Late afternoon light fell across the merchant gate at the back of the castle. This gate was used by merchants to enter the castle. Alina waited in the shadows of the stone archway until Emeric finally appeared at the gate, looking exhausted.
His coat hung loosely from his shoulders, wrinkled and stained with ink while a heavy leather satchel bulged at his side.
"You look terrible," Alina said the moment he stopped in front of her.
Emeric gave her a tired smile.
"And you look worried. We are even."
She led him quickly through the servant corridors. Evelyn spotted them from the kitchen and quietly shoved a warm piece of bread into Emeric's hands before turning back to her work.
They climbed the back staircase and stepped into Austin's study, where Austin and Maren were already waiting for them. Maren gestured for Emeric to sit. He sat down and opened his bag.
