Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 8 Summary
In Chapter 8 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” Craig and Margaery share a heartfelt moment, highlighting the bond that has formed between them. Craig, with his jovial demeanor, brushes off his earlier mistake and expresses his desire to pass on his knowledge while enjoying a peaceful life. Margaery, who has lost her family, finds comfort in Craig, declaring him her only family and promising to take care of him. This emotional connection brings her solace as she recalls painful memories of her past, specifically her lost kin.
As dusk falls, Margaery bids farewell to Craig, who watches over her until she reaches the Chancellor’s estate. Upon her arrival, she is met with disapproval from her betrothed, Dominic Hadley, and his brother Avery, who criticize her simple attire. Their harsh words reveal their preoccupation with appearances and social status, as they are more concerned about their own pride than Margaery’s well-being. Despite their scorn, Margaery maintains her composure, recognizing the vanity behind their accusations.
During this tense encounter, Prince Dashnell, who is present, redirects his attention to Margaery, asking her where she had been. His gentle demeanor surprises both Dominic and Avery, who are used to his aloofness. Margaery feels a stirring warmth in his inquiry, contrasting sharply with the disdain shown by her betrothed. As they converse, Margaery reflects on her complicated past with Dashnell and her determination to reject Dominic’s advances, realizing that kindness and genuine connection hold more value than status.
As the conversation continues, Dashnell gifts Margaery a shimmering gemstone, which she catches with surprise. This gesture ignites a spark of hope within her, prompting her to reconsider her feelings toward him. However, Dominic’s jealousy resurfaces as he belittles Margaery, dismissing the significance of Dashnell’s gift. Margaery stands firm in her resolve, contemplating the implications of her interactions with both men and the potential for a brighter future away from Dominic’s oppressive presence. The chapter closes with a sense of uncertainty, as Margaery grapples with her emotions and the choices that lie ahead.
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**Chapter 8**
Craig chuckled heartily, brushing aside his earlier slip of the tongue with a wave of his hand. “Ah, snowy days are meant for listening to the gentle whisper of snowflakes as they kiss the ground, while sunny days call for basking in the warmth of the sun. And now, with you by my side to teach me about medicine and combat, I’ll have plenty of adventures ahead, mark my words!”
He leaned back in his chair, a broad grin spreading across his weathered face. “Besides, there’s always the luxury of sleep at night, and those precious midday naps are a true treasure, my dear girl.”
Margaery shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “You’re right, Craig,” she replied, her tone infused with warmth and affection.
Craig’s face, etched with the lines of time, softened at her words. “That’s my good lass. All I desire is to pass on my skills and enjoy my remaining days in tranquility. Let the others fret over life and death; I have no interest in such turmoil.”
Margaery felt a swell of emotion rise within her chest. In a world where she had lost all her kin, Craig had become her anchor. “From this day forth, Craig, you are my only family. I promise to look after you always.”
“Ah, there’s my good girl,” Craig murmured, his hand gently patting her head, a gesture that felt both comforting and familiar.
Tears threatened to spill from Margaery’s eyes as a fleeting memory danced in her mind—Raul cradling Tessa, ruffling her hair with a warmth that Margaery had once yearned for.
But that was a thing of the past. She was done chasing after the Wallen family; they were no longer her concern.
Craig was her family now, and that thought brought her solace.
As dusk settled over the horizon, casting a warm glow on the world around her, Margaery bid Craig farewell, clutching the chart he had given her tightly in her hands as she made her way home.
Craig, ever watchful, followed her quietly, ensuring her safety until she reached the grand estate of the Chancellor before slipping away into the shadows.
Oblivious to his silent vigil, Margaery approached the manor’s gates, where she spotted her betrothed, Dominic Hadley, flanked by Avery and Dashnell.
“Where have you been, dressed so plainly?” Avery snapped, his voice sharp and accusatory. “It’s late, and you haven’t even greeted His Highness!”
His intention had been to express concern, but the sight of her simple attire—so far removed from the exquisite gown he had gifted her—stung his pride in front of the prince.
A scowl darkened his features. ‘Is she trying to bring shame upon us? No wonder Russell is furious.’
Dominic’s eyes narrowed with disdain as he glared at Margaery. “Margaery, you’re being thoughtless! Apologize to His Highness—right now!”
He gestured sharply toward Dashnell, who sat composed in his wheeled chair, observing the scene with an air of quiet dignity.
Margaery bit back a smile, amusement flickering in her eyes.
She knew that Dominic was far less concerned about Dashnell’s feelings than he was about his own wounded pride. Her true crime had been outshining Tessa’s brilliance at the feast, a blow to her vanity that he couldn’t tolerate.
Dominic and his brother Avery, both ensnared by their own egos, valued nothing more than their own self-importance.
Ignoring their barbs, Margaery stepped forward and gracefully curtsied. “Your Highness,” she said, her voice steady and respectful.
Before Dashnell could respond, Avery interjected, his smile strained and forced. “Your Highness, please forgive my sister’s lack of manners. As her brother, I have failed her. I beg for your mercy—”
His words faded into an awkward silence, the tension thick in the air.
Dashnell’s gaze remained fixed solely on Margaery, as if Avery’s voice were nothing more than a fleeting whisper carried away by the wind.
When the quiet settled, Dashnell spoke, his voice gentle and warm. “Where were you this afternoon, Lady Margaery?”
There was no trace of anger in his tone—only a soothing warmth that stirred something deep within her heart.
