Lucius Knots Hermione

They say every villain is the hero of their story… They are wrong! There is no such thing as heroes and villains, there is just evil. Evil, cruelty, that’s all I know, that's the only thing the world has shown me… Maybe I am wrong… Just maybe there is more to this world, other than the evil and cruelty I was forced to endure, but that doesn’t really matter anymore. A man is a mirror of the world he has been exposed to… Since I have seen the greatest evil the world has to offer, it is only natural I show the world evil in return. Hello there, I am Lucius Blackwell, let me tell you why I became the greatest villain of all time…

Imagine you're about to kiss some guy you really can’t stand, and then—bam! You suddenly find yourself in the body of a goddess. Kiara always had a pretty normal life—until that party night. What started as a fun game of dares quickly turns into a wild nightmare when she blacks out and wakes up in a world straight out of a fantasy novel. The place is ancient and royal, and everyone thinks she’s Athena, this legendary goddess from their history. Now, she’s stuck in this strange yet oddly familiar body, figuring out how to survive in a world full of magic, prophecies, and danger. As old powers start to rise and enemies close in, she starts piecing together bits of a past life that ties her to the fate of this world. With the help of a stunningly handsome but mysterious ruler and whispers of a prophecy that connects them all, Kiara has to make a choice: accept the goddess inside her or try to get back to the life she used to know. But things get complicated, and the line between who she was and who she’s becoming starts to blur with every step she takes. Lucius just found out that his late wife has been reincarnated in the future. He did everything he could to bring her back, and guess what? He succeeded. Now, he’ll do anything to make sure he doesn’t lose her again. My entrance for Cupid's Quill pls support!

# Arranged marriage #Paranormal Romance -She was his sweet peach. His wish. His eternity. His redemption. His to corrupt and his to command. He has and would never love any the way he loved her- Hermione Barclay, an attractive princess suffered a tragic past which caused her to isolate herself, frightened by the presence of people, poor constructions of words... The memory of the vampire boy whom she had once felt safe around remained etched in her innermost self and she fantasized about nothing but him. Years later, a marriage proposal arrived and she was to wed the same man she had always dreamt about, unfortunately, her expectations of him were crushed. He only cared for her because he was asked to, not because he wanted to. Dark and Tragic twists awaited her in her new home, how was she going to survive?

Lucius Lothra, a passionate gamer suddenly find not just himself but the whole world in a fantasy world where Knights and Mages exist. All Earthlings who once played a VR Game called System Online wake up in this world with their own Systems which they created when playing System Online. Lucius had just created an account when a world ending event occurred so he didn't play the game but he did manage to create his own system. The only problem that Lucius has is that he doesn't know if his system works or not and the only way to find out is... DEATH!!!

Born into one of the wealthiest families in the country, Layla Rosenzweig's true identity is taken away at the time of her birth by the mistress of her father.  She is forced to live as the illegitimate daughter of the Rosenzweig Family. Everyone treats her no less than an outsider in her own house.  "This is mine. That is mine. In fact, everything is mine," Layla's half-sister told her.   Everything that belonged to Layla is given to her half-sister, including her boyfriend.  Then, she is forced to marry her ex-boyfriend's ruthless uncle, Lucius De Salvo, the most terrifying man in the country.   Lucius De Salvo is known for his ruthless ways to get his work done. His name is enough to terrify people. It is said that he is a man devoid of emotions. He will find pleasure in people's pain and misery. He loves to torment those who come under his radar.  But why is he so lovely to Layla? Or is it just a pretense? "Are you ready for the wedding night, Darling?" Lucius asked. “I've desired you for a long time.”  “What?” Layla was shocked. “Why would you?”  “Because you are Layla Rosenzweig. The woman I like.” With that, he captured her mouth for a passionate kiss. ~~~~~ **Cover Is Mine** Follow me on Instagram: rayoflight_pcy

Born into darkness, Lucius is marked by an infernal curse—the Mark of the Abyss. This unholy sigil endows him with powers that defy mortal comprehension, yet seals his fate: servitude, rejection, and a grim demise. Embark on a journey with Lucius as he unravels the hidden truth behind the Marks, battles to carve out a destiny of his own, and strikes back against the cruel fate imposed upon him. In a world that shuns him for his cursed existence, Lucius will forge unlikely alliances to challenge those who scorn him. He is driven by a relentless desire to claim a place for himself and his loved ones, no matter the cost. Prepared to plunge into the darkest depths of depravity, Lucius is poised on the brink of a harrowing journey. The ultimate enigma remains: what awaits him in the abyss of his ambitions? Content: -Includes R18 Content - gore - death - NO NTR - NO YURI/BL

