The grand palace gates stood before her, their iron bars beautifully decorated with intricate patterns that shimmered softly in the fading sunlight. Evelina hesitated at the entrance, her body aching from the ordeal, but her mind raced faster than ever.
"So…" Relia's voice echoed lazily in her mind, her tone light but curious. "What do we think about Mister Blue Eyes? Blaze, was it? A bit dramatic, don't you think?"
Evelina exhaled sharply, ignoring the faint ache in her ribs. "I think he's annoying. And possibly dangerous."
"Oh, come on. He saved you. Technically. Plus he has great hair and really blue eyes."
Evelina rolled her eyes. "I also saved myself. And I wasn't checking out his hair."
"Sure. That's why you remember it."
Choosing not to dignify that with a response, Evelina reached into her satchel, her fingers brushing over the small vial tucked safely inside.
The sample she'd collected from the well was still there, intact. A tiny relief in the middle of the chaos.
