Moonlight faded quietly into a pale lavender sky as the royal horse galloped through the narrow forest trail.
The deeper they rode, the thicker the trees grew; moss softened the ground beneath the hooves, muting every sound, as though the forest itself was holding its breath.
The horse suddenly leaped over a wide gash in the earth.
Emilia gasped, her body pitching forward before strong arms tightened around her waist, pulling her firmly back.
Her breath stuttered as her back collided with Lucas's chest, solid and warm.
For a brief, dangerous moment, she forgot where she was and was only aware of the steady rise and fall of his breathing behind her.
Lucas didn't loosen his hold as they continued, and she exhaled slowly.
The journey stretched on, long and quiet—so quiet that the only sounds were the rush of wind through pine needles and the soft, relentless thud of a heartbeat against her back.
Emilia even doubted whether it was his or her own.
