Aria had just arrived in the garden, the moon shining brightly in the sky—its glow cast silver across the manicured hedges and ornate flowerbeds, clearly enough for her to see someone standing under one of the huge and central trees.
She stopped in her tracks.
Even in the pale light, there was no mistaking the tall, broad figure cloaked in the heavy folds of royal cloth. That could only be King Jared.
Her breath caught in her throat.
The stillness of the garden wrapped around her shoulders like a shroud, the chill of the night seeping into her skin even as she pulled her coat tighter around her trembling frame. She didn't dare take a step forward. Didn't even breathe too loudly.
She was surprised. And if she was being honest, slightly excited.
But the thought of Zyren instantly killed whatever other emotions tried to crawl up her chest.
