The carriage rocked with a snap as it hit a rock, causing the three women gazing from each window to shake.
"It's such a long way..."
"Be quiet, Asmodea, we'll be home soon."
"..."
Alice tried to comfort her niece while Vinea remained quiet, ignoring both her sister and aunt. The girls were heading back after visiting the capital of Grigor.
The carriage rattled again. Dust kicked up around the wheels as they rolled down the uneven trail. Outside, pine trees blurred past, tall and silent, their trunks soaked in late autumn mist.
Alice adjusted the sword at her hip, glancing toward the nearest window. Her red eyes narrowed.
"We're close to the border," she said. "Half a day, maybe less."
Asmodea slumped in her seat, arms folded. "It feels longer."
"You've done nothing but stare outside for the last hour."
"I'm not staring! But thinking."
"About?"
"Darling of course?"
