Divided by Canals, United by Secrets

Fallon Rossi grows up in the divided city of Luce, where canals separate the privileged, magical pure-blooded Fae from the impoverished halflings and humans. Born to a disgraced family, Fallon's life is shaped by poverty, prejudice, and the love of her grandmother and mother—one lucid, the other broken. Her affinity for animals, especially the dangerous sea serpents, marks her as different, even among the outcasts. The city's beauty is a thin veil over its cruelty, and Fallon's earliest memories are of navigating both literal and social waters, learning to survive in a world that sees her as less. Yet, beneath the surface, ancient secrets and old wounds fester, waiting for the right moment to resurface.

The Beast-Charmer's Awakening

A childhood encounter with a mareserpens—one that heals rather than harms her—sets Fallon apart. Her ability to connect with creatures others fear or despise becomes both a source of wonder and suspicion. The incident draws the attention of the city's authorities and the royal family, especially Prince Dante, who intervenes on her behalf. Fallon's reputation as a "beast-charmer" grows, making her both a curiosity and a threat. Her grandmother warns her to hide her gift, knowing that in Luce, difference is dangerous. This awakening is not just magical but emotional, as Fallon's empathy for the city's outcasts—human and animal alike—becomes the core of her identity and the seed of her future destiny.

Royal Tides and Forbidden Hearts

Ten years later, Fallon's world is upended by the return of Prince Dante, her childhood friend and secret love. Their connection is undeniable, but the gulf between their stations is as wide as the canals. Dante's presence rekindles old hopes and new dangers, as the politics of Luce grow more volatile. The king's looming betrothal, the city's simmering unrest, and the ever-present threat of war cast long shadows. Fallon's heart is torn between longing and loyalty, as she navigates the treacherous waters of court intrigue, family shame, and her own desires. The city's fate, and her own, seem increasingly entwined with the prince's, even as forces conspire to keep them apart.

The Prophecy of Five Crows

A mysterious woman named Bronwen, a blind seer from the forbidden swamps of Rax, delivers a prophecy to Fallon: "Free the five iron crows, and you will be queen." The cryptic message hints at a destiny far beyond anything Fallon imagined. Bronwen's warnings and riddles unsettle her, especially as her mother, lost in madness, seems to know more than she can say. Fallon is drawn into a quest that will force her to confront the city's deepest secrets, her own hidden heritage, and the true nature of power. The prophecy becomes both a beacon and a burden, setting her on a path that will test her courage, loyalty, and heart.

Masks, Markets, and Murmurs

Fallon's daily life is a delicate dance of work, family, and secrecy. She toils in the Bottom of the Jug tavern, fending off advances and rumors, while her grandmother schemes to protect her from the city's dangers. The market's bustle hides hungry eyes and sharper tongues, and every interaction is fraught with risk. Friends and would-be lovers—Antoni, Sybille, Phoebus—offer comfort and complication. The city's undercurrents swirl with gossip about the "beast-charmer," and Fallon's every move is watched. Yet, in the shadows, alliances form, bargains are struck, and the first threads of rebellion begin to weave through the city's tapestry.

The Prince Returns, the Past Remains

Dante's return brings both hope and heartbreak. Their shared history is a source of strength, but also a reminder of all that divides them. The prince's loyalty is tested by family duty, political machinations, and his own feelings for Fallon. As the king's betrothal approaches, tensions rise, and the city's fragile peace begins to crack. Fallon's encounters with the royal family, the city's elite, and the ever-watchful commander Silvius reveal the depth of Luce's corruption. The past refuses to stay buried, and the choices of their ancestors cast long shadows over the present. Fallon and Dante must decide where their loyalties truly lie.

Rax: Shadows and Soothsayers

Desperate for answers, Fallon ventures into Rax, the lawless human swamps, seeking Bronwen and the truth behind the prophecy. The journey is perilous, filled with danger and revelation. In Rax, the lines between friend and foe blur, and Fallon's compassion is both weapon and weakness. She learns of the city's forgotten history, the ancient war between Fae and Crows, and the true cost of power. The encounter with Bronwen deepens the mystery, as Fallon is drawn into a web of fate that stretches far beyond Luce. The seeds of rebellion are sown, and Fallon's role as both pawn and player becomes clear.

