GAVINThe wax cracked as I broke the seal, red crumbling under my thumb like dried blood. The letter came from the northern court, carried by a hawk that barely caught its breath before I tore the scroll from its satchel.I skimmed past the formalities, the greetings, the exaggerated gratitude, unti
We carried our spoils through the village. Solenne dumped her haul on the floor—pickled mushrooms, copper bangles, hand-cut soap that smelled like river mint—and flopped onto the cushion pile by the fire like a satisfied thief.~The rain had started before sunrise, loud and thick like the sky had s
COWRIEHe stood over the stove with his sleeves pushed to his elbows. His hair was tied back with a strip of linen, eyes darting between the skillet and the pot. Bread warming on a flat pan beside him.Solenne groaned and rolled toward the hearth, sniffing the air like a feral thing waking from hibe
COWRIEWe left before dawn with no breakfast and no carriage. Just two women in hunter’s boots, blades hidden beneath embroidered shawls, skirts tucked into belts and teeth bared against the chill.Solenne matched my stride, we crossed the first rise and saw the stone buildings scattered like broken
GAVINThe ballroom emptied slow, thick with wine breath and perfume, elders dragging feet, Betas murmuring about alliances and mothers whispering about daughters who didn’t catch my eye.I found Sariah in the mooncourt, cloak loose at her shoulders, hair pinned with golden vines that caught the fire
COWRIEI started with the blacksmith’s daughter. Her name was Yeri, and she always stared too long when I passed, always lingered too close when she brought metals for the palace forge.I found her behind the training barracks, hands coated in soot and sleeves rolled. She glanced at the guards flank