Cindra’s POV
The weathered facade of the orphanage came into view, and the familiar smell of stale well water filled the air. The well looked freshly rebuilt, though the bucket seemed to be missing. Helio stopped beside me. He scanned the surroundings and frowned.
“Where are we?” he asked, nose wrinkled in disgust.
I smiled as I took in the worn wooden building and the shiny new window on the second floor.
“They finally fixed it, hm?” I chuckled to myself.
“What?”
Ignoring Helio’s question, I pushed open the door, and the rusty hinges squealed. The air was warmer here than it ever was in the castle. Laughter from further inside drew me in. I took a deep breath, shrugged off my cloak, and hung it up.
I walked further in and Helio followed. The old wooden floors creaked with ever
