Violet's POV
The carriage finally rolled to a stop at the edge of the village. The familiar sights, the modest wooden houses, the small market square, the old well where I had drawn water as a girl, seeing the. brought a strange ache to my chest. This was where I had come from. This was where I had been powerless. Where I had been living the best of my life before Mark came and snatched me away like some sort of slave.
Now I returned as Luna.
Alfred dismounted and helped me down, his expression respectful but watchful. "I'll wait here, Luna. Call if you need me."
I nodded. "I won't be long."
I made my way alone down the narrow path to the small cottage at the edge of the woods. The door opened before I even knocked. Old Mother Elara stood there, ancient, wrinkled, eyes sharp as ever despite her age. She took one look at me and her face softened with recognition.
