Debrief

~ ZARA ~

I was relieved. The creak and roll of Agatha's plush carriage, along with the rattle of the wheels on the rutted road was a symphony of sound that would allow us to talk without being overheard.

She'd ordered her servants to ride "atop," which apparently meant they'd stand on baseplates that folded down from the sides and back of the carriage, rather than in its shadowed belly with us.

I felt bad for them, but grateful, too. Because my heart was fluttering and my stomach clenched with nerves. I wasn't great at hiding my emotions at the best of times, but with every step we took towards this, I grew even more undefended.

So, I sat alone with Agatha on the padded seat of the beautiful carriage, shaking my head. I'd left the curtains on the small window open because I still couldn't quite believe the sight.