Three days of travel left Melisa with a sore ass and a new appreciation for normal carriages.
The magical variety moved fast, sure, but comfort wasn't part of the package. Every bump in the road translated directly to her spine, and Zephyra's constant chatter had filled every moment that wasn't spent sleeping in the cramped quarters.
But now, finally, they'd arrived.
Foxhollow sprawled among ancient trees like it had grown there naturally. Wooden buildings with curved roofs nestled between massive trunks, connected by rope bridges and winding paths. Lanterns hung from branches, swaying gently in the breeze. The air smelled like pine and something floral that Melisa couldn't quite identify but liked.
Kitsune moved through the village with easy familiarity. A pair chatted near a well, their tails swishing. A group of children—all girls, of course—chased each other across a bridge, laughing. An older kitsune tended a garden, humming softly.