Guimo Arcturus, a successful businessman, witnesses the brutal murder of his parents by the Blood Spiders, a clandestine organization. Seeking revenge, Guimo makes a pact with the Dark God Lucius, who grants him powers in exchange for delivering souls. As Guimo navigates the dark world of the Blood Spiders, he uncovers a web of deceit and corruption that threatens to destroy the world. With his newfound powers and a thirst for vengeance, Guimo sets out to take down the Blood Spiders and their mysterious leader, the Weaver. But as Guimo delves deeper into the world of the Blood Spiders, he must confront his own demons and the true cost of his revenge. Will he succumb to the darkness within, or will he find a way to reclaim his soul? Dark Revenger is a gripping tale of revenge, power, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

The crypto world is super thrilling, where you can either hit it big or lose a ton of cash in just seconds. But like, what do you do if your precious Ethereum, Bitcoin, or any other coin just disappears? When that sinking feeling kicks in, your stomach starts churning like it’s on a wild spin cycle. Do not worry, my fellow cyber voyagers: Maestro Encrypter Financier arrives as a ray of hope, a proficient team of specialists prepared to work their magic and restore your lost cryptocurrency wealth. Why Should You Ask for the Assistance of Maestro Encrypter Financier? The Abundant Problem Solvers: They are not just tech-enthusiasts; rather, they are expert professionals who possess excellent proficiency in resolving crypto puzzles. They're like the A-Team for crypto recovery because they've got tons of experience, mad skills, and a whole toolkit to work with. They tackle super complicated cases, dig up even the sneakiest hidden coins, and navigate the crazy blockchain world like seasoned adventurers. And get this: Their success history is pretty impressive; their trophy cabinet is packed with all the wins they've scored. Maestro Encrypter Financier is very dedicated and experienced, and he has helped many satisfied customers to restart their cryptocurrency profits. These experts have done it all and can certainly work their magic to turn your crypto problems into successes, no matter if you are dealing with phishing scams, technical problems, or just can't find your private key. Human Element in a Wired World: Losing cryptocurrency actually does take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride rather than a strictly financial one. The Talk to Maestro Encrypter Financier team absolutely understands this. They're not only tech experts; they're wonderful listeners, caring leaders, and calming voices when everything appears to be happening all at once. They’ve got the patience, clarity, and a real wish to help you get back on your feet as they help you through the recovery process. Chat with Maestro Encrypter Financier, Your Only Hope in the Crypto Ripoff. Talking to Maestro Encrypter Financier is your saving grace, whether some shady trader took advantage of you, a nasty smart contract messed you up, or you just found a lost seed phrase. Their entire raison d'être is to fetch your missing money by venturing into the uncharted territory of crypto, fighting tech monsters and trying to decipher the confusing Gordian knot of blockchain terminology. So do not wait, Maestro Encrypter Financier is at your service. You can always contact them at Email: maestroencrypter@financier.com whatsApp : +1 472 203 8937 https :// maestro encrypter financier. c o m /

THYLONIUS(12) a young boy, is trapped in a burning building with his sister CNIDARIA (13) a young girl, on the day both of their parents leave from their home in Sierra Leone to visit America. As far as he can tell the area is being terrorized and burnt down to a crisp for reasons unknown. Both of the siblings are lucky to escape with their lives but not without a cost. Time has passed, now refugee orphans on the streets of Liberia abandoned by their country and parents. Thylonius meets a strange man LUCIUS (42) a pale American man, who claims to know their parents and that they are still alive. Cnidaria is skeptical of the man but accepts his offer to assassinate the parents that abandoned them in return for taking them under his wing. They are successful, which begins their lives as child soldiers. The cost for murdering their flesh and blood is not light, Supernatural occurrences start happening to the siblings both physically and other worldly. There's more to their past and family that meets the eye and it puts them on a path to take on the entire world.

