Chapter One
Josiah Stonewell consumed my every waking thought. I knew how he liked his coffee. How he preferred the summer heat to the chill of winter. I could predict his actions based upon the way his nose wrinkled while reading the morning news. I had a borderline obsession with a man I could never have. Josiah Stonewell was not only the love of my life, he was also my holder.
It was a chilly morning despite the summer season. I placed a breakfast plate in front of Josiah and covertly admired the way the sunlight danced along his blond hair. I noticed grey circles beneath his bright-blue eyes and bit my tongue to hold back the concern that practically poured out of me.
I couldn’t help but worry that he was pushing himself too hard lately. Taking over his father’s job was out of character for the artistic boy I knew well, and each day pushed him farther and farther into the cynical beliefs of the capital. I could sense that the corruptions of the Galla province left him feeling drained and depressed.
“Thank you for breakfast, Ashleigh,” he said in a sleepy voice that made my stomach clench. Its thick and gravelly tone was delicious. I wanted to dive right in and take a bite. No matter what Josiah did, I couldn’t help but want him. My addiction was both dangerous and heavenly.
“You’re welcome, Josiah,” I replied sweetly.
“That’s Master Stonewell to you,” said a proper and high-pitched voice that filled the finely-furnished dining room.
Josiah’s mother, Linda Stonewell, was a nasty combination of distinguished and prideful. Although I will forever be thankful that she procured me when I was orphaned as a young girl, she consistently reminded me of my place in the Stonewell household. I was an attendant in their home, or as commonly called in our society, a Walker.
Josiah smiled at me, causing my cheeks to blush a ruddy hue. We’ve known each other almost our entire lives, and sometimes it was difficult to remember that he was my holder. We spent the majority of our childhood together, sharing secrets and secluding ourselves from the world. Despite our drastic, socioeconomic differences, we were kindred souls.
I was procured at the age of three, but it wasn’t until I turned seven that Mistress Stonewell demanded that I refer to Josiah as ‘Master Stonewell.’ She saw our friendship as a threat to his wellbeing and placed a respectable amount of distance between us. She sought out every opportunity to brand me with the Walker status. I received the highest training in cooking and household management while enduring her outrageous demands.
The life of a Walker was exhausting, but I looked forward to the evenings. After I spent my day scrubbing floors and cooking their meals, Josiah would sneak into my small room and gift me with a glimpse into what our life would be like if I weren’t a Walker. Although we maintained a platonic relationship, the tension between us increased daily.
“I apologize, Mistress Stonewell,” I answered.
She smoothed her floor-length, crimson dress and sipped her breakfast tea with indignation. Her bright-plum lipstick and perfectly-styled hair gave the illusion that she was well put together, but I knew better. She was hanging by a thread. The entire house was.
The Stonewell Family was well-known for their influence in politics and trade. Generations of Stonewells lobbied for various laws still in place today, they also negotiated numerous alliances with neighboring provinces, securing our position as a wealthy and flourishing city-state. Almost every regulation and trade deal in existence was either crafted or signed by a Stonewell.
Before his death last year, Master Stonewell Sr. was working his way up the empirical ladder. He was projected to claim the next empty congressional seat for the entire Confederation of Dasos, but his untimely death left the family struggling to keep up with his shady, gambling debts and failing trade deals.
Josiah took his place as Governor of Galla, but he was unhappy. The violin he used to play for me—in secret—sat covered in dust at the bottom of his closet, and each day I noticed a broader slump in his shoulders.
