Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 9 Summary
In Chapter 9 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” Dominic grapples with intense feelings of envy and frustration as he reflects on his relationship with Tessa, a figure of light in his life, contrasting sharply with Margaery’s sharp wit and biting sarcasm. Margaery’s sardonic remarks about her own worthiness compared to Tessa reveal her underlying pain and jealousy. The tension escalates when Dominic inadvertently catches Margaery’s arm, leading to a confrontation where he expresses his irritation and confusion over their changing dynamic. Their once close bond, filled with innocent affection, has soured, leaving Dominic feeling trapped between his past feelings for Margaery and his emerging love for Tessa.
As Margaery challenges Dominic’s behavior, asserting her independence and honor, Dominic’s frustration deepens. He recalls their childhood closeness and struggles with the realization that his feelings have shifted. Margaery’s disdainful response to his attempts to assert propriety signifies a turning point in their relationship, as she no longer accepts the role of the obedient betrothed. This leaves Dominic bewildered and angry, questioning Margaery’s transformation from a devoted companion to a resentful rival. The emotional stakes rise as he grapples with his feelings for Tessa and the bitter reality of his betrothal to Margaery.
Margaery’s resolve hardens as she contemplates how to reclaim her power in the face of Dominic’s perceived betrayal. Her determination to outwit him and turn the tables adds a layer of complexity to their relationship, suggesting that she is no longer the passive figure she once was. Meanwhile, Dominic’s anger simmers as he reflects on Margaery’s coldness and the implications of her actions, particularly regarding Prince Dashnell’s gift to Tessa. This jealousy fuels a growing fire within him, leading to a plan with his friend Avery to uncover the truth behind Margaery’s sudden change in demeanor.
The chapter concludes with Dominic’s internal struggle as he wrestles with his feelings of inadequacy and anger towards Margaery and Dashnell. His frustration over Margaery’s rejection and the perceived threat from Dashnell intensifies, leaving him feeling embattled and consumed by jealousy. As he prepares to confront these challenges, the emotional turmoil within him sets the stage for further conflict and revelation in the story.
Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below
**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows**
**by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 9**
Dominic’s heart simmered with a potent mix of envy and frustration as he thought of Tessa. She was a radiant presence, a beacon of light in his otherwise tumultuous world.
Margaery, with her sharp wit and cunning demeanor, stood before him, a sardonic smile playing on her lips. “Well said, Lord Dominic. Tessa’s a rare pearl, a heavenly vision—nothing like a wretched creature like me.” Her words dripped with sarcasm, yet there was an undercurrent of truth that stung.
“Keep your distance, my lord, lest my shadow dims your honor,” she murmured, her fingers clutching the warm gemstone as she brushed past him, leaving a faint scent of lavender in her wake.
Dominic’s brow furrowed as he scowled, catching her arm in a moment of impulse. “What’s that supposed to mean?” His irritation was palpable, his eyes darkening with frustration. “I meant you, not Tessa!”
They had shared countless memories as children, their laughter echoing in the halls of their youth. Margaery had once called him “Dear Dominic” with such warmth that it felt like a hug. But now, the stiff title of “Lord Dominic” stung like a bee, igniting an uneasy pang in his chest.
Was that truly what he meant? No—what he truly meant was that the ninth prince would never desire Margaery.
Only he, Dominic, was her true match.
Yet, his words seemed to sail past her, lost in the tension that hung between them.
With a cool gaze, she turned, slipping her arm free from his grasp. “A gentleman minds his manners, Lord Dominic. Pray, do the same.”
Dominic stared at his empty hand, a wave of disappointment washing over him. Those were his words, once used to chide her, to remind her of propriety.
Their childhood had been filled with moments of closeness—hands brushing, arms linked, even the rare stolen embrace that had felt so innocent at the time.
Before Tessa had come into his life, he had thought Margaery was the one who held his heart.
But Tessa, with her delicate beauty, had stirred something deep within him, a protective instinct that surged with a single glance.
Now, Margaery, sharp and envious, no longer fit into his dreams.
He had drawn back, rebuffing her with a firm, “A lady keeps her distance, Lady Margaery. Show some propriety!”
The tables had turned, and now Margaery regarded him with weary disdain, her eyes reflecting a mixture of hurt and anger.
“You’d spurn me?” Dominic’s voice tightened as he followed her retreating figure, desperation creeping into his tone. “We’re still betrothed, or have you forgotten?”
“I haven’t forgotten,” Margaery replied, pausing to meet his gaze with an intensity that made his heart race. “But we’re not wed yet, are we? You’ve taught me that a lady guards her honor. I’ve listened.”
Her eyes lingered on him, a faint smile teasing at her lips. “Are you not pleased?”
It sounded like a plea for acknowledgment, but it cut him like a blade. “Margaery Wallen!” he growled, her name sharp on his tongue, a bitter taste lingering in his mouth.
Unfazed by his anger, she spoke calmly, “I’ll ask the tutor at Inkwell Academy if it’s proper for a man to dote so on his betrothed’s sister, embracing her freely.
“If so, perhaps I’ll find another’s arms to match my future husband’s virtue.”
“What—” Dominic trembled with rage, his face flushed with indignation. “I held Tessa because she’s frail! Must you be jealous of that?”
His voice boomed, echoing in the chilly air, but guilt flickered in his eyes. He knew that his moments with Tessa weren’t entirely innocent; the secrets they shared were not the kind to be aired in polite company.
‘How had Margaery turned so cold?’ he wondered, his heart heavy with confusion. ‘She used to cling to me, jealous and pleading, begging me to leave Tessa for her.
‘What had happened to her to speak so sharply now?’
