“You’ve settled in nicely,” he said at one point. “You seem very... comfortable here, for someone whose blood doesn't come from any noble lineage.”
“Almira welcomes all its people, Your Highness,” River replied smoothly. “And I believe loyalty is proven through action, not heritage.”
Thas chuckled.
“That’s a nice thought,” he said. “Very... naive. But noble, nonetheless.”
The carriage veered suddenly off the main road.
River’s hand twitched toward the door handle instinctively. She turned sharply toward the driver’s window.
“Where are we going?”
Before Thas could answer, she heard a low creak. The road narrowed, now flanked by a thick forest—no more open terrain, no more visibility. She tensed.
“It’s a shortcut,” Thas said lazily, stretching his arms. “To a beautiful overlook. The
