The corridor was quiet that evening, lit only by the flickering sconces lining the stone walls. Sophia's footsteps echoed softly until she halted, catching sight of a familiar silhouette approaching. Ava.
Sophia narrowed her eyes and stepped directly into her friend's path.
"What?" Ava asked, her tone clipped.
"We need to talk," Sophia said, turning sharply on her heel.
When she didn't hear footsteps behind her, she paused and glanced back.
Ava stood unmoving, arms folded.
Sophia raised a single brow.
With a huff of resignation, Ava followed.
They stood side by side on the royal terrace, overlooking the palace grounds. Beyond the iron balustrade, the lights of the market square blinked faintly like stars fallen to earth. The wind was soft and cool, brushing their gowns as they sipped quietly from pewter cups.
"Speak," Sophia said at last, folding her arms.
"I'm fine," Ava replied quickly, too quickly, raising the ale to her lips.
Sophia didn't buy it for a moment.
"You may be fooling the others, but not me. Your walls are beginning to crack and people are noticing." Her gaze softened. "Ava… you know you can tell me anything."
Ava hesitated. Her grip tightened around the cup.
"In a week, we'll leave Aldovia," she said quietly, her voice carrying on the breeze. "And I should be happy. But I'm not. I'm terrified."
Sophia said nothing, letting the silence pull the truth from her.
"You know what Brindlemark was like for me," Ava continued, her voice a low tremble. "I wasn't a maid, I was property. My master paraded me like a trinket when it suited him, passed me between friends and business partners like I was... nothing."
Her voice cracked. Tears glimmered unshed in her eyes.
"I ran with you because it was the only way out," she whispered. "If I go back, if he finds me, I won't survive it, Sophia."
Without hesitation, Sophia pulled her into an embrace.
"That's never going to happen," she said fiercely. "You're not alone anymore. You have me. You have all of us. And we would burn Brindle Mark to the ground before we let him touch you again."
Ava gave a soft, shaky laugh, brushing her cheek.
"I have a favour to ask."
"Already?" Sophia asked, raising a brow. "You never waste an opportunity."
"This one's important," Ava said. "I know you've made allies in Aldovia. Lend me some of them. I need eyes and ears."
Sophia's curiosity flared. "For what, exactly?"
"I want dirt on Lady Adriana," Ava said, her voice sharp with determination. "Something real. Something dark. Enough to chase her out of this palace and away from Lola for good."
Sophia's lips curved slowly, clearly impressed.
"Well then," she said, tossing back the last of her ale. "Let the hunt begin."