The words hung in the air like a blade.
Mira's eyes widened, her grip tightening instinctively around Toby. "Wait—are there bandits? Where are you—" Her voice cracked with genuine fear, memories flooding back. The slap. The mocking laughter. The way those men had looked at her like she was nothing but meat.
Viktor pushed the door open, stepping down onto the dirt path. The cool air hit his face, sharpening his focus.
Inside the carriage, Kaida raised an eyebrow, her red eyes tracking his movements with sharp curiosity. "What does he mean?"
Bella just watched silently, her cat ears twitching as she tried to make sense of the sudden tension.
Mira shifted Toby onto Helena's lap, the older woman accepting the boy with gentle hands. Then Mira moved—scrambling toward the door with a desperation that made her movements clumsy.
"What are you doing? Lord, let's go!" Mira's voice wavered as she climbed down after him, her dress catching on the carriage step before she yanked it free.
