Behind me, Lady Charlotte released a shaky breath.
But I did not. Because if the prince himself was coming with us to the Abylion cave… then whatever waited there tonight must be far more serious than any of us had imagined.
Not long after, we began our journey.
Most of the maidens here could ride a horse, and each of them was given one by the soldiers. The animals snorted softly as they were mounted, their breaths turning faintly white in the cold night air.
I, however, could not ride. So I had no choice but to sit behind General Cedric. It was humiliating. But still… I would rather die than ride with Prince Nathan.
The palace gates slowly opened behind us, and the long line of horses moved forward into the night.
The forest swallowed us soon after. It was thick and dark, the towering trees blocking what little light the moon offered. The branches twisted overhead like ancient fingers, and the deeper we rode, the quieter the world seemed to become.
