"please!" she waved to the driver dozing off on his horse.
"Now!"
Aria stepped into the carriage, slamming the door closed.
It lurched forward, drawn by weary horses.
Minutes later, the glare of the palace lights stretched endless rows of trees into the dark roads.
Only then did Aria collapse to the carpeted floor of the carriage in relief.
"Appalling."
Even with this body's memories of what treatment to expect, those people were worse than she thought!
Palming her face, she took deep breaths to steady her pounding heart.
"End things with Prince Dickhead? First step complete!" Aria whispered, her excitement building.
Her hands curled into a victorious fist. Happiness flooded her, then trepidation.
What next?
Aria regarded the passing scenery as the carriage rumbled over old cobblestone.
"Step one finished," she murmured, voice low. "Now we figure out step two."
She began to doze off.
Miles ahead lay Ravensvale house, crumbling, debt-ridden, and empty.
