"The winner of the Moonbound Trials, by right of conquest and character, is Aerys of No Pack."
The King's herald, clad in gold, announced it from Stonehaven's Sun Court's tallest balcony. He spoke to the aristocrats, embassies, even quiet rival packs. The blue sky was rigid.
The odd labyrinth torch was out as I stood on the marble dais below in my dusty travel clothes. I felt hollow, like echoes and choices scraped it. No token in my hand. I had nothing. I won because I was the first to depart the maze's official exit alone after assisting Caelan escape his echo chamber of family duty. As guards found Lyra catatonic at the junction, she never left.
The court applauded politely but seemed perplexed and anxious. They anticipated Frostvale or Lyra. They got a quiet girl with a Frostfang ri
