Through the horses' frustrated struggle and the slow movement of the carriages in front of them, they finally stopped in front of a three-story inn.
Elora felt her thighs and her backside ache from sitting too long, and Thorn lost his earlier enthusiasm and liveliness.
His body was wrapped in her fur coat, and his nose and eyes were pink from cold.
"We're here, my lady!" the boy called out as soon as the carriage stopped.
Elora opened the door and jumped down in a smooth motion, stretching as the sounds of popping bones echoed from her body.
"Achoo! Finally—" Thorn's next words were drowned out by the loud bang of fireworks lighting up the sky.
"Your Majesty, I'll go book a room and hot water for your bath," Nalia said, waiting for Elora's response.
"Do that, and book a room, a hot meal, and water for the boy. Let's go in," Elora instructed as she took Thorn's cold hand and rubbed it gently to warm him up.
