My Unchosen Ex Chases Reborn Me (Soren and Fiona) novel Chapter 14

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14:37 Fri, Oct 10

Chapter 14 Entwined Promises

Chapter 14 Entwined Promises

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“From this night on, my life belongs to you. Should danger shadow your path, I will spend every breath to drive it away,” Yolanda vowed, voice rough but unwavering.

The words drew a quiet warmth into Fiona’s chest. A new, stronger thread then bound them together, and the realization left her both humbled and quietly elated.

“If anyone asks about tonight’s dancer, send out a girl of similar build in my stead,” Fiona whispered. “Under these torches, no one saw clearly anyway.”

Yolanda nodded at once. “Rest easy. They will never trace the performance back to you.”

If only that were true. Someone has already recognized me. Fiona did not return to the banquet hall. Though the odds of exposure felt slim, worry gnawed her thoughts raw. If every guest discovered the secret, she wouldn’t be able to shield the Niven family’s honor.

Yet there had been no other path. The Wagner family rose and fell with the Niven family. Had scandal branded Yolanda as a traitor to the empire, Yolanda would have faced death, and the Niven family would have shared the ruin. Zachary, Stanley, Vincent, and Ulrich would have watched their careers crumble for a sin she could have prevented.

The calculations spun in her mind until dawn’s gray smudge crept under the tent flap, and still sleep refused to claim her.

Morning found her fevered and weak, the price of a night spent wrestling shadows.

The traveling physician pressed two fingers to her wrist and frowned. She had, he declared, worried herself sick, and with her frail constitution, a simple chill had slipped in behind the anxiety.

Yolanda had no interest in joining the outdoor amusements. She remained indoors, attending to Fiona with meticulous, almost sisterly devotion.

When word reached them that the rest of the party had gone hunting–apparently a rousing affair–both women felt a pang of regret, but illness kept Fiona, and therefore Yolanda, confined indoors.

“You guessed right,” Yolanda said with a small, conspiratorial smile. “Half the camp seems intent on ferreting out that mysterious dancer, yet I have sent every last busybody away.”

Fiona lay back against the embroidered pillows, eyes dull, unable to summon her usual spark.

“Oh, and just now I ran into Lord Soren,” Yolanda added, as though recalling a trifle. “He

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14:38 Fri, Oct 10

Chapter 14 Entwined Promises

inquired after your condition.”

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At the mere mention of Soren’s name, Fiona stiffened, nerves jangling like startled birds. “He only asked about my condition?” she whispered.

“He asked whether you were feeling any better. Nothing more,” Yolanda assured her, tone deliberately light.

Fiona could not fathom what new game Soren was playing. For now, I can only watch and wait.

Later that evening, Ulrich arrived to check on Fiona, Xavier trailing behind like a silent shadow.

Ordinarily, propriety forbade Fiona from receiving an unrelated gentleman, yet with Ulrich present, the visit passed muster.

“Ulrich, Mr. Xavier,” she greeted, forcing a pale smile.

“Before we set out, Aunt Meryl charged me with keeping you safe.” Ulrich sighed, sinking onto the stool beside the bed. “Now you fall ill, and I will have no suitable explanation for her when

we return.”

“Give me two days, and I will be fine,” Fiona answered brightly. “I still intend to practice mounted archery, and I will have to trouble Mr. Xavier then.”

She turned toward Xavier, hoping for a reassuring look. His expression, however, remained as cool and distant as moonlit marble–an unfamiliar chill that pricked her heart.

“No trouble at all,” he said, meeting her gaze for a heartbeat before letting it slide away, voice as even as a flat lake.

Fiona let the conversation die there, folding her hands beneath the quilt.

In her previous life, she had endured years of such indifference from Soren; the old scars left her unwilling to chase warmth that would never come.

Two days later, feeling steadier, she ventured to the training paddock. From a distance, she spotted Xavier perched on a boulder, as though keeping lonely vigil.

Because of his earlier detachment, she had never informed him of her plans, nor did she know whether he had waited there each day.

“Mr. Xavier,” Fiona called as she approached.

Xavier rose at once, brushing invisible specks from his dark sleeve. “Ms. Fiona,” he greeted,

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14:38 Fri, Oct 10

Chapter 14 Entwined Promises

formal as ever.

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