He flicked the reins with a small frown and they were off, heading back to their peaceful, little village.
She looked over her shoulder at the city, her brows furrowed before she looked back at the horizon, her shoulders hunched with guilt.
The day had passed. The sun hung above the horizon by the time they made it home. Their travels had gone without a hitch, and they stopped the cart at June's, Firo tilting his head. "Have a good night, June."
She got off the cart, nodding slightly as she brushed the grass off her trousers. "You too, Firo. Sleep well."
She woke the next morning at the sound of the rooster crowing as she usually did. Her routine returned to normal, and she sleepily got up, washing her face before slipping on her clothes, getting ready for the new day.
The barn seemed normal, but the animals were a little spooked. As she headed further into the barn the door behind her was closed, but light filtered in through the boards and windows. She would hear a voice that was familiar, but at the same time different. It held itself differently. "You're finally awake then. How nice of you to come out here."
She turned suddenly, pulling her cloak tighter around her and stepping in front of the animals protectively.
It was Melas. He was standing tall, a wide grin on his face. "Don't worry, I'm not here for the animals," he said smoothly. "I'm here for you." He pushed back his hair to see better. In the darkness his eyes may have looked a brown or gray, but they were the same eyes from her dream. A sharp violet. She suddenly remembered where she had seen them before. Portraits. She had seem them in old portraits painted at the time of monarchy. Zerras.
Her breath hitched in her chest and she watched him nervously, her brows furrowing. "You're the one I saw," she said, her voice low and quiet. "In my vision. You're the one who brings the bloodshed."
