The fresh air barely helped calm Carolena's nerves before Captain Soren escorted her back to the carriage, and the party continued on its way to the Eternal Court. Constantly jostled by the wheels bouncing along the dirt path, Carolena was left with nothing more than her thoughts and the woolen blanket.

Twice now, she had been thrust into some unknown place in the midst of her sleep. The first time could have easily been dismissed as a horrid nightmare, but last night… Her fingers reached up to the bandages covering her arm, courtesy of the captain. He had been so polite, offering to turn and stand guard while Carolena removed her shirt and washed the blood away in the stream. It was not like she would be completely exposed, still having on an undershirt, but it was a respectful gesture nonetheless. Carolena was also thankful that she could blame the icy waters for her tremors.

How it was happening was beyond her knowledge. She had never even heard of worldwalking as an ability for those with magic, from what her mother had told her about her father. Her magic was something she had never dared to explore beyond the shimmering light she would spend on late-night writing. Had this also been a gift from her father? Ma had never spoken of the powers Pa had, only that he hailed from a long line of magic users rumored to be blessed by Veya herself.

Carolena bit her lip at the questions piling up in her mind, curling her toes at each new prospect. Ma would have told her.

Captain Soren only stopped the party once for a quick bite and change of position for the day, giving Carolena a small nod as she accepted her food. Meanwhile, Prince Bastian seemed quite content to vanish among the guards, never bothering to brief Carolena on her purpose in the Eternal Court on the way there. The spoiled prince could have his fun as long as he kept his word.

They had to be nearing the Eternal Court soon, judging from the sun that dipped closer to the western horizon in front of them. In front of the royal city lay the Falfail Wilds that guarded it carefully with whispers of beasts and demons lurking in the shadows. Carolena only prayed to Veya that they would stop for the night before reaching the forest.

The guards must have had the same fear as she did because, just before they entered, the party stopped for the night. Her fingers latched onto the medallion again, waiting for Soren's quick footsteps and hurried opening of the door. He seemed so flushed earlier today when he checked over Carolena's arm again after dropping off her midday rations.

As if on cue, the sound of shoes keeping a fast pace neared the carriage door. "Miss Carolena," Soren called from the door.

"You can drop the Miss, Soren," Carolena gave him a small smile as he opened the cage she was stuck in. "No need for such formalities."

Captain Soren dipped his head in apology, handing her a small bowl of food. Hunting must have proven well in the last hour or so with roasted pheasant and greens. Reaching for the meal, Carolena glanced just past his shoulder to the large bonfire at the edge of the woods. She could feel the heat from the carriage, warming her core and igniting a spark in her eyes.

"You can join us if you wish," Soren offered softly. "They might be a bit rowdy, but you can stay by me if that would make you comfortable."

Throwing a grateful glance in his direction, Carolena allowed Soren to help her out of the carriage and guide her toward the fire. Guards lounged around, some drinking out of an unmarked jug that must be the ale they had saved. She was surprised they had any left over from the late hour when everyone went to bed.

Smoke dusted the horizon as it billowed up from the eager tongues that ate away at the wood. Loud chatter erupted from the center as guards talked the night away, some stories of battle and conquest, others of lost love and nights pillaging unfortunate towns. Carolena leaned in as she and Soren took up a log near the fire, catching words here and there from their conversations.

As her eyes traveled over the crowd, she realized that the prince was nowhere to be found. Carolena pursed her lips together. If he was arrogant enough not to enjoy this time with his men, let him stay away for the night. The last thing she needed was a prince in a sour or bored mood.

The night grew dark, howls of creatures echoing between the trees further into the Wilds. Carolena's fingers tapped onto the log as the circle of guards around her leaned in to hear the legend of the Dark King. It was a well-known fairytale that mesmerized everyone, and it was a perfect campfire tale for those under the stars. Her other hand tugged the woolen fabric over her shoulders, the scratchy threads scraping her arm above the bandages as the man continued the story.

"… and when the blessed prince returned," the older man waved his hand over the flames. "He found his family slaughtered. Throats ripped open, and blood spilled upon the marble floors." Gods, Carolena never remembered the story being this horrific. "He wailed for three days and three nights and festered in his despair for three weeks after. Mael, seeing his chance, slipped from the Below to the mortal realm to visit the new king. In his private court, the god tempted the king with an offer of retribution, and it caught the attention of the king. After a night of consideration, the king agreed—but never asked what the price was for revenge.