[Warning: Mature Content] In a twist of fate, Lucius Shadowbane, once an ordinary young man from a humble family on modern Earth, finds himself thrust into an entirely different realm. There, the kingdom's nobles compel him to embark on a perilous mission to defeat the Demon King—an offer he can't refuse if he ever wants to return home. Driven by the desire to reunite with his world, Lucius agrees and spends decades honing his skills in the art of special aura, reaching its ultimate pinnacle. After years of relentless battles, Lucius finally triumphs over the Demon King and uses a mystical artifact to journey back to Earth. However, upon his return, he is blindsided by a radical transformation—Earth is now brimming with the same mana energy he had encountered in the other world. Magically gifted individuals are emerging, and the monsters he once fought are now roaming freely. Yet, Lucius embraces this new reality with nonchalance. For him, it is a chance to experience life without limits—a thrilling story that promises never-ending excitement in this newly awakened magical era. (Content Advisory: This narrative contains mature themes, including intense violence, incest, and yuri elements. It is crafted specifically for readers who are comfortable with and can appreciate such complex themes. If you are under the legal age or find these elements unsettling, it is advised to discontinue reading.) (Cover Image: Ai-Generated)

Lucius Sanderson, is what you would call the “complete package.” He’s young, handsome, and possesses a body I sometimes wish I have. And I'm a girl! He’s got everything one could think of, boats mansions, flourishing companies and even me. Lucius is known for one thing.. His Life changing contracts and owning the person after... Entangled with one of the worst contract one can think of, I have to work for him for rest of my twenties all because my silly ass didn't read the contract that day. I saved my father and cleared my debts, but at what expense? My labor! Half of my life! I have the the opportunity to lessen my years, but at what expense again? My body...

so far this might be a one shot a new mysterious boy name John has joined Hogwarts is past is a unknown to even the great Dumbledore how will John change the story is he a hero or a villain and who else would he take with him down his own path I don't own anything related to the harry potter franchise or the photo used

Time itself unravels, its threads twisting into a disorienting knot around a young man. The mundane rhythms of his life become a haunting refrain, each day a ghostly reflection of the last. He is adrift in a sea of fragmented memories and unspoken tensions, searching for a way out of the deepening twilight of his own fractured reality. This is a story of shadows and secrets, where the past refuses to let go and the future remains shrouded in an unsettling mystery.

Lucius finds himself summoned to the world of Jord after he dozed off on his way to a college campus visit.

I want you and I will get you at all cost. Your hair is for me to smell, your eyes is to see me alone. Your lips is for me to kiss, your neck is for me to mark my territory. Your breast is for me to suck, twist and fold. Your belly is to carry my children. Your pussy, is for me to fuck. I will fuck you until your brains is out. I will bury my dick deep into your pussy, fucking you until you remember only my name. I will so fuck you until you can't walk again. Ivy Leah Steel, you're mine forever. My pussy is on fire, I want him to fuck me right now but I can't give him the satisfaction of having me bend to his will just like that. I couldn't talk and so he came deadly closer, I unintentionally lick my lower lips and he growl like a wondered lion. Do that one more time Steel, and you won't walk out of here walking straight. My best option is to keep mute since I am so turned on... He took that as an edge and bent over, his breathe on my neck dissolving the last strength I have. I take it that you want me as much as I want you, should I check your little cunt for wetness? Should I go ahead and eat your pussy like my last meal? His hand was dangerously touching my nipples and a moan escaped my lips. That's all it took for him to shred my clothes to pieces. Come with me as we made journey into Ivy's world. To discover another form of love, adventure and a world of survival. Ivy Leah Steel, a 25 year old who battled through life to succeed only to meet a cocky guy that frustrate her until she succumb to the law of love and many discovery. Caspian Lucius Asher, a 29 year old Greek like. He is handsome and a multi billionaire who gets anything he want in a snap of his hands. He doesn't really know what love feels like but hope to find one but in his book not now. Will the two world collide or will they let nature play its own game. is He is a heart breaker or a keeper #Adultromance #love #maturedcontented #sexscenes #Billionaria #Arrogant

