Step it Up 

~ ZARA ~

I thought I'd be bored, but the rest of the morning passed so quickly it stole my breath.

We arrived at the walls of the estate in under two hours—which surprised me. I watched, aching, as the rows of men peeled away from in front and behind us, their horses circling off to surround our sides as the rest of us—just women—continued through the massive gate into the estate, while the men gathered behind.

I couldn't see Ash in the crowd when it happened, and even though I was a little relieved that I didn't have to try and soothe him, it also felt terribly callous to just let him be left back there with all the servants and guards who didn't know me.

I was leaning towards the window, looking, but giving up as we passed between the walls, and I blinked.