The forest pressed closer the further we went.
At first, it was just thicker trunks and broader canopies. Then the vines began to creep in—long, knotted things brushing against the carriage walls, some even dragging along the carriage's roof.
I kept my eyes on them, watching the greenery close in like it had a mind of its own.
"You're still worried?" Liona asked, glancing my way.
I didn't answer right away.
She followed my gaze to the window, then sighed softly. "If it's the route that's bothering you, I can ask the coachman."
She leaned forward slightly. "Coachman?"
No response.
Her brow furrowed. "Coachman," she called again, a little louder.
Still nothing.
That got her to sit up fully.
Her posture straightened, the lazy edge from earlier gone as she spoke a third time—firm now. "Coachman."
This time, the man finally turned his head, peering back through the small opening at the front of the carriage.
"Yes, ma'am?" he said, irritation clear in his voice. "What is it now?"
Liona held his gaze. "We're still en route to the capital, correct?"
He let out a short breath through his nose. "Of course we are. Roads wind where they wind. You can see we're still moving, can't you?"
His tone wasn't respectful, but it was convincing—at least it sounded convincing.
Liona studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "See?" she said to me as she settled back. "We're still on the right path."
Even so, there was a faint hesitation in her eyes.
"So you're just taking his word for it?" I muttered.
She shot me a look. "Why wouldn't I? He was sent by the princess herself."
"Maybe," I said, glancing forward again. "But don't royal coach drivers usually look a little more… put together? This guy looks like he slept in a ditch."
The driver's eyes flicked back to me—sharp and annoyed—before he faced forward again.
Liona exhaled quietly. "That doesn't change the fact that he's still our driver. And unless you plan on walking us the rest of the way, we don't exactly have options."
I clicked my tongue, leaning back.
She had a point.
The road narrowed as we went on, trees pressing closer until the path barely fit the carriage.
Then, without warning, the horses slowed.
And stopped.
The driver hopped down from his seat."Looks like the road's tightened up," he said shortly. "I'll check ahead, see if the road opens up."
And just like that, he was gone.
I folded my arms. "Great."
I glanced at Liona. "At this rate, we won't be seeing the capital anytime soon."
"That much is obvious," she replied calmly, already reaching into her luggage. "Good thing I planned ahead."
She pulled out a small bundle wrapped in leafcloth—dried honeyed nuts pressed together with fruit paste.
"Ooh," I said. "That smells good."
She took a bite.
I waited for her to chew before asking. "Can I have some—"
"No."
My smile faded just a little. "You didn't have to say it like that, you know."
She ignored me and continued feasting on her snack.
I turned back toward the window, letting my eyes wander over the dense greenery instead.
For a while, there was nothing out of the ordinary—just leaves, vines, the usual things you'd see in a forest.
That's when I noticed something. Something glinting faintly between the branches of a nearby tree—just a flicker at first. I squinted, watching it shift slightly… then go still.
What is that?
Probably just light catching something.
Still...
My eyes remained fixed on it... until It moved again—this time it was headed straight for us.
Tiny pieces of glass shattered as it burst through the carriage window, burying itself violently into the seat beside me.
Only then did I see what it really was.
An arrow.