Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 16 Summary
In Chapter 16 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” Margaery pushes Dashnell’s wheelchair through quiet corridors, feeling a mix of anticipation and uncertainty as they approach a carriage. Adam Elkins, Dashnell’s guard, formally invites Margaery to join them, a rare courtesy from the royal figure. Despite her initial hesitation, Margaery accepts Dashnell’s invitation and feels an unexpected warmth as he takes her hand, pulling her into a moment of intimacy that leaves her breathless.
As the carriage begins to move, Margaery and Dashnell engage in a conversation that reveals deeper emotions. Dashnell’s inquiry about a warming gemstone he gifted her leads to a moment of vulnerability for Margaery, who reflects on her past struggles and the lack of recognition from her family. Dashnell’s understanding words resonate with her, making her realize that there are still people who see her worth, contrasting sharply with her family’s perception of her. This connection deepens as they arrive at the Royal Medical Hall, a place filled with painful memories for Margaery.
Upon entering the hall, Margaery is reminded of her past interactions with Avery, her brother, and the irony of her previous experiences there. She recalls how her skills once earned her praise, only to be betrayed later by Avery. As she navigates her feelings, Dashnell encourages her to find Avery, promising a reward if she succeeds. Margaery’s determination to confront her brother grows, fueled by the hope Dashnell’s smile brings her.
When Margaery finally finds Avery amidst a chaotic scene at the Royal Medical Hall, she boldly confronts him about his actions, challenging his authority and the consequences of his choices. The tension escalates as she accuses him of risking her life with his reckless behavior. Margaery’s resolve to stand up against Avery highlights her growth and the strength she has gained from her interactions with Dashnell. The chapter concludes with a sense of impending confrontation, as Margaery refuses to back down, determined to seek justice and assert her worth.
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**Chapter 16**
As Margaery pushed Dashnell’s wheelchair through the quiet corridors, a carriage came into view, its polished surface gleaming under the dim light. She felt a flutter of anticipation mixed with uncertainty.
Adam Elkins, Dashnell’s steadfast guard, stepped forward, his demeanor formal as he offered a fist-to-heart salute. “Your Highness, please get in,” he urged, his eyes flickering towards Margaery with an intensity that made her uneasy.
Despite the years Adam had spent in Dashnell’s service, this was an unprecedented moment. Dashnell had never allowed a woman this close, much less permitted her to maneuver his wheelchair. Margaery sensed the weight of Adam’s gaze, something unspoken lingering in the air, but she dismissed it, letting go of the wheelchair and stepping aside.
With practiced ease, Adam assisted Dashnell into the carriage and folded the wheelchair with a swift motion.
“If you don’t mind, Lady Margaery, would you care to join us for the ride?” Dashnell’s voice drifted from within the carriage, ending with a polite “please” that raised immediate alarms in Margaery’s mind. Such courtesy was a rarity for someone of his royal stature.
“Lady Margaery, please,” he reiterated, his tone almost coaxing.
Adam had intended to help Margaery into the carriage as well, but he hesitated. Given Dashnell’s respectful invitation, he thought it best to refrain from overstepping his bounds.
Margaery, however, was more than capable of managing on her own. She may not have been the most formidable in a physical confrontation, but climbing into a carriage was hardly an insurmountable challenge.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” she replied, her voice steady as she prepared to step inside.
But just then, a hand extended from the carriage, beckoning her.
Margaery lifted her gaze to meet Dashnell’s. He sat there, his posture regal, an aura of icy beauty surrounding him. His calm, penetrating eyes seemed to ensnare her, pulling her closer as if by invisible strings. There was no turning back now.
Her eyes fell to his strong wrist, and she felt a warmth rise to her cheeks, a sensation she was not accustomed to. Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his palm, whispering, “Thank you.”
Before she could draw her hand back, his fingers closed around hers, firm yet gentle.
In a heartbeat, she found herself seated beside him, the carriage jolting to life. The world outside was obscured by the walls, yet Margaery felt a dizzying sensation wash over her, as though she were under a spell.
