"Bridal Silence"

SHADOWED BEGINNING The road stretched endlessly under the pale morning sky, fog curling lazily across the fields. Zane Faulkner leaned back in the driver’s seat of his black sedan, one hand casually on the wheel, the other resting near the window. His face, framed by slightly tousled hair, wore its usual sly half-smile — that infuriatingly calm smile that never revealed more than he wanted. Beside him, Eli was fidgeting. His tie was crooked, his hair slightly unkempt, and his nervous eyes kept darting toward Zane. “Why do you always look like you’re going to a fashion magazine photoshoot while I look like… like a waiter who stole his cousin’s suit?” Eli grumbled. Zane chuckled. “Because, my dear Eli, you were born with a permanent expression of distress. I merely perfected mine.” From the back seat, Lyra let out a soft laugh. She was adjusting her earrings, her reflection caught in the small mirror she held. “He’s not wrong, Eli. You always look like you’ve just been caug...