Revels, Rejections, and Rifts

Excluded from the royal revel, Fallon's sense of isolation deepens. Her family's shame, her own poverty, and the city's prejudice weigh heavily. Yet, in the margins, she finds moments of joy, friendship, and even love. A night in Rax with friends and rivals leads to confessions, kisses, and heartbreak. The boundaries between loyalty and desire blur, as Fallon is forced to choose between the safety of the known and the promise of the unknown. The city's divisions are mirrored in her own heart, and every choice carries consequences.

The Bargain of Blood and Salt

Fallon's unique immunity to iron and salt—her ability to lie under oath—sets her apart even among outcasts. This rare trait, a legacy of her mysterious heritage, becomes both shield and sword. The city's enforcers, led by the ruthless Silvius, close in, and Fallon is forced to navigate a labyrinth of bargains, betrayals, and blood debts. Her grandmother's secrets, her mother's madness, and her own forbidden love all converge, threatening to unravel everything she's fought for. The price of survival grows steeper, and the line between victim and villain blurs.

Serpents, Saviors, and Sacrifice

As tensions escalate, the city is rocked by attacks—serpents in the canals, riots in the streets, and the looming threat of invasion. Fallon's bond with the mareserpens becomes both a blessing and a curse, drawing the attention of the king and his enemies. The prophecy's call grows louder, and Fallon is forced to make impossible choices: whom to trust, whom to save, and what she's willing to sacrifice. The city's fate hangs in the balance, and Fallon's actions will determine not just her own destiny, but that of Luce itself.

The Crow's Call to Destiny

Guided by Bronwen's riddles and Lore's (the Crow King's) cryptic guidance, Fallon embarks on a perilous quest to free the five iron crows. Each crow is hidden in a place of power or pain: a noble's vault, the palace's trophy room, a ravine in the mountains, a sunken galleon, and a Shabbin grove. Along the way, Fallon confronts her own heritage, the truth of her parentage, and the legacy of the ancient war between Fae and Crows. Allies become enemies, and enemies become allies, as the true stakes of the prophecy are revealed.

Betrayals, Bargains, and Bloodlines

As Fallon frees each crow, the lines between Fae, Crow, and human blur. She learns she is the daughter of a Crow and a Shabbin woman, a living bridge between warring peoples. Her immunity to iron and salt is the key to breaking the curse, but also the reason she was hidden, her magic bound before birth. The revelation shatters her sense of self and her trust in those she loves. Dante's loyalty wavers, torn between love and duty, while Lore's intentions remain enigmatic. The city's power players close in, and Fallon must decide who she truly is—and what she's willing to become.

The Sky Kingdom Revealed

The quest leads Fallon to the Sky Kingdom, the ancient home of the Crows, hidden in the mountains and clouds. Here, the true history of Luce is revealed: the betrayal of the Crows, the Fae's rise to power, and the centuries-old curse that binds them all. Fallon's role as curse-breaker is both a gift and a burden, and the weight of destiny presses down. In the Sky Kingdom, she finds both belonging and alienation, as the past and future collide. The final crow awaits, and with it, the fate of two kingdoms.

The Gathering Storm

As Fallon and her allies race to free the last crow, the city's enemies gather: Marco, the ruthless king; Silvius, the relentless commander; and the hidden forces of Shabbe and Nebba. The final confrontation looms, and every alliance is tested. Friends are captured, bargains are struck, and the cost of victory grows ever higher. Fallon's power, once a secret, becomes the city's last hope. The storm breaks over Luce, and the battle for the throne—and the soul of the kingdom—begins.

The Galleon's Curse

The final crow is imprisoned in a sunken galleon, guarded by serpents and the ghosts of the past. Fallon, aided by her friends and the newly awakened Crow King, braves the depths to free it. The city's armies converge, and a titanic battle erupts on sea and shore. Magic and steel, fire and water, fate and free will all collide. The cost is high—lives are lost, blood is spilled, and the city's future hangs by a thread. In the chaos, Fallon must choose between love and duty, vengeance and mercy.

