Throne Of Howls

Knock

strike was colder than the last. It echoed through the tiny

ic clang jarring against the stillness. Her breath caught, her eyes widen as s

ore lowering slowly. His lips moved without sound, a silent prayer whispered to no one in particular. Even th

into a punishing rhythm, thudding so hard that it echoed in his ears. Cold rushed through his ve

nlight and steel, a woman, Vivian, cloaked in midnight-blue silk. The fabric shimmered with every mov

sture exuded command. Her gaze, though hidden in sh

e looking f

ier Th

olden, casting jagged shadows across the worn dirt where grass once grew. The sharp scent of pine mingled with dust and sweat as Tristan and

lf. Her dress was a washed-out blue, too long for her frame, it fluttered in the breeze like forgotten fabric on a scare

trieve the scuffed leather ball or hunt down the sticks they flung li

giggled behind her manicured hand, her smi

added, "Yeah, maybe she should

uld not wipe away. But she didn't flinch. She didn't meet their eyes. She simply turned, letting the wind steal their cru

e Lucius's lips, a voice cleaved the

's en

hat caught the last rays of sun. His stance which was usually relaxed, was rigid now, firm with

mistakes," he said evenly, the bite in his voice was unmistakable.

ll over t

tched the back of his neck, suddenly interested in his

e for another blow. She met his eyes which had no mockery, no pity, just an

nt longer before turning bac

scowl deepened as he muttered beneath his breath, "Hmph. Speaking of

t the tree line, half-shadowed and unmoving, was a figure in

hair, strands falling messily into his face. His arms were locked across his chest, with his fists clenched under his sleeves, every muscle in his body drawn tight. And those eyes ,

ttention. "Your twin brother sure know

ir breath, half nervous and half enter

expression hardened as he

" Tristan said, with each

ilent, even the wind see

ned. He looked like he was biting back a thousand things he wanted to say, but instead, he said nothing. His gaze

r apron was dusted with flour and her cheeks flushed from rushing. She

Orion. Foo

at them, silent. He was waiting, maybe wonderi

way slowly, steady, and wordless. Not out o

ost too loud, like they were trying to drown out the silence he left behind. Landon do

ok at Tristan, or Landon, or anyone. She just calmly brushed the dust off her skirt with slow, steady hands

lf walking fast, nearly jogging, through the winding dirt paths with Celeste beside him. They moved towa

asks," he had muttered to

used fish, but by the time he managed a coherent th

Her stride was quick, determined, used to gravel and crooked roots. Tristan stumb

old wheat fields. The roof looked like it might cave in with the next hard rain, patched together wit

already, something earthy and unfamiliar. Herbs. Boiled

her shoes and stepped over the uneven threshold. Tri

with trembling hands as she saw Tristan with her sister. She barely gl

rmanent hunch in his back, jolted upright the moment Tristan

ed, nearly toppling the wobbl

fear. This visit was supposed to be simple and quiet. But now all he could fe

rrot and tough root vegetables floating near the top, and paper-thin strips of dried meat. Tristan stared at his bowl, the smell hitting h

ly about the wildflowers blooming by the stream that morning.

ing none of it. His thoughts

window. Her face was pale, and her spoon shook

d of what it might cost. He was the son of Vivian, the A

ith his eyes drifting as Celeste's

en

Knock

eliberate ban

just like that, ev