The carriage wheels crunched softly against the gravel, the sound loud in the quiet, pre-dawn air. It was a rhythmic, lulling noise, but inside the dark cabin, neither Ines nor Carcel was sleeping.
They were sitting side by side on the velvet seat. Carcel's arm was wrapped around Ines's shoulders, holding her close to his side. Ines rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady, strong beat of his heart. It was slower now than it had been in his study, steady and reassuring.
She pulled the rough wool cloak tighter around herself. Underneath, she was still wearing Edith's gray maid uniform. It felt strange against her skin now—scratchy and foreign—but it also felt like a secret badge of honor.
The carriage began to slow.
Ines sat up, pulling away from his warmth. The loss of contact made her shiver.
"We are here," she whispered, peering out the small window.
