On their way to the castle, two royal guards rode ahead of the carriage, their silhouettes steady while four followed behind. Inside the carriage, Ruelle sat quietly with the others, a faint dread settling low in her stomach, which only deepened with every beat of the horses' hooves.
The place was less than an hour's ride from the fair and as they neared and soon the castle came into view. Tall spires pierced the sky, their peaks nearly swallowed by the heavy stretch of darkened clouds above.
"Why has the king summoned us as well?" Ruelle asked, glancing at Edward, who seemed far more interested in the passing view beyond the window.
"The guards must have noticed a group of humans lingering around me at the fair," Edward said lightly. "Though I suspect it was the drunken man who started the fight that drew their attention. Otherwise, I doubt anyone would have recognised me. My disguise was rather good."
