The sun had fully set by the time they left the courtyard. The sky above the castle had deepened to a velvet blue, scattered with stars that seemed closer here than anywhere Iva had ever been. Caleb led her through winding corridors, past tapestries and torches and guards who bowed as they passed, until they reached a small room she hadn't seen before.
It was a sitting room tucked away in a private corner of the castle—modest by royal standards, but warm and inviting. A fire crackled in a stone hearth. Two oversized armchairs faced each other near the flames, and a small table between them held a decanter of deep red wine and two glasses.
Caleb guided her to one of the chairs and poured them both a glass before settling into the chair across from her.
"No more secrets," he said, echoing