“Ashleigh, we need to discuss a few things before you begin your daily chores,” Mistress Stonewell said while motioning for me to sit. I kneeled at her feet and bowed my head submissively while she scrolled idly on her tablet. She liked scanning the socialite and gossip columns so she could be up to date on the most recent scandals at mid-morning tea
Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 1 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 2 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 3 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 4 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 5 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 6 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 7 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 8 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 9 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 10 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 11 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 12 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 13 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 14 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 15 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 16 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 17 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 18 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 19 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 20 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 21 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 22 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 23 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 24 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 25 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 26 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 27 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 28 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 29 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 30 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 31 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 32 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 33 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 34 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 35 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 36 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 37 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 38 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 39 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 40 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 41 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 42 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 43 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 44 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 45 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 46 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 47 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 48 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 49 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 50 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 51 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 52 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 53 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 54 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 55 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 56 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 57 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 58 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 59 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 60 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 61 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 62 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 63 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 64 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 65 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 66 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 67 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 68 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 69 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 70 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 71 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 72 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 73 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 74 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 75 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 76 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 77 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 78 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 79 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 80 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 81 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 82 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 83 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 84 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 85 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 86 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 87 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 88 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 89 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 90 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 91 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 92 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 93 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 94 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 95 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 96 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 97 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 98 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 99 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 100 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 101 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 102 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 103 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 104 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 105 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 106 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 107 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 108 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 109 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 110 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 111 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 112 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 113 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 114 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 115 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 116 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 117 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 118 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 119 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 120 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 121 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 122 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 123 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 124 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 125 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 126 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 127 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 128 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 129 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 130 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 131 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 132 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 133 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 134 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 135 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 136 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 137 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 138 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 139 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 140 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 141 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 142 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 143 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 144 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 145 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 146 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 147 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 148 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 149 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 150 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 151 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 152 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 153 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 154 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 155 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 156 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 157 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 158 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 159 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 160 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 161 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 162 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 163 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 164 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 165 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 166 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 167 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 168 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 169 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 170 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 171 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 172 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 173 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 174 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 175 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 176 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 177 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 178 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 179 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 180 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 181 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 182 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 183 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 184 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 185 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 186 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 187 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 188 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 189 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 190 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 191 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 192 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 193 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 194 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 195 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 196 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 197 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 198 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 199 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 200 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 201 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 202 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 203 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 204 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 205 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 206 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 207 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 208 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 209 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 210 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 211 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 212 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 213 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 214 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 215 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 216 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 217 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 218 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 219 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 220 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 221 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 222 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 223 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 224 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 225 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 226 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 227 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 228 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 229 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 230 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 231 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 232 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 233 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 234 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 235 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 236 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 237 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 238 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 239 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 240 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 241 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 242 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 243 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 244 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 245 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 246 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 247 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 248 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 249 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 250 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 251 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 252 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 253 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 254 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 255 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 256 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 257 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 258 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 259 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 260 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 261 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 262 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 263 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 264 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 265 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 266 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 267 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 268 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 269 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 270 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 271 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 272 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 273 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 274 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 275 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 276 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 277 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 278 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 279 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 280 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 281 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 282 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 283 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 284 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 285 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 286 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 287 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 288 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 289 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 290 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 291 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 292 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 293 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 294 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 295 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 296 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 297 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 298 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 299 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 300 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 301 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 302 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 303 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 304 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 305 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 306 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 307 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 308 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 309 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 310 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 311 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 312 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 313 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 314 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 315 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 316 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 317 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 318 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 319 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 320 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 321 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 322 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 323 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 324 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 325 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 326 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 327 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 328 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 329 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 330 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 331 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 332 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 333 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 334 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 335 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 336 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 337 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 338 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 339 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 340 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 341 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 342 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 343 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 344 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 345 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 346 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 347 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 348 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 349 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 350 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 351 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 352 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 353 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 354 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 355 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 356 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 357 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 358 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 359 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 360 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 361 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 362 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 363 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 364 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 365 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 366 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 367 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 368 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 369 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 370 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 371 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 372 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 373 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 374 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 375 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 376 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 377 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 378 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 379 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 380 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 381 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 382 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 383 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 384 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 385 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 386 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 387 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 388 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 389 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 390 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 391 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 392 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 393 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 394 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 395 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 396 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 397 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 398 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 399 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 400 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 401 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 402 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 403 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 404 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 405 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 406 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 407 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 408 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 409 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 410 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 411 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 412 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 413 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 414 Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June - Page 415
Next page>>