“Well, aren’t you a saint, Lord Dominic?” Margaery scoffed, her voice laced with bitterness.
With a bitter laugh, she turned and swept away, leaving him standing there, feeling abandoned and bewildered.
In another life, he had already secretly pledged himself to Tessa by now.
He had envisioned the family banquet as the moment when Margaery’s tears would provide him the justification he needed—her lack of grace and her cruel heart would break their betrothal with righteous ease.
But now, she saw it clearly: ten days from now, at the Minister’s estate feast, Dominic would cast her aside before all, leaving her a mocked and abandoned fiancée.
Not this time. She would outwit him. She would make Dominic choke on his schemes.
Margaery gripped the warming gemstone tightly, her resolve hardening as she hurried into Gracewind Garden.
Dominic remained outside, standing in the biting wind, glaring after her, his blood boiling. “Is she bewitched? Prating about ‘proper conduct’? She, who used to trail me like a shadow!
“Now she dares scorn me? Has she lost her senses?”
His anger smoldered quietly, a fire kindling in his heart. ‘Yes, I favor Tessa now, but is that not because Margaery has turned so bitter, ever stirring trouble?
‘And if we are to part, should it not be by my will? Since when does Margaery hold the right to judge me?’
The thought burned fiercely, and then there was Dashnell, gifting her that jade for no reason.
It left a bitter taste in his mouth, like biting into sour sloes.
‘What makes her so special?’ he fumed inwardly.
Avery caught up with him, breathless and wide-eyed. “Dominic, why’d you rush off? I blinked, and you were gone!”
He glanced around, his irritation palpable. “Where’s Margaery?”
“Don’t mention her!” Dominic snapped, his temper flaring as he ran a hand through his hair. “You wouldn’t believe how she snubbed me. If she’s not possessed, I don’t know what she is!”
He turned to Avery, fuming. “She shrank from me, muttering about ‘manner.’ Her! Can you believe it?”
“That’s what she said?” Avery’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wasn’t she always chasing you?”
“Exactly!” Dominic cried out, as if Avery had voiced the very frustration that churned within him. “And now she acts like I’m beneath her?”
Avery frowned, deep in thought. “She’s been odd lately—apologizing to Tessa, giving away our gifts, treating us so coldly. It’s not her.”
He stepped closer to Dominic, his gaze fixed on Gracewind Garden. “No one changes that fast. What if a spirit’s taken her?”
Avery’s face lit with determination. “Here’s a plan, Dominic. Let’s visit the Hall of Divinity, borrow the High Priest’s walnut-wood sword, and test her tonight.
“If a dark spirit’s at work, the priest will know what to do.”
“Done,” Dominic agreed, nodding sharply, a flicker of hope igniting within him.
He had meant to see Tessa, to bask in her warmth, but the thought had soured in light of his anger. And Dashnell’s gift gnawed at him like a persistent itch. “What was Prince Dashnell thinking?” he muttered, irritation rising. “He shuns women. Why give her jade?”
The more he dwelled on it, the hotter his resentment burned. ‘A woman I discard should be scorned, fit only for a butcher’s hand.
‘But now Prince Dashnell favors her? It makes me look unworthy!’
The thought ignited a fire in his heart, a blaze of jealousy and anger that threatened to consume him.
Conclusion
As the echoes of their childhood laughter faded into the shadows of their current reality, Dominic found himself trapped between the remnants of a once-cherished bond and the intoxicating allure of newfound affection. Margaery’s sharp words cut deeper than he had anticipated, revealing the cracks in their relationship that had widened with each passing day. The warmth that had once enveloped them was now replaced by a chilling distance, leaving Dominic grappling with feelings of guilt and confusion. He had chosen Tessa, yet the weight of Margaery’s disdain hung heavily on his heart, forcing him to confront the complexities of love and loyalty. The fire of jealousy that blazed within him was not solely aimed at Tessa’s delicate beauty or Dashnell’s unexpected gift; it was a reflection of his own insecurities, a battle between the past and the uncertain future.
In the midst of this turmoil, a flicker of hope emerged as Dominic resolved to confront the shifting dynamics of his relationships. The idea of seeking the truth about Margaery’s sudden coldness ignited a sense of purpose within him, prompting him to take action rather than succumb to despair. With Avery by his side, the journey to the Hall of Divinity symbolized not just a quest for answers, but also a reclamation of agency in a world that felt increasingly out of his control. As he stepped forward, the weight of his emotions began to lighten, hinting at the possibility of healing and understanding. Perhaps, in unraveling the mystery behind Margaery’s transformation, he could also find clarity in his own heart, paving the way for a future where whispers of love and friendship could shape distant tomorrows anew.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As tensions mount between Dominic and Margaery, the stakes are rising higher than ever. In the next chapter, readers can expect a deeper exploration of the complex emotions swirling within Dominic as he grapples with his feelings for both Tessa and Margaery. Will the simmering jealousy he feels towards Prince Dashnell’s interest in Tessa push him to confront his own heart’s desires? With the impending feast at the Minister’s estate just days away, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation, and secrets long buried may come to the surface.
Moreover, Avery’s suggestion to visit the Hall of Divinity introduces an intriguing layer of supernatural mystery. As they seek to uncover whether a dark spirit has taken hold of Margaery, readers will be drawn into a world of ancient rituals and whispered incantations. The journey to the Hall promises to test their friendship and resolve, while the looming confrontation with Margaery could lead to revelations that change everything. Will Dominic find the clarity he seeks, or will the shadows of jealousy and doubt cloud his judgment even further? Prepare for a chapter filled with emotional turmoil, unexpected alliances, and the tantalizing possibility of love’s true nature being revealed.
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.