Lucius’s childhood was anything but ordinary—or easy. He dreamed of becoming a clown, like his father, whose laughter could light up a room. But that dream was shattered the day his father left to buy milk and never returned. Left behind with a struggling family, his mother took on three jobs to support him and his younger sister. Though his childhood dream faded, Lucius worked tirelessly, eventually securing a stable job as a manager. It wasn’t glamorous, but it gave him purpose and the chance to repay his mother’s sacrifices. For the first time, he was content. But the universe had other plans. Through a twist of absurdity, Lucius is thrust into a shattered, broken world—a place teetering on the edge of ruin. He awakens in the body of another Lucius, someone eerily similar to himself, burdened with a past just as heavy. Confused and desperate, Lucius rejects the call. He is no protagonist, no hero. All he wants is to return home to his family, to the life he worked so hard to build. But when the stakes rise and the weight of the broken world bears down on him, Lucius must make an impossible choice: will he rise to the occasion, reliving an old dream in a world abandoned by even its gods? Or will he turn away, leaving the world—and its people—to their fate? In a sea of suffering, happiness lies hidden at its depths. But who among us is willing to take the plunge?

El día que Lucius Gunnes, fue a encontrarse con un cliente en el barrio de Versalles, Belle abordó un ómnibus para ir a trabajar, sin saber que aquel vehículo iba a un lugar diferente y misterioso. Los pasajeros la increpan para que descienda ¡Éste vehículo se dirige a otro sitio!, fue la advertencia. Ella descendió de aquel, y restó importancia a ello. Prosiguió su día como siempre, hasta que la noticia de que su marido había desaparecido se hizo presente delante de sus ojos. De ahora en adelante Belle, se encuentra en una búsqueda implacable y sus únicas pistas, son un niño que estaba en el lugar del hecho, y que argumenta que el paisaje se lo llevó, y un nombre particular de un lugar extraño de las leyendas. Un universo paralelo al que llaman Oco, Além. -

In the far future of the Milky Way, ambition and courage are key to a civilization's survival. Follow Lucius von Vasilier, a young aristocrat third in line to a fledgling noble house within the Holy Empire, where noble families obsessed with genetic purity vie for dominance. House Vasilier is on the rise, but its meteoric ascent from common soldier to aristocracy may soon rest on Lucius' shoulders. Meanwhile, alien races, some ancient, some newly encountered, watch from the shadows, their motives unclear, while humanity is about to encounter long-lost, ancient cousins whose existence could unravel everything the Empire strives to build. Before he can shoulder this responsibility, however, Lucius must first secure a marriage. Will he succeed in solidifying his family's position, or will the challenges of the universe crush him like a bug?

When the deity that kept Earth sheltered from the eldritch terrors of the abyss is finally slain, the unprepared planet is thrown into a world of mysterious powers, terrible creatures, and death. Lucius, a 15-year-old young man who ran away from an abusive family, leaves behind his world of struggling for food and shelter on the city streets, only to struggle anew against the teeth and claws of horrifying monsters that possess strange and fantastic abilities.

What will happen when a creature of water tie a knot with a normal girl just for a mission.The contract connects them fakely but they have a true dream,heart beat and emotional connection.Will they end up with the mission or will something magical happens that will change everything!!!

Beyond the veil of societal norms, a forbidden love story unfolds. Meet Dahlia, the mistress with a mission: to reclaim the heart of her first love, Clyde. Their all-consuming passion was reduced to ashes when he tied the knot with another woman, her sister. But Dahlia refuses to be erased. Driven by an unrelenting conviction that she's Clyde's soulmate, Dahlia orchestrates a daring plan to rekindle their lost love. As she navigates the treacherous landscape of secrets and lies, she must confront the darkness within herself. Will Dahlia's relentless pursuit of love be her redemption or her downfall? Can she convince Clyde that their connection is worth fighting for, or will the ghosts of their past destroy their future? Step into the twisted world of love, lust, and obsession, where the lines between right and wrong are blurred. Dahlia's story is a siren's call, beckoning you to question everything you thought you knew about love. Join the journey, but be warned: once you take a step into Dahlia's world, there's no turning

