Chapter 28; Home To Ferngrove

I stirred in the carriage seat at the sight of the old church steeple piercing the horizon. Ferngrove. The name whispered through my mind like a forgotten spell. We were still a distance away, the path ahead cluttered with tall bushes and looming trees, but I could see smoke rising from the valley below.

My hands rested on my thighs as I steadied my breathing and gathered my thoughts, the rhythmic gallop of the horses a soothing counterpoint to the rocky, grassy terrain. Somehow, I had slept through the entire ride. Exhaustion had claimed me barely ten minutes after we left Valen's country estate.

Perhaps it was intentional, a way to ensure I didn’t see the path we took. They were determined to keep the entrance to Lyria a secret.

I glanced up at the sky through the carriage window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Rhaenan. Valen had promised he would watch over me, but there was no sign of the warm hearted faerie. Shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I tried to imagine the looks on every