Time ran by and dragged the dreaded hour along with it. On a balcony facing the front gate she stood, grasping at the railing so tightly in one hand, the thing would have, null doubt, crumbled under her touch had she been blessed with superhuman strength.
Her second hand clutched at her pendant for some much-needed consolation.
The young woman stared many yards ahead into the distance where all the lines on the ground joined. It was when the sun kissed the horizon that a darkened spot that hadn't been there before faded into view.
It was nothing but a dot at first but grew bigger and bolder until the cloppering of hooves came with the distinguishable details of a horse drawn carriage.
And there he was… It took him longer than it should have to arrive, but he was there, drawing nearer by the second.
Arabella's stomach clenched upon itself as every ounce of confidence and strength she'd gathered simply withered away.
