The Life They Chose
By evening, Blackwood smelled like fresh-cut wood, stone dust, and food. The shattered windows had been covered. The northern wall had finally accepted the Aurelis stone after Isolde asked the estate’s permission three separate times. Mason claimed the manor was being dramatic. The manor dropped another roof tile near him. No one disagreed after that. Luna stood in the main hall watching warriors carry long tables from the dining room into the courtyard. “What’s happening?” she asked. Evelyn looked up from a stack of plates. “Dinner.” “For the entire estate?” “For everyone still inside the boundary.” “That’s a lot of people.” “Exactly.” Mason walked past carrying a wooden bench over one shoulder. “We survived ancient kings, living crowns, frozen time, and family reunions.” H
- Writer