The Crow King Ascends

With the five crows united, Lore (the Crow King) is restored to his full power, and the ancient curse is broken. The city's old order is shattered, and a new balance of power emerges. Dante claims the throne of Luce, but only by making a pact with Lore, who reclaims the Sky Kingdom and the lands of the outcasts. The city is divided, but hope flickers on the horizon. Fallon, changed by her journey, stands at the crossroads of two worlds—Fae and Crow, love and power, past and future.

Truths Unveiled, Crowns Claimed

In the aftermath, secrets are laid bare: Fallon's true parentage, the history of the Crows, and the betrayals that shaped Luce. Dante's love is tested by ambition and fear, while Lore's enigmatic affection offers both danger and possibility. Fallon must decide where she belongs—and who she will become. The prophecy is fulfilled, but at a cost. The city is forever changed, and Fallon's journey is far from over. As the dust settles, new threats and new hopes emerge, and the story of the House of Beating Wings continues.

Characters

Fallon Rossi

Fallon is the heart of the story—a halfling girl marked by compassion, resilience, and a rare affinity for animals. Raised in poverty and shame, she is shaped by her grandmother's fierce love and her mother's brokenness. Her journey from outcast to queen-in-waiting is fraught with danger, betrayal, and self-discovery. Fallon's immunity to iron and salt, her hidden Crow and Shabbin heritage, and her role as the prophesied curse-breaker make her both a target and a savior. Torn between love for Dante and the enigmatic pull of Lore, she must navigate a world that fears and needs her. Her greatest strength is her empathy, but it is also her greatest vulnerability.

Dante Regio

Dante is the prince of Luce, caught between duty and desire. His friendship and love for Fallon are genuine, but he is bound by the expectations of his family and the politics of the city. Dante is brave, loyal, and compassionate, but also flawed—his ambition and fear of losing power lead him to make hard choices, including betrayal. His journey is one of self-discovery, as he learns the true cost of leadership and the meaning of love. Dante's relationship with Fallon is both a source of strength and a crucible, testing his values and his heart.

Lore (Lorcan Ríhbiadh, the Crow King)

Lore is both man and myth—a shifter king cursed to exist as five iron crows, waiting centuries for release. His power is immense, his motives complex. He is at once protector and manipulator, ally and adversary. Lore's connection to Fallon is deep, rooted in shared blood and destiny. He is haunted by past betrayals and driven by a desire to reclaim his people's place in the world. His affection for Fallon is both paternal and romantic, a reflection of his own divided nature. Lore embodies the story's themes of transformation, vengeance, and the search for belonging.

Bronwen

Bronwen is the enigmatic diviner whose prophecy sets the story in motion. Her riddles and warnings guide Fallon, but her true motives are hidden. As Fallon's aunt and a Shabbin witch, Bronwen is both family and mystery. Her sacrifices—trading her sight for foresight, manipulating events from the shadows—make her a figure of both power and tragedy. Bronwen represents the story's themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the cost of knowledge.

Ceres Rossi (Nonna)

Ceres is Fallon's grandmother, a full-blooded Fae who sacrifices everything for her family. Her love is both shield and shackle, as she tries to protect Fallon from the world's dangers and her own past mistakes. Ceres's relationship with her daughter and granddaughter is fraught with guilt, pride, and unspoken pain. She embodies the story's themes of legacy, loyalty, and the burden of survival.

Silvius Dargento

Silvius is the city's iron-fisted commander, a symbol of the Fae's cruelty and the dangers of unchecked power. His obsession with Fallon, his willingness to use violence and manipulation, and his loyalty to the crown make him both a formidable antagonist and a tragic figure. Silvius represents the story's exploration of authority, prejudice, and the corrupting influence of fear.

Antoni Greco

Antoni is a halfling who offers Fallon both friendship and the possibility of love outside the city's rigid hierarchies. His loyalty, humor, and courage make him a valuable ally, but his own wounds and ambitions complicate their relationship. Antoni's journey mirrors Fallon's, as he struggles to find his place in a world that devalues him. He represents the story's themes of hope, resilience, and the search for meaning.

