whispers in the keep

The Moon Wing fell silent the moment Alpha Kael closed the doors behind him.

The echo of his footsteps faded down the corridor until Lyra could no longer hear them.

She was alone.

Completely alone.

Slowly, she turned back toward the room.

It was unlike anything she had ever imagined.

The fireplace was carved from white marble, its mantel decorated with wolves chasing the moon through flowering vines. Tall bookshelves lined one wall, each shelf packed with leather-bound books that looked too old to touch. Silver curtains framed the towering windows, and beyond them, snow drifted gently over the mountains surrounding Blackthorn Keep.

The room was beautiful.

Too beautiful.

Lyra walked carefully across the polished floor, almost afraid her worn boots would leave marks.

She stopped before the ruined portrait hanging above the fireplace.

The silver frame gleamed despite its age.

The painting inside was another story.

Someone had destroyed it.

The woman's face had been slashed beyond recognition.

The little girl's face had suffered the same fate.

Only the rest of the painting remained untouched.

The woman stood beneath a full moon, dressed in flowing white robes embroidered with silver thread. One hand rested protectively on the shoulder of the child beside her.

Their hands were still joined.

Only their identities had been erased.

Lyra frowned.

"Who would do something like this?"

She reached toward the painting before stopping herself.

Kael's warning echoed in her mind.

"Don't."

She lowered her hand.

"I wasn't even going to touch it," she muttered.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

Three polite knocks.

Lyra turned.

"Come in."

The doors opened slowly.

A young woman entered carrying several folded dresses over one arm and a small wooden tray balanced in the other.

She couldn't have been much older than Lyra.

Her chestnut hair was tied into a neat braid, and kind green eyes immediately settled on Lyra.

She bowed.

"My Lady."

Lyra blinked.

"I think you have the wrong room."

The maid looked confused.

"No, My Lady."

"I'm Lyra."

"I know."

"And I'm definitely not a lady."

The maid smiled despite herself.

"Alpha Kael ordered me to serve you."

She carefully placed the tray on a nearby table.

"My name is Elara."

Lyra glanced at the neatly folded gowns.

Silk.

Velvet.

Beautiful embroidery decorated each sleeve.

She had never owned clothes like these.

"There must be a mistake."

"There isn't."

"I can't wear something this expensive."

"They were chosen for you."

Lyra shook her head.

"My entire wardrobe wouldn't be worth one sleeve."

Elara laughed softly before quickly covering her mouth.

"I'm sorry."

"No..."

Lyra found herself smiling.

"It was a little funny."

The tension between them eased.

For the first time since arriving at Blackthorn Keep, Lyra felt like someone was looking at her instead of looking through her.

Elara began opening wardrobes and placing the dresses inside.

"You'll need more."

Lyra stared.

"More?"

"There are formal dinners. Festivals. Council gatherings."

"I've never been invited to any of those."

"You will be now."

The certainty in Elara's voice made Lyra uncomfortable.

"What if they don't want me here?"

Elara paused.

She looked toward the ruined portrait before answering carefully.

"Some don't."

The honesty surprised Lyra.

"But some do."

"Which are you?"

Elara smiled.

"I haven't decided yet."

Lyra laughed.

"I appreciate your honesty."

"It's safer than pretending."

For a few moments they worked in comfortable silence.

Elara unpacked the few belongings Lyra had brought from Grey Hollow.

The task took less than five minutes.

One patched cloak.

Two simple dresses.

A wooden comb with a missing tooth.

A sewing kit.

A faded blue ribbon.

That was everything.

Elara stared at the tiny pile.

"Is this... all you own?"

Lyra nodded.

"I left the rest behind."

"There was more?"

"There wasn't much worth bringing."

The maid looked around the luxurious room.

The carved furniture.

The polished floors.

The expensive fabrics.

Then back at Lyra's belongings.

Her expression softened.

"You've had a difficult life."

Lyra shrugged.

"It was just my life."

Before Elara could answer, the deep sound of a bell echoed through the Keep.

One slow chime.

Then another.

"Dinner," Elara said.

"So soon?"

"The evening meal is served before sunset in winter."

Lyra's stomach tightened.

"Will everyone be there?"

"The Alpha."

"The Council."

"The officers."

"Several noble families staying in the Keep."

Lyra suddenly wished she could stay in the Moon Wing forever.

"I don't know how to behave around nobles."

"You'll learn."

"What if I embarrass myself?"

Elara smiled reassuringly.

"Then they'll gossip."

"They're already gossiping."

"I know."

Lyra sighed.

"I don't think they like me."

"They don't know you."

"Sometimes people don't need to."

Elara didn't argue.

Instead, she walked toward the dressing table and picked up a silver brush.

"May I?"

Lyra nodded.

As Elara gently brushed her hair, neither of them spoke.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable.

It was peaceful.

Outside, snow continued falling over the mountains.

Inside the Moon Wing, the fire crackled softly.

For a brief moment, Lyra almost forgot everything that had happened.

The ceremony.

The assassin.

The Council.

The Moon Crest.

Then her eyes drifted back to the ruined portrait.

The feeling returned immediately.

That strange ache deep inside her chest.

As though she had lost something she couldn't remember.

Or someone.

Far below the Moon Wing, Alpha Kael stood inside his private study with Rowan.

"The patrols?" Kael asked.

"Twice as many as before."

"And the borders?"

"Secure."

Kael looked out over the courtyard.

"They won't stop."

"You think another assassin is coming?"

"I know one is."

Rowan folded his arms.

"The Council believes the girl should leave."

"The Council doesn't make that decision."

"They'll keep pushing."

Kael's expression hardened.

"Let them."

Before Rowan could answer, a guard appeared outside the study.

"Alpha."

"What is it?"

"The evening meal is ready."

Kael gave a single nod.

"I'll be there."

As the guard departed, Rowan glanced toward the eastern wing of the Keep.

"Do you think she'll survive this place?"

Kael was silent for a long moment.

Finally, he answered.

"I'm beginning to wonder whether Blackthorn Keep will survive her."