STUPID … SHE WAS SO STUPID. Larice couldn’t believe she just wasted her time with these beasts … these … stupid liars—especially that Raeherys. She had thought she would find a clue from him about the truth she was seeking, so she had agreed to talk in here. But it all turned out—he only gave her lies. A war? A whole thunder of dragons flying here? Did he think he could fool her by making such excuses? Did he think he could stop her from going to their isles? Not a damn chance. No one could stop her from getting what she wanted—because from what she had learned after leaving Shavath, no one could control her life but her. Larice strode towards the table where Estevan and the other beast had been seated. They appeared to be discussing a serious topic, and she hated to break it. “Settle the payments. We will go now,” she told him, her tone hinting no patience. “Huh?” Estevan lifted his head, eyebrows questioning her as if he didn’t seem t

LARICE KEPT ON LOSING every single round. Why? She was too distracted by those eyes … those stupid, golden eyes staring at her. Seriously, what’s his problem? It made her extremely conscious of her face, wondering if something was wrong with it. Every time she caught Raeherys watching her, he would avoid her eyes immediately and pretend to look at the skies, while speaking with his older friend or father or whoever that old man was. She swore she would stab those eyes with Gray Viper if he wouldn’t stop staring. Sweat trickled on her face, down to her neck as her breath shortened, her throat drying out. Larice had been sparring with Sevyh for several rounds now, as she wanted to master her ability in creating ice weapons. So far, she could already cast much quicker than before. She also found out that it must come with two conditions. One, her blood flow had to be fast enough, as the quicker the blood flowed, the easier and faster it would be f

LARICE HASTED THROUGH THE LONG TUNNEL to go after the scout. She must not let him reach the left tower. “Those stupid beasts!” Larice whispered, panting. What was he thinking? Or was it his father who had told him to attack? After all, as what she had noticed so far; he was like a puppet, following whatever his father would tell him to do. Dependence was only for the weak. Those who could not stand on their own should’ve stayed as babies, sucking their mother’s teats. Larice chased the hunter, entering the left archway at the end, then through a dark, narrow tunnel, then a few turns of left and right, until she reached the spiral staircases leading up to the top of the tower. But the scout wasn’t there anymore when she searched around. He could’ve not been that fast enough to reach the top. Larice listened carefully. The piercing clangs of steels echoed from the gatehouse. Other than that, she could hear nothing else except her strong p

A SUSPICIOUS GAZE WAS ALL she could give to Raeherys, wondering what he wanted to achieve by holding her hand. But if he ever planned to blow even a tiny spark of ember at her, she swore she would push him off the edge—if not, jump off herself—no second thoughts. When Raeherys asked her again, she pursed her lips, glanced at his hand upfront, and then returned her gaze towards his face. “I’m not stupid, beast,” she said. “I know what you’re trying to do.” Raeherys gave her a puzzled look, blinking his eyes—but when he realized what she’d meant, he sighed. “I’m not going to burn your hand, I promise.” “I don’t trust you.” “You don’t trust anyone.” “Then why are you still asking?” His golden eyes became serious, looking straight at her. “I’m not asking you to trust me. I’m only asking you to hold my hand for a second.” Her eyes fell to his hand once again. Nervous. She had never held a guy’s hand for so long. The last tim

LARICE HAD NO IDEA why she was smiling, as it had been a very long time. A smile was like her mask she had long lost ever since she had been a child. It brightened up her dark world in just a slight, as to how a tiny candle burned amidst the darkest winter night. Countless blinking stars fell closer as if she could already reach out to catch one. It was more than she could’ve ever dreamed of. It reminded her of the time when she’s still in Sunvar City. Once every fortnight, the five of them; Faran, her three children, and Larice … had always played and joked and gossiped, lying on a blanket upon the roof of the inn while gazing at the stars. The sweet memory made her smile, but then she frowned after recalling the incident she had caused. “What’s wrong?” Raeherys asked when he seemed to notice the change in her expression. “Nothing,” she said. “I just remembered something …” she trailed off, then she shook her head, “Forget it. Not that it matters now, anyway