Curiosity compelled her to lift a corner of the curtain, peeking outside, but her heart raced uncontrollably, an erratic drumbeat in her chest.
Dashnell broke the silence, his voice low and contemplative. “Did you wear the warming gemstone I gave you yesterday?”
“Yes,” Margaery replied, nodding. The gemstone rested comfortably against her skin, radiating warmth that enveloped her like a cozy blanket.
“But Your Highness, such a precious gift is far too extravagant for someone like me to repay,” she added, a hint of embarrassment coloring her tone.
Dashnell remained silent, his expression unreadable, leaving Margaery to wonder what thoughts swirled in his mind. She sensed his gaze upon her, but the thought of turning to meet it filled her with trepidation.
As the carriage rolled on, they soon arrived at the Royal Medical Hall.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Margaery asked, “Why do you believe I was not the queen bee at home, but merely a punching bag?”
Their previous encounters replayed in her mind. He had helped her up without a hint of disdain, gifted her a gemstone, and now suggested she should have sought refuge in Craig sooner to escape the torment of her family.
It felt as though he had been an unseen witness to her struggles, despite his own limitations and the confines of his home.
Margaery pondered his true nature. ‘Was he truly as others portrayed him?’
Dashnell’s response was simple yet profound. “You do not appear to be someone who bullies others.”
His words struck her deeply, causing her eyes to glisten with unshed tears. She turned her gaze to the swirling snowstorm outside, her voice barely a whisper. “Your words mean more to me than you can imagine.”
In that moment, she realized that there were still souls in the world who believed in her goodness, who saw beyond the facade crafted by her family.
Even her father, brother, and fiancé had failed to see her worth, yet here was Dashnell, a man she had met only twice, standing resolutely by her side.
“Let us proceed,” Dashnell said, turning his wheelchair with determination. “If all goes as planned, Avery should be at the Royal Medical Hall today.”
Margaery trailed closely behind him, acutely aware of the unspoken bond forming between them. This time, he made no request for her to push him, and she respected that boundary, allowing Adam to remain a respectful distance behind them.
This was not Margaery’s first visit to the Royal Medical Hall; memories of her past life flickered in her mind like shadows.
In her previous existence, she had rushed here on numerous occasions, often under dire circumstances.
It was ironic, she mused, how Avery had treated her back then. Despite his disdain, she had always been there to provide him with medicine whenever he needed it.
The first time she had assisted him, she had cured the Queen, earning Avery accolades from the King. Then, she had healed the King himself, which had propelled Avery to the head of the Royal Medical Hall.
Yet, the irony was cruel; it had ultimately led to her demise when he poisoned her, leaving her to endure unimaginable suffering.
As she stood in this familiar place once more, the weight of those memories settled heavily in her chest.
Dashnell regarded her with a penetrating gaze. “Have you been here before?”
Margaery turned back to him, shaking her head. “No, but I feel as though I may have dreamt of this place, which is why I was lost in thought.”
“Dreamt?”
Dashnell raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his tone. “If you’ve dreamed of it, you must know which room your brother Avery occupies. Go find him. If you locate him on your first try, I’ll grant you the opportunity to ask me for help.”
“Really?” Margaery’s eyes sparkled with hope as she turned to him, her heart lifting.
“Absolutely,” Dashnell replied, his gentle smile radiating warmth.
That smile held a certain magic, capable of brightening the darkest of days. Margaery felt her own lips curve into a smile as she declared, “For that chance, I will certainly find him.”
Dashnell’s smile deepened, a captivating bloom that seemed to drain the color from the world around them.
With a quick farewell, Margaery dashed towards the third row of rooms at the back. She pushed open a door and stepped inside.
Inside, over ten physicians bustled about, engaged in a flurry of activity. Some were writing prescriptions, others were poring over records, while a few gathered medicine, all in a whirlwind of urgency.
