Johanna’s hand rubbed small, soothing circles on her back. "You’ll come back to us, won’t you?" she murmured.
Vivienne closed her eyes. "I will," she answered, trying to convince herself more than Johanna.
* * *
Vivienne hurried home,the morning sun casting golden light over the city streets. She’d barely stashed the pastries in her trunk when the clatter of hooves and the groan of cart wheels sounded outside. She swung the door open. Lewis was already seated on the wooden bench at the back, flanked by two men she didn’t recognize.
The driver tipped his hat. "Miss Banner, I presume?"
"Yes," she confirmed.
"These men will load your trunk." He waved, and the two muscular men climbed down.
Vivienne stepped aside as they hauled her luggage to the cart. She turned, running her fingertips over the carved wood of the front door, committing every detail to memory. With a deep breath, she locked the house and walked away.
She climbed into the cart, settling beside Lewis. The driver clicked his tongue, and the dapple-gray horses trotted forward, the cart swaying with each bump in the road. Vivienne stole a final glance at the house, stone walls, terracotta shingles, sage shutters, before facing forward.No looking back.
For half the ride, silence hung between them. Vivienne clutched her canvas tote, trying to tamp down the creeping unease curling in her stomach.
Lewis finally spoke, voice steady. "I know this isn’t what you wanted."
Vivienne swallowed against the tightness in her throat. "No, it’s not. But the King didn’t leave us much choice."
Lewis nodded. "We’ll find them, Viv. Or at least figure out what happened." Then, a teasing glint flashed in his eyes. "Maybe we break a curse and save a kingdom while we’re at it."
Vivienne let out a breath, her chest loosening. She turned, searching his face for doubt, but found only determined resolve. For all his jokes, Lewis had always been there when it mattered.
"Thank you," she murmured, squeezing his forearm. "You didn’t plan for this either, but I’m glad you’ll be with me."
His gaze softened. "Where else would I be?"
The cart rumbled through the waking city, past familiar buildings and bustling shopkeepers. A wave of nostalgia washed over her, this was her home. This is where her parents built their lives and where she’d always felt safe. Leaving meant stepping into the unknown.
Vivienne forced a light tone. "How was the rest of your night at the festival? Glad to see Bianca left you in one piece."
Lewis huffed a laugh. "Hah, hah. We danced, had a few drinks, and I walked her home."
Vivienne smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.That’s a suspicious lack of detail.
"I told her we were leaving today," Lewis added. “She was more upset than I thought she’d be.”
Not rolling her eyes took every ounce of Vivienne’s discipline.Who cares what Bianca feels? Does she even have feelings?
"How was your night?" he asked.
Vivienne hesitated. She wanted to tell him about the sailors' song, how it tied to her mother’s journal, but not in front of an audience. Instead, she shrugged. "Went to a few storytelling circles. Nothing too exciting."
Lewis arched a brow, catching the evasion.
The scent of salt thickened as they neared the docks, mingling with the cries of seagulls overhead. The harbor bustled with life. Fishermen haggled over their morning catch, merchants prepared to set sail, and sailors shouted orders as crates of goods were loaded. Beyond the civilian vessels, the Royal Navy were moored, their sails furled beneath the watchful gaze of the Vantner lighthouse.
The driver tugged the reins. The cart rolled to a stop near the docks. "This is as far as we go."
Two muscular men jumped down, unloading their trunks.
Lewis stretched, then held out a hand. "Ready?"
Vivienne clasped it, steadying herself as she stepped onto the sturdy oak planks. "As I'll ever be."