Joo Yeona was a 20-year-old college student, who loved to eat, play video games, and read romance novels. Until her fate of death came, and in a blink, she dies in a sudden mass shooting on the streets. Her sudden unexpected death made her transmigrate. Not into the heroine, but instead into the life of the most hated villain character, Vella De Evan in the popular Korean romance otome game, 'Blooming Love', much to her despise to the character. Of course, her new life wasn't going to be an easy smooth paved road ahead, or filled with lush treasures and luxury goods. She’s the most hated villain after all, which villain has a good life? She couldn't do anything. She needed power, but she was anything from cunning. Strategic? She flopped college. She felt internally conflicted, confusion, and panic. Tormented by her life switching constantly through two worlds, Joo Yeona learns how to be a better person, while teaching another on how to have a little hope in a despair filled life. *** "Interwoven feelings and hidden lies, in the end who shall fall and die?" Vella stared at her with confusion evident, a frown knotting her forehead. "What do you mean?" "We're fated to crumble and die." She said to her, crumbling away into dust as she stared in horror, moving away with the wind. [The story contains profanity and mature content. Cover drawing does not belong to me!]

l'humanité a réussi à conquérir les étoiles mais voilà que certains humains veulent se détacher de l'empire ce que ce dernier refuse. Lucius, est un jeune noblesse qui rêve de gloire et lorsque l'empereur demande a sa maison de récupérer une planète perdue, il y voit une opportunité.

By day, I’m Aurelia, endlessly tormented. by my two stepbrothers. They should be off-limits, forbidden, yet every teasing comment, every touch that lingers a little too long, is a spark that sets off flames of my unrequited crush on them. When a mysterious invitation to work at a secretive VIP club comes my way, I think it’s my chance to escape. But the club is a darker world than I imagined. Here, I don’t merely submit; I’m masked, displayed on a stage, to be used, savored, devoured by men coated in power and sin. What happens when the stepbrothers who plague my thoughts claim the woman behind the scarlet mask, ignorant that it’s me they’re touching, tasting, conquering? That is before ’He’ comes along, the club’s mysterious owner, a dark prince who knows exactly how to tie a girl up in knots—both literally and figuratively. His eyes watch me from the shadows, always hungry, always wanting more than just a stage performance. His twisted fantasies should scare me, but they only pull me closer into his all consuming darkness. But when my mask slips and my identity is almost exposed, the dark prince of the club becomes an obsessive hunter. He’s not just after my submission; he wants to unmask my soul, rip out my heart, and claim it as his own. Now, I’m caught between my stepbrothers, who know my darkest secrets, and a wicked prince whose dark desires should terrify me, but don’t. It’s a sick, twisted tale of love and possession, but one question remains: who’ll own me when the clock strikes 12?

Lucius, a sickly orphan, dies after the world was plunged into World War 3, and suddenly finds himself in the Middle Ages—summoned by the Heresy Cult as Lord Mors, the embodiment of death. In this Dark Age, humanity has not yet advanced in technology, but he soon discovers the strange and supernatural realities that were never recorded in history. Worst of all, as the new leader of the Heresy Cult, he must now become the enemy of the world and lead mankind out of the current era of chaos. This leads him down the path of atrocities and abominations… marking his grim existence as the Lord Of The Dead. Tags: Transmigration. Reincarnation. Historical Fantasy. Action. Adventure. Magic. Villain. WeaktoStrong. Overpowered. Romance. Dark. Superpowers. KingdomBuilding.

An intricately intertwined romantic liaison unfolds within a vision of dreamy, sumptuous, yet bloodthirsty and shadowy fantasticality. A commonplace yet headstrong girl, reeling from a heartbreak, chances upon a mysterious damsel hailing from an otherworldly dimension. This enigmatic figure tempts her into the realm of elves in pursuit of love, dangling the allure of an idyllic romance as bait. She scours this strange land for tales of affection, solely to fulfill a quest. But how will her own amorous narrative ultimately play out? She has plummeted into a chasm of countless souls, toiled as a menial in a bordello, served as a handmaiden, and subsequently, by a twist of fate, transmogrified into a feline, thereby commencing to pry upon that seemingly perfidious man from an entirely novel vantage point... This inextricably knotted and passionately poignant romantic escapade shall enrapture you, rendering it impossible to break free. This opus is rife with contention, steeped in a potent essence, and graced with a refreshingly novel motif. It may well pique your curiosity.

