Throne Of Howls

ragged on like a

chest, with her fingers locked so tightly around it that her finger joints stood out like stone. Her shoulders shook with every uneven breath, and he

red in clusters, their silks and furs whispering in the chill breeze as they exchanged sharp glances and hush

wasn't one, her silver gown trailing behind her, and her posture unbending. Her voice

ed. Her eyes didn't blink. "Theft-from the royal h

like smoke from a fire n

ox slipped from her arms and landed softly on the stone beside her, the royal crest

ng the hem of her cloak as if it might ancho

hing crowd like startled birds.

s adviser. One of Tristan's closest companions. His face had gone pale as wax,

kly, lifting both hands in mock inno

oice raw with disbelief. "You said

" Vivian

the cold stone walls, silen

Emrys raised a single, trembling hand. The crowd quieted further. T

steal," he said, slow and deliberate. "It was you

pe drained from her. Tears streamed d

a blade against her skin

he cells," the

, but the fight quickly left her. Her sobs echoed down the corridor of stone as she was dr

es were hollow, and their faces drawn tight with exhaustion and panic. Her mother sat at the edge of the worn-out sofa, clutching her prayer beads with such force that the wooden

rhythm of his muttered prayers, hands trembled behind his back as though grasping for something he'd already los

cold but from a terror so deep it made her limbs feel heavy and her chest tight. Her breathing came in shallow gas

came just

ock, it was a

r didn't wait for him. It was kicked open with a force that rattled the entire h

is voice was like gravel, "you are under a

hit the floor as sh

no explanations allow

other's names. Celeste's cries were swallowed by the clamor, whilst her mother's protests d

silence whispering cruel things from behind shutters. A few brave, or cruel enough stood outside, pointi

rm stood at its center, draped in royal colors, surrounded by nobl

ere ripped, stained with dirt and humiliation. Their heads hung low, but

d,with her hair limp and tangled around her face.

at his sides, crescent marks formed in his palms. He didn't blink. Didn't breathe.

ed a scroll and read

. Their lands, if any, are seized. Their rank erased. From this day forth, they

. Murmurs of appro

es, and etched deep into memory. It would live on in whispers, in s

o longer p

s har

pressing down on his chest. His fists were clenched at his sides, and nails bit into his palms. Rage burned under his skin, so hot it nearly became visible. He had fought this, he had begged for mercy. He had gone

he destruction of a family he had once shared

boy stood rigid among the younger nobles, his shoulders we

clenched so

wa

i

broken way she had spoken Lucius's name. There was no mistaking

is fault, like he wasn't watching the c

en from that distance, Tristan could see it, there was something in his eyes. A flicker. Not compassion, not support, but maybe... regret. Orion didn't

want to be

feet were locked in place, chained

ck the stone floor just inches from the prisoners. Not flesh, not yet. But a m

d. Not joyous, but satisfied. The kind of nois

heat of pure fury. His chest heaved. This wasn't justice. This wasn't discipline. This wa

ising, but there was no warmth in it. From high above, hidden in the shadows of the royal balcony, Vivian stood watching,

streaked with dirt and tears, but her eyes, when they found Tr

at, the anger in

h purpose, straight toward Lucius.

by the collar, his voice was low and dangerous. "You thin

object, but before a word could escape, Tristan sho

tan growled, releasing his grip, his fists still tr