanished through the archway.He watched on until even the memory of red finally faded like a dying ember in the bitter winter morn.Only then could he allow himself to stop.Not because he wasn’t afraid for her out there. He still was, more than ever now. But that was just another worry he would have to deal with.But for right now, Ana was beyond the threshold, likely to return to where her study, or rooms, or wherever else that was better than here. Because anywhere, anything, was going to be better. If it meant she was beyond his reach. Good.A bare sigh slipped from him, thin as smoke.She’s safe, he told himself. Safe.For now…But already, the words tasted like sa
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 124 Part II Crow Pie
*Ana*For a heartbeat my words just hang there, fragile as spun glass. And in that awed silence, I dare do something I’ve learned from sitting in this throne for nine years, that I ought not do. Hope.Hope they will take to this idea. Like the few rare meetings when proposals bloomed into applause, the rarer still when a new idea earns wary respect. A handful of small miracles, really, in shadow of Nochten’s staunch stance to stay traditional, but even then. Once in a while, even they had their moments.Moments to be more open minded. More accepting. More reasonable. Listen to me and–This will not be one of them.As soon as I say it, I feel the instant bite back, sharp as a spark in dry straw.“She means to bleed us!”Lady Katya’s voice, sickeningly feminine like silk over steel—cuts through the murmuring first like a knife sliding free. Her eyes, a bright cruel red, fix on me with practiced outrage, as though I have personally inconvenienced her by existing. Not that that was ever
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 124 Ashes at the Gate
*Song recommendation for this chapter: Light of the Seven by Ramin Djawadi**Ana*My gaze betrays me once again.Despite my better efforts, it slides back, quiet as a lie, to the bare stretch of court floor. Where a certain absence has started to take shape, like a physical thing all on its own. Or a mock of what used to be there. More exactly. I quietly correct.To the empty seats where the Celbests used to stand. Pillars of consistency for so many years before—Sir Celbest planted there like a ledger made flesh—silver cane tapping once, twice, in that impatient rhythm of his, as if like any blue-blooded noble that demanded presence and answers. And all the while, Pendwick beside him, stiff-backed and earnest, always overdressed as if fabric could make him just that little bit braver. False fangs in, hair neat, hands never quite knowing what to do with themselves. He would try—so carefully—not to look at me too openly. But like he was clearly holding onto my every word. Not just bec
Will Bear the Moon Problems at Home
*Ana*“They are what?” I find myself having to repeat. But it’s not like I’ve misheard it. No, my ears are sharper now. I couldn’t mishear anything if I wanted to.It’s just that I don’t want to believe it. It’s like my mind is refusing to process the words. A wall has come up to block my logical sens
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 85 Angel's Trumpet
*Ana*“Hmmn?” I stir at the strange sound. It’s a sort of insect buzz that fills the room. “Wha-” I try to speak, but my tongue is dry and stupid. I need to snap my mouth a few times to get the saliva working before I try again.“Crickets? Why?” I slowly open my eyes as the sound drones on. I see the
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 81 Telephone
*Hidi*Inside Hidi’s room, Hidi’s heart twitched with excitement. It was terrible of her, too, but Hidi couldn’t help but relish that Nicoli was in her room. Nicoli had followed her in all the way voluntarily. He’s so trusting. Hidi thought as she worked on the contraption. But shouldn’t the boy know
Will Bear the Moon Chapter 78 Hangover Breakfast
*Belinda*Belinda sat alone at the finest table. She was partly glad to have chosen to have it set up outside. Though it was morning, she could already feel it had the potential to be a hot day later.So, it was the perfect time to enjoy the sights of the trimmed lawn and pristine flowers comfortably.
You may also like
Married at First Sight
Gu Lingfei32.3M viewsSpoiled by Mr. Russell
Luminous Night1.0M viewsForceful Marriage: Young Master's Mute Wife
A Lake’s Depth1.2M viewsPregnant and Favored: See You in the Morning, Young Master
Miss Yu922.9K viewsThe Billionaires Greatest Regret
Jessechi122 viewsThe Billionaire's Curvy Prize
Zal149 viewsThe Thin Redline Between Love and Hate
Novella Wright19 viewsTHE LAST DANCE
Osmosis_writes✍️39 views
