The journey back to the castle was filled with a sense of triumph and relief. The once tense and battle-hardened group was now relaxed, their spirits lifted by the victory they had achieved.
The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden light over the landscape, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, the world seemed at peace.
Riley was the first to break the silence, a broad grin spreading across her face. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I could really use a long bath and a proper meal," she said, her voice filled with the kind of lightness that had been absent during the battle.
Seraphine, walking beside her, laughed softly. "And perhaps a bed that doesn't feel like it's made of rocks. Honestly, I never thought I'd miss the luxury of a good mattress so much."