Going against the king is something simply unheard of, "the king's word is final", everybody knows. But Erica is not going to watch her sister go through a political marriage, she wants her to find love and happiness that has evaded her within the castle walls. She knows her actions will bring serious consequences, her own happiness and freedom will be greatly affected, but her determination will not allow her to give up. ************************************************************************* This is not just a story of luxury, abundance and beauty but of pain, tears, betrayal and deep emotions. She soon finds herself in the same claws of an arranged marriage, and unfortunately for her, all of her fighting cards have been used up. She surrenders to the system, marrying prince Albert of the neighboring kingdom, a man she meets for the first time at the altar ready to tie the knot. Find out how princess Erica navigates the difficult and changing terrains of her life both within and outside the borders of her kingdom; a husband, a new family, a new kingdom all presenting different challenges, opportunities and discoveries.

Synopsis: Only in depths the glory, Only in despair the hope, Only in dying the awakening. Serious the fate’s ship Sails forward ruthlessly. Eighty years ago, Earth basked in the light of the cosmos, hurtling through the mysterious planets, each second an embrace of the unknown. That cosmic power, also known as Primitive Energy, like a nourishing shower, reinvigorated all living things, ushering humanity into an unprecedented era of awakening. Handsome yet unawakened, Edward Gold, found himself like a lost ship in this tide of awakening, even unable to hoist his sails. Most of his peers, like sparkling stars, one by one, unlocked their supernatural powers, while he remained stranded in the dark shadows. Very soon, he was often surrounded by brutal bullies and indifferent onlookers and mocking and beatings came to him like flood. Lonely, helpless, and desperate, Edward felt like he plummeted into the unfathomable abyss. ‘What a dismal existence!’ thought Edward. Yet, what agonized him most was what his girlfriend Sarah Wood did to him. She had once vowed to go through thick and thin with Edward. She had even promised to tie the knot and then spend the rest of her life with him until death would do them apart. What on earth did Sarah do to him? Would Edward Gold finally become an awakener and win his honour back? Come to unravel his journey from zero to hero and witness the legend of Supreme Awakener!

Years ago, two families tied the knot when they betrothed thier children. Lucia is a twin while Kimathi is the cheerful bully who got smitten by the cold beauty. As this two kids seemed inseparable, the union was the best at that time. Soon, the Aidoos moved else where to expand their power while Lucia grew forgetting the cute boy who was her favourite toy.Just some days before turning 18, her foreign silver hair Black American crush proposed which she willingly accepted but the Aidoos finally seems to remember their promise. At exactly 18, the family was once again reminded of the betrothal. Whiles Lucia refuses to acknowledge that marriage, her boyfriend suddenly disappeared without a trace. Her refusal cost her a lot but she refused to bend. The Aidoos are also determined to see the end of her family if she doesn't relent. It is the calm before the storm,Dulucia,armed to face this storm with determination seems to sway on her journey. Is it because of the thing called love or there is more to what the reader is offered. What happens when she realises the man behind the shadow is no other than her bestie's bully in high school. Dive in with me to the sea of the unknown to unfold this mystery yet to be solved.

My mind reeled as the realization dawned on me that the man I had casually bumped into was none other than Christopher Hemsworth. A wave of panic surged through me. What if he was annoyed that I had bumped into him? My heart raced at the thought, a mixture of fear and anxiety knotting my stomach. I replayed our brief encounter in my mind, worrying about the impression I might have made. As I tried to compose myself, I suddenly noticed his gaze shifting across the room. My breath caught in my throat as I realized he wasn't just looking in my direction; he was looking directly at me. My heart pounded in my chest, every beat echoing in my ears. His hazel eyes, so captivating up close, now seemed to pierce through the distance between us, locking onto mine with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. For a moment, everything else faded away-the bustling crowd, the applause, even the sound of my own thoughts. It was as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of us, connected by an invisible thread. His expression was unreadable, a mixture of curiosity and something else I couldn't quite place. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and an inexplicable thrill. I stood there, rooted to the spot, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. The admiration I had felt earlier was now tinged with awe and a touch of disbelief. How could someone so extraordinary take notice of me? The sheer magnetism of his presence made it hard to look away, and yet I was painfully aware of every second that passed under his scrutiny. As he continued to look at me, I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. Was he recalling our encounter with amusement, or was he as surprised as I was by this unexpected turn of events? The uncertainty gnawed at me, but beneath it all, a small spark of excitement flickered, kindling a hope I dared not fully acknowledge.