Dominic and Avery exchanged startled glances, taken aback by Dashnell’s unexpected kindness. They had anticipated the prince’s usual aloofness, not this gentle inquiry directed at Margaery.
‘Doesn’t he avoid women?’ they thought, bewildered.
Margaery clutched a small bundle of herbs tightly in her hands, her reply steady and clear. “A chill in the air prompted me to fetch some medicine. I never imagined I would encounter Your Highness twice in one day.”
In her previous life, she and Dashnell had been on the brink of an engagement.
The king had chosen Tessa for him, but she had scorned him for his crippled legs and the cruel rumors surrounding his supposed barrenness.
Tessa, already carrying Dominic’s child in secret, had schemed to push Margaery into a marriage that would benefit her ambitions.
Eager for favor, her father and brothers had summoned Margaery from the streets, but she had uncovered Tessa’s deception—she was not truly a Wallen.
When the truth shattered the facade, Tessa had staged a kidnapping, demanding Margaery’s life in exchange for her own.
Betrayed by her family and by Dominic, Margaery had felt as if she had died that day, her bond with Dashnell severed by cruel fate.
Now, that memory sent a chill down her spine. This time, she vowed she would never marry Dominic.
So, she met Dashnell’s gaze, her heart fluttering in her chest. “My encounters today were entirely unintentional, Your Highness. If I have caused any offense, I sincerely apologize.”
Dashnell’s name carried a shadowed reputation.
As the nephew of a general and the son of the king’s favored concubine, he was both cherished and marked by his physical limitations, rumored barrenness, and frigid demeanor.
To marry him meant a life spent as his caretaker, adorned with a hollow title.
Or at least, that was what Margaery had once believed.
Now, she saw things differently. Kindness held more value than the gossip that surrounded him.
Dashnell, with all his flaws, shone brighter than Dominic, that false-hearted rogue.
With the king’s concubine, Lady Serena Higgins, to protect her, life with Dashnell promised far more than any existence she could have with Dominic.
If only she had realized this sooner. Margaery lowered her gaze, contemplating the depths of Dashnell’s heart.
Dashnell studied her in silence, his eyes deep as a still lake, reflecting the complexities of his thoughts. “Twice in one day is no mere coincidence,” he remarked softly.
He reached into his sleeve and drew out a shimmering gemstone, tossing it to her with a casual grace. “For you.”
Startled, Margaery caught it, feeling its warmth linger in her palm like a spark igniting her hopes.
“My thanks, Your Highness,” she replied, curtsying as she held the precious gem close to her heart.
Without another word, Dashnell turned his wheelchair and glided away, a mysterious shadow trailing behind him.
Margaery watched him disappear into the distance, her thoughts swirling with a mix of hope and confusion. ‘What could this mean for me?’
“Why do you just stand there?” Dominic’s voice sliced through her reverie, sharp with irritation and tinged with jealousy. “Change those rags! You may be the Chancellor’s daughter, but you look like a beggar.”
Before she could respond, he sneered, “Do you really think that trinket makes you his treasure?”
Margaery faced him, her brow slightly furrowed in contemplation.
Dominic faltered for a moment, then scoffed dismissively. “It’s just a crumb for a stray. If he cares for anyone, it’s Tessa—not you, you pitiful thing.”
Conclusion
In the quiet aftermath of the day’s tumultuous events, Margaery found herself at a crossroads, her heart heavy yet buoyed by the unexpected kindness of Dashnell. The warmth of Craig’s unwavering support and the promise of a newfound family filled the void left by her past, allowing her to envision a future unbound by the chains of betrayal and false expectations. As she clutched the shimmering gemstone in her palm, a symbol of hope and possibility, she recognized the strength that lay within her to forge her own path. No longer would she be a pawn in the games of others; she would embrace her identity, guided by her own desires and the bonds she chose to nurture.
With each step toward the grand estate, Margaery felt the weight of Dominic’s disdain and jealousy merely slide off her shoulders like water off a duck’s back. The echoes of his scorn faded into the background as she recalled Craig’s laughter and Dashnell’s gentle gaze, reminding her that true worth was not measured by titles or the approval of those who sought to belittle her. Instead, it was found in the connections she cultivated and the courage to stand firm in her convictions. Margaery was ready to confront the challenges ahead, fortified by the love she had discovered in unexpected places, and determined to shape her own destiny, one whisper at a time.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter of *Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows*, tensions will undoubtedly escalate as Margaery grapples with the implications of Dashnell’s unexpected kindness and the gemstone he gifted her. With Dominic’s jealousy simmering beneath the surface, readers can anticipate a clash between the two men vying for Margaery’s attention, each representing a different path for her future. Will Margaery find the courage to embrace her newfound feelings for Dashnell, or will the weight of her past and the expectations placed upon her by Dominic and society pull her back into a life of subservience?
Moreover, as Margaery navigates the treacherous waters of courtly politics, she will face challenges that test her loyalty to Craig and her burgeoning independence. The warmth of Craig’s mentorship and the familial bond they’ve forged may be put to the test as Margaery finds herself caught between the expectations of her betrothed and her desire for a life filled with genuine connections. Will she be able to carve out a space for herself amidst the chaos, or will the shadows of her past continue to haunt her decisions? The next chapter promises to deepen the intrigue and explore the complexities of love, loyalty, and self-discovery in a world where every choice carries weighty consequences.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
