I waited until the castle exhaled.
That was how it felt when the last lamps dimmed and the corridors fell into that deep silent rest that said it time to rest.
The guards grew lax in posture if not in presence. Servants withdrew into shadows. The air itself loosened.
Only then did I finally make my move.
The fireflies hovered just beyond the window, patient, pulsing softly like a second heartbeat.
I drew my cloak tighter around my shoulders, tied my hair back with trembling fingers, and rested my palm against my belly for a moment.
"Quiet," I whispered. "We're going. You have to assure me you will be quiet."
I felt a sharp kick.
Stranger than usual and I twisted my jaw at the feeling of the pain.
"We need to be quiet." I pleaded
A soft roll answered me, steady, trusting.
And then there was no strange kick anymore.
I wasn't going to be able to follow the door because I knew that there were guards stationed.
Waiting for any intruder especially since my last night out.
