[Midnight]
•Meadowlark South Road•
[Ovelia's POV]
The wagon creaked and swayed as it rolled along the south road, carrying us away from Meadowlark Village. I sat near the back, watching through the open flap as the lights of the festival shrank behind us—first becoming distinct dots, then a warm glow on the horizon, then nothing at all as the road curved and the village disappeared from view.
Ray held the reins up front, his posture relaxed but alert, the occasional cluck to the horses the only sound from the driver's seat. Ann perched beside him scanning the road ahead. Inside, Gale sat with his back against the opposite wall, his prism wings finally visible and his pointed ears no longer hidden. Across from him, Ace stared out at the passing trees, his silver eyes reflective in the moonlight.
The two stuffed toys sat beside me—the silver wolf and the fairy—along with the bouquet of flowers, their petals slightly wilting now but still beautiful.