"His mortal soul was sucked away, deep into the Below, and rage consumed his soul along with a power said to be death itself. Never before had the land tremored than with this new Dark King. Mael personly guided him to the court who had stolen his kin and unleashed Death upon the city. By nightfall of that same day, not a single breath was heard in the walls of that court." The world seemed to fall silent; even the crackling embers had fallen victim to the quiet. "Veya had seen what he had done and stripped him of his blessing, cursing him to follow every soul to their place in the Above and Below for the rest of his immortal life to repay the evil he had unleashed." No one moved, and no sound was uttered as the man's words billowed away with the smoke.

Many of the other guards had retired to their tents or hammocks, leaving only a handful still awake in the dead of night. Soren stood slowly and reached for the stars as his back curved inwards, and he gave Carolena a small smile. Motioning for her to follow, the two made their way back to the carriage for the night.

Carolena hesitated as Soren opened the door. Solitude could mean sleep, even though she was doubtful any would come to her tonight. Her fingers gripped the blanket a little tighter as she reached for the door to step up.

Soren's eyebrows raised slightly. "Not tired? Or worried about tomorrow."

She honestly could not decide which one she was more anxious about, reaching the Eternal Court finally or the prospect of another nightmare. A smile slipped over her face, and she turned back to the captain, toes curling in her boots. "A bit of both, plus my arm is sore, and I don't think I would get much sleep anyway."

"I see." Soren moved to the door and shut it. "In that case, I wouldn't mind having some company tonight. The night watches are brutal."

The two slipped off, weaving between sleeping body after body. Carolena didn't let the captain out of her sight as they reached the current post. Soren was waving the current guards off and bidding them good rest as they settled into the small rocks just on the tree line. Hemlock reached up into the night in front of them, and from somewhere in the depths of the Wilds came a growl that made Carolena glad to see that the captain still wore his sword.

Carolena shuffled a few small rocks along the ground with her feet. "So, what's it like? The Eternal Court?"

Soren chuckled at her question. "Beautiful, shines like the brightest gems from Amberval when the sun hits the palace."

"And the people?" She casually tossed into the conversation. Better to know now if the court members would ignore her. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if she was invisible in the palace walls.

"They aren't all horrible," the captain mused. "But I suppose if you get on their bad side, I wouldn't envy you."

Carolena rolled her eyes. "Fair enough."

A few moments of silence pattered by. "I assume you really wanted to ask about the prince?" Heat flushed to Carolena's face at Soren's observation.

"I take it I was being too obvious."

"Only a little. You do realize whatever I know most likely will reach him one way or another."

"I considered it," Carolena sighed. "But I figured the chance to talk to someone who's been inside the court could help me. Even if our conversations aren't private."

Soren chuckled, a low, warm sound that put her anxieties at ease. "Gods help me if you meet Ophie."

"Ophie?" Her brow raised at the name.

"My sister," Soren offered. "Like you, she has a way of weaseling into things. I have a feeling you would get into a lot of trouble with her."

Sister. So that was why he seemed so concerned over her well-being. Carolena grinned at the idea of causing a little mischief, and perhaps it was owed for taking her away.

"Gods forbid we do meet," Carolena tossed a wink at the captain.

They shared in that moment for a while, and mutual respect and understanding flooded the night. Soren's face darkened, chewing his lip. "The prince… Bastian isn't all that bad." First name basis, Carolena noted. "No one is allowed to know the extent of the issue, but from what rumors I've heard, the king has been bedridden for some time now. The idea of taking the crown, I think it's daunting to him."

Carolena nodded, finding the rocks at her feet interesting once again. "And his… hobby. Do you think—"

"No," Soren cut her off quickly. "As far as I can tell, he's not interested in you being one of his trinkets. But it does exist."

A shiver ran down Carolena's spine. At least, that was one thing that she wouldn't have to concern herself with for the time being. Out of words and questions, she let herself stand watch with the captain until dawn crept over the trees, and the world stirred as it awoke.