The carriage glided through the city's old heart, hooves muffled on the cobblestones, lanterns shimmering against dusky stone.
Malvoria leaned back into the velvet cushions, her new uniform and Elysia's dress bundled safely in a parcel beside them.
She watched Elysia in profile, the sharp lines of her cheek soft in the golden light, lips slightly parted in thought, the arch of her neck inviting.
Even the faintest movements her fingers running along the embroidery on her skirt, the soft sigh as she settled in seemed to pull Malvoria closer, as if the space between them was nothing at all.
She reached for Elysia's hand and laced their fingers together, her thumb stroking slow, deliberate circles over Elysia's knuckles.
"We have some time," she murmured, voice pitched low. "Why don't we take the scenic route?"
Elysia glanced over, an eyebrow raised in half-amused suspicion. "Are you delaying our return, Your Majesty?"
