The ride out of the southern gates of Ironshade began under the cool hush of early light. The castle loomed behind them in grim silence, its towers cutting through the silver-blue haze that clung to the mountains like breath on glass. Serena sat tall on the horse Livia had arranged for her, her skirts draped neatly to one side, her hands clenched lightly around the reins. Her heart was a thudding mess under the soft silks that clung to her frame. It was happening.
The Ironshade banner rippled ahead, held aloft by one of the guards in polished gear. The rest of the procession rode in two clean rows, heads high, postures rigid, everything as meticulous as the plan had promised.
Somewhere further ahead, General Silas was riding alongside Darius, probably making his final assessments of the terrain and the security arrangements. Serena had not caught even a glimpse of him, not his red hair, not the set of his shoulders, not even his voice carried on the wind. The last time they’d spoken, he’d held her so fiercely in his arms she thought the world might stop. Now, not even a glance.
Longdale was an hour’s ride from the main seat of Ironshade. Not quite a village, not quite a fortress, it was a neutral stretch of land nestled between two rivers and dotted with stone remnants of an old mining town that had long since collapsed. It was perfect for the Dawnbreak welcome, open and visible, but contained.
As they neared the clearing, Serena caught her breath. Flags had been posted along the low fences, deep crimson and pale silver fluttering together, signaling neutrality. She felt a strange chill at the sight of it, a place stripped of allegiance for the sake of temporary diplomacy. She couldn’t help but wonder if Dawnbreak’s delegation would take it as an insult or a gesture of trust.
"You are not to speak unless spoken to directly," Livia said suddenly, drawing her horse closer.
Serena glanced at her and offered a tight smile. "Understood."
The procession came to a gradual stop near the perimeter. Ironshade soldiers moved ahead to prepare the site for their guests. A thick, tense silence fell over the group, the kind that could only come from anticipation.
Serena adjusted the small chain pinned to her shoulder, the only thing identifying her as a representative, albeit unofficially. Her role was still in shadow, but everyone knew she was someone, even if they didn’t say it aloud.
She dismounted carefully, aided by one of the stablemen. Her legs ached from the ride, but she said nothing, choosing instead to walk a few paces with Livia as they waited. A few members of the council had begun murmuring, casting glances down the road that led through the trees. Serena followed their gazes, and then she saw it.
The Dawnbreak party emerged in perfect formation. Their banners were brighter, the crests larger, and the wolves themselves, taller, broader, and dressed in military refinement that was hard to ignore. Serena’s throat went dry. Their lead guard held the Dawnbreak standard high, silver suns on a field of pale blue. Behind them, a sleek black carriage followed, drawn by four horses and flanked by armed riders on each side.
"They brought their best," someone whispered near Serena.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Livia straighten and step forward. Serena did the same. The guards fanned out slowly as the carriage came to a stop. For a long second, no one moved. Then a man dismounted with military precision, clearly of high rank, and opened the carriage door.
The figure that stepped out wore robes of blue and silver, their face shadowed beneath a hood that shimmered faintly in the daylight. Serena blinked, no, not robes. Armor. Light enough to wear in formality but real enough for defense. The person drew back the hood slowly.
It was a man. Younger than Serena expected, with chestnut hair cropped close and a striking face. A faint scar ran across his left brow. His eyes, however, were what held her captive, amber, sharp, and unreadable.
The Dawnbreak delegate had arrived.
"Delegate Riven of Dawnbreak," the guard announced.
Serena’s breath hitched. So this was him.
Livia stepped forward with a practiced smile and offered a shallow bow. "Welcome, Delegate Riven. On behalf of Ironshade, we thank you for honoring our request for negotiations."
Riven nodded. "We are pleased to meet with Ironshade once again." His voice was calm, carefully measured.
The pleasantries began, soft exchanges about the journey, the welcome, the scenery. Serena stayed silent, taking in every face that descended from the carriage, every movement of the Dawnbreak wolves. Some looked curious, others disinterested. A few surveyed Ironshade’s party with a faint air of superiority. Serena didn’t blame them. Dawnbreak was strong, well-connected, and untouched by the past curses that plagued Ironshade’s name. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NovelHub(.)net
Then Riven’s eyes found her. Serena tensed as their gazes met.
Something flickered in his expression, not recognition, not surprise, but something else entirely. She bowed her head slightly in greeting, and he did the same before returning his attention to Livia.
He did not speak to her.
After the introductions concluded, the party began mounting again, this time to ride together toward the Blackthron keep where talks would begin. Serena was positioned near the rear this time, a little distance from Livia. The woman hadn’t spoken to her since the carriage arrived. Serena didn’t mind. Her mind was too full.
She could feel it again, that tight feeling in her chest, like something was going to go wrong. Darius hadn’t spoken to her. Livia didn’t trust her. The Dawnbreak delegate was unreadable. And all around her, wolves were watching.
Still, she mounted again and rode forward, her posture perfect, her smile faint. She had been prepared for this. And even if the plan was built on secrecy and illusion, it was one step closer to healing Ironshade or being the reason for it’s ruin.
As the line of horses trotted through the thinning trees, the sky overhead grew clearer. And in the wind, she could smell it.