As Eiravyne stood next to the carriage, her entire body trembled with fear. She was paralyzed, too scared to even take a step forward.
Throughout her life, she had never defied the rules set for her. The only acts of defiance had been against herself, causing her own pain, whether at the hands of the Romani or Ilkar himself.
But now, she was on the brink of something different. She was taking a step toward freedom, a freedom that didn't involve self-inflicted harm.
It felt alien, almost forbidden. The fear of being caught gnawed at her, making her feel as if this act of liberation was somehow wrong.
Eiravyne's heart raced, her mind a whirlwind of doubt and anxiety.
The shadows of the night seemed to close in around her, amplifying her sense of dread.
She glanced back at the castle half-expecting someone to emerge and drag her back inside, back into the life she so desperately wanted to escape.
