{Seraphina's POV, first person.}
The journey to the Valemont estate passed in near silence, yet the silence itself felt unbearably loud to me. Every creak of the carriage wheels, every distant sound of horses against stone, every rustle of fabric beside me seemed sharpened somehow, as though my emotions had heightened every sensation until I could no longer separate my thoughts from the ache inside my chest. Maribel stayed beside me the entire ride without trying to force conversation, but I could feel her watching me occasionally with quiet concern, as if she feared I might suddenly shatter apart again if left alone with my thoughts too long.
