AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“My assistant, Cam, is a resourceful one,” she began, unwinding the thread that looped over the seal. “Within hours, he’s managed to unearth all of Almanera’s letters from our archives. They date back ten years.”
I clasped my fingers together, waiting somewhat patiently as the thread came undone.
A sheaf of papers fell into her lap, and she handed them to me without preamble.
As I rifled through them, she spoke.
“The first few letters were written a year apart. They requested an audience with me regarding matters of borderland governance. There’s a note from our council saying we sent someone to address the issue. Even then, year after year, he wrote in, asking to speak to me.”
A little red tag stuck out from one of the letters, and I reached for that first.
“Around the eight-year mark, his tone began to change,” Zoei explained as I scanned its contents.
“I see,” I murmured, reading aloud from the letter. “I am deeply saddened by the events of late. Individuals claiming authority from a kingdom to the east may have been involved in land disputes and intimidation along the border. Such actions would be entirely contrary to our principles and values. We will conduct a thorough investigation into these reports and ensure that any wrongdoers are held accountable for their actions.”
“In light of these unfortunate developments, I wish to reiterate our commitment to peaceful resolution and diplomacy through full self-governance.”
I glanced up sharply.
“A kingdom to the east,” I repeated. “Did he insinuate that Vetri is involved in land disputes and intimidation of the border people?”
“Yes, he meant to sow discord between us."
“But…” I paused, too surprised for words. “That’s absurd! We are a peaceful farming folk. And besides, the Vetri council reported that Agnivale was encroaching our borderlines near Boroville.”
Zoei gazed at me for a moment, a thoughtful frown pinching her brows.
“Your man Haladay confirmed that Vetri received a similar letter. Almanera was playing both sides, trying to get a rise out of us.”
My expression mirrored hers. “That seems too risky. What if we were able to match the letters and figure out what he’d done?”
“The feud between our families isn’t a secret, Olly,” Zoei said with a sigh. “Almanera must have known that and taken advantage of the fact that all our correspondence is done through a liaison, and never directly.”
“So there wouldn’t be a chance for us to discuss this face-to-face.”
“And discover his deceit,” she concluded. “There was already conflict between our clans, and the encroachment of borderlines would only fan the flames of our political rivalry.”
I placed a hand on her knee, and she paused mid-speech.
“I need you to hear me on this, Zoei,” I said, my voice gentle but resolute. “I do not consider you a rival—never have, and never will. Whatever feuds our parents held will die with them. I don’t want us to be held back by misunderstandings that were created by someone else’s mistakes. You and I—we’re a clean slate.Wedecide what’s written in our future. We don’t inherit our parents’ traumas. Do you understand?”
My words hung in the air, heavy with sincerity and longing. I needed Zoei to understand the truth, to see beyond the misconceptions and doubts that had clouded our relationship.
“It’s time to break the cycle, Zo,” I whispered. “We need to create a future that’s truly our own.”
For so long, we had carried the burden of generational pain, and I’d wondered time and again if we were destined to repeat the patterns of the past.
But now, in this moment, I wanted Zoei’s affirmation that we were forging a different path, one defined byourchoices.
“I…” Zoei’s hand cupped mine, and I felt her warmth seep into my skin. “I want that—"
Everything sheeted a brilliant white. The deafening sound of an explosion like a thunderclap reverberated through the air. Where Zoei’s pensive face had filled my vision before, now only smoke and a flash of white flickered. The disorienting haze clouded my vision, making it impossible to discern anything in the blinding brightness.
My ears rung sharply. Panic surged within my chest as I called out for Zoei desperately. I flexed my legs back and forth, hoping to find her in the mess.
Instead, the hovercraft rattled and shook with the wrath of an angry Goddess. I clutched the seats, holding on for dear life.
“What’s happening!”
