Seraphine's POV
The iron gate clanged shut behind us, and the carriage settled into the rhythm of cobblestones, then dirt road. Cassian sat beside the driver, giving short, clipped orders. Two riders led, two followed. We rode in the middle. Inside, there was no comfort—hard cushions, creaking wood, and a narrow window that let in just enough air to keep me from feeling boxed in.
Darius sat opposite me at first, map folded on his knee, sword resting by his boot where he could reach it in a heartbeat. After a sharp turn he tapped the wooden panel beside him.
“Sit here. Side wind’s pushing. Carriage leans right. Stay there and you’ll sit wrong all day and need Elias by nightfall.”
I didn’t argue. I slid to his side. We didn’t touch, but the carriage felt steadier with him close.
“Two we