Sybille Amari

Sybille is Fallon's closest friend, a source of support, laughter, and occasional exasperation. Her loyalty is unwavering, but she is not afraid to challenge Fallon or speak hard truths. Sybille's own struggles with family, love, and identity parallel Fallon's, and her presence grounds the story in the realities of daily life. She embodies the importance of chosen family and the power of friendship.

Phoebus Acolti

Phoebus is the heart of Fallon's found family—a pure-blooded Fae who rejects his privilege to stand with the outcasts. His kindness, humor, and quiet strength make him a beloved companion. Phoebus's own journey—from privileged scion to revolutionary—mirrors the story's themes of transformation and the courage to defy expectations.

Marco Regio

Marco is the story's primary antagonist—a king whose ambition, cruelty, and paranoia drive much of the conflict. His willingness to sacrifice family, betray allies, and wage war for power makes him both a formidable foe and a cautionary tale. Marco's downfall is both inevitable and tragic, a reminder of the costs of unchecked ambition and the dangers of clinging to the past.

Plot Devices

Prophecy and Destiny

The prophecy of the five iron crows is the story's central plot device, driving Fallon's quest and shaping the actions of allies and enemies alike. It serves as both a map and a mystery, forcing characters to confront their own desires, fears, and histories. The prophecy's ambiguity allows for twists, betrayals, and revelations, keeping the reader—and Fallon—off balance. It also raises questions about fate versus free will, as characters struggle to determine whether they are masters of their own destinies or pawns in a larger game.

Dual Heritage and Hidden Identity

Fallon's mixed heritage—Fae, Crow, and Shabbin—is both the source of her power and the reason she is hunted. Her immunity to iron and salt, her ability to break the curse, and her role as a bridge between worlds all stem from this hidden identity. The gradual revelation of her parentage, the binding of her magic, and the consequences of her bloodline drive much of the story's tension and emotional arc. This device allows for exploration of themes like belonging, prejudice, and the cost of secrets.

Shifting Alliances and Betrayals

The story is rife with shifting alliances—between Fallon and Dante, Fae and Crow, friend and foe. Betrayals, both personal and political, are frequent and often devastating. Characters are forced to make hard choices, sacrifice loved ones, and question their own motives. This device keeps the narrative unpredictable and heightens the stakes, as no relationship is ever truly safe.

Magical Artifacts and Curses

The five iron crows are both literal objects—statues, bowls, cages—and symbols of the city's history, pain, and hope. Their recovery is the key to breaking the ancient curse, restoring Lore, and reshaping the kingdom. The artifacts' locations—vaults, palaces, ravines, sunken ships—mirror the journey's physical and emotional challenges. The curse itself is a metaphor for the city's divisions and the characters' own wounds.

Mind-Walking and Visions

Lore's ability to send visions and communicate telepathically with Fallon is a key narrative device, allowing for exposition, foreshadowing, and deepening of their bond. These visions reveal hidden truths, past traumas, and possible futures, shaping characters' choices and the reader's understanding. The device also blurs the line between reality and dream, fate and agency.

Social Hierarchy and Prejudice

The city's rigid social structure—pure-bloods, halflings, humans—serves as both setting and engine of conflict. Prejudice, poverty, and exclusion shape every character's choices and relationships. The story uses this device to explore themes of power, justice, and the possibility of change.

Analysis

House of Beating Wings is a lush, emotionally charged fantasy that uses the familiar tropes of forbidden love, hidden heritage, and prophecy to explore deeper questions of identity, power, and belonging. At its heart, the novel is about the cost of survival in a world built on division—between Fae and human, pure-blood and halfling, past and future. Fallon's journey from outcast to queen-in-waiting is both a personal and political awakening, as she learns to claim her power, confront her heritage, and challenge the city's old order. The story's use of prophecy and magical artifacts is both a narrative engine and a metaphor for the ways history, trauma, and hope are passed down through generations. The shifting alliances, betrayals, and bargains reflect the complexities of real-world politics and relationships, while the fantasy setting allows for heightened stakes and cathartic transformation. Ultimately, the novel argues that true power lies not in blood or birthright, but in the courage to choose compassion over cruelty, to build bridges rather than walls, and to claim one's own story in the face of fate. The emotional arc is one of loss, resilience, and the hard-won hope that even in a broken world, new wings can rise.

Last updated: September 26, 2025