The carriage came to a slow stop by the side of the road. The sound of wheels over dirt faded, replaced by the whisper of wind through the trees. The forest rose on both sides, dense.
Don narrowed his eyes. He leaned forward slightly, scanning the surroundings.
Left. Right.
Nothing. No movement. No strange sounds. No presence at all.
He waited a few more seconds.
And then he said—
"You can get off now."
The carriage door opened calmly.
Dorian was the first to step out, descending with his usual ease, as if he were just taking a casual stroll.
But Neros…
Neros came out almost immediately. Fast. Before anyone else. He stepped onto solid ground and, without wasting time, turned around. He extended his hand, straight toward Seraphine.
"…"
She looked at him. And smiled. Without a word, she took his hand and stepped down gracefully, her body floating for just a second before touching the ground.
Neros looked away instantly. Far away.
The tips of his ears… red.
