Liam plummeted through the open sky, the relentless wind whipping across his face like icy lashes. His stomach lurched as the ground rushed up to meet him, a blur of distant trees and winding paths. For one terrifying heartbeat, everything narrowed to the roar in his ears and the certainty of impact. 'Not like this,' he thought, teeth clenched. He twisted mid-air, fingers fumbling for the enchanted cushion strapped to his side—the one artifact that had saved him more times than he cared to count. He yanked it free and slammed it beneath him just as the world spun closer.
The landing was jarring but survivable. The cushion absorbed the worst of the force, blooming outward with a soft glow before contracting again. Liam rolled off it, springing to his feet with a grunt, heart hammering against his ribs. Dust settled around him. Ahead, a ornate carriage had come to an abrupt halt on the narrow road, its horses stamping nervously. The driver's door swung open.