Avery was hunched over, deep in negotiation with Doctor Nolan Fischer, a man of seventy years, as he pleaded, “Doc… it’s not for me, but for my father? Just one glance at Tessa, that’s all I’m asking.”
“Margaery?” Avery’s voice broke through the commotion as he turned, surprised to see her.
His frown deepened as he pulled her aside. “What are you doing here? We need to talk outside.”
“No, we should address this here; it pertains to the Royal Medical Hall,” Margaery insisted, stepping away from his grasp and facing Doctor Fischer directly.
“Doctor Fischer, here’s the situation: my brother took a prescription I borrowed from someone else and placed it in the Royal Medical Hall’s storage.”
“What did you just say?” Nolan’s expression shifted from surprise to confusion as he turned to Avery. “Avery! What is happening here?”
Having led the Royal Medical Hall for over forty years, Nolan had never encountered a scenario where someone demanded answers in such a bold manner.
His brow furrowed, and Avery felt a wave of dread wash over him, fearing that everything was spiraling out of control.
“It’s not what it seems. Margaery is just being dramatic…” he stammered, forcing a few hollow laughs as he struggled to defend himself, but the words eluded him.
Seeing his flustered state, Margaery interjected, “Avery, I’m not being dramatic.”
“Those bruises on your face? That’s payment for swiping other people’s medical scripts last night, isn’t it? Now they want every single formula back, or they’ll beat me to a pulp. What’s your move?”
She stepped forward, her tone earnest, “Avery, don’t tell me you want me dead?”
Conclusion
In the unfolding tapestry of Margaery’s journey, the carriage ride with Dashnell marked a pivotal moment, a delicate intertwining of hope and vulnerability. As they navigated the familiar yet fraught corridors of the Royal Medical Hall, Margaery felt the weight of her past pressing against her, each memory a shadow that threatened to consume her. Yet, within the warmth of Dashnell’s presence, she discovered a flicker of belief in her worth—a belief that had been so cruelly extinguished by those she once called family. His words, simple yet profound, resonated within her, igniting a spark of resilience that she thought long extinguished. For the first time, she sensed the possibility of reclaiming her narrative, of stepping beyond the confines of her identity as a mere victim.
As Margaery confronted her brother Avery, the culmination of her emotional arc became evident. No longer willing to be silenced or overshadowed, she stood firm, her voice steady and unwavering against the backdrop of chaos. The confrontation was not merely about the stolen prescriptions; it was a declaration of her agency, a refusal to allow her past to dictate her future. In that moment, she transformed from a mere bystander in her own life to a formidable force, ready to challenge the very foundations of her family’s legacy. With Dashnell’s unwavering support and her own newfound strength, Margaery was poised to rewrite her story, embracing the uncertain yet exhilarating path ahead. The whispers of her past began to fade, replaced by the promise of distant tomorrows, shaped by her courage and the bonds she was forging anew.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” readers can anticipate a deepening of the intricate dynamics between Margaery, Dashnell, and Avery. As tensions rise within the Royal Medical Hall, Margaery’s bold confrontation of her brother will undoubtedly set the stage for a dramatic unraveling of their fraught family ties. The stakes are higher than ever, and the very foundation of their relationships may be put to the test as secrets long buried begin to resurface. Will Margaery’s bravery lead to a breakthrough in her relationship with Avery, or will it only serve to exacerbate the existing rift?
Moreover, Dashnell’s presence looms large, his enigmatic nature promising to reveal more layers of complexity. Will he emerge as an ally for Margaery, offering her the support she desperately needs, or will his own struggles complicate matters further? The carriage ride may have forged an unexpected bond between them, but the true nature of their connection remains shrouded in mystery. As they navigate the tumultuous waters of their intertwined fates, readers will be eager to discover how Dashnell’s unique perspective on Margaery’s worth might influence her journey toward self-acceptance and empowerment.
Prepare for a chapter filled with tension, revelations, and the potential for transformation as Margaery steps into her own power. With the Royal Medical Hall serving as a backdrop for confrontations and alliances, the narrative promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next twist in this captivating tale.
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.
