CHAPTER10
When I arrived at my door with Evren at my back, I could see the trepidation in Eletta’s eyes. She didn’t trust him, and I couldn’t blame her.
I didn’t trust him either.
She had stayed by my side for the rest of the night. Drawing my bath and pouring oils into the water to help me relax. She combed the tangles from my hair as I stared into the small mirror and thought of how Evren’s touch had felt against my skin.
When she asked me if I was all right, I lied to the girl so easily.
But the way she watched my every move told me she didn’t believe a single word.
Part of me wondered if she could see the way I longed for him when she looked at me. She watched me so carefully, and I knew that Eletta wasn’t dumb. She saw more than most, and it was only a matter of time until she realized how deeply my want for the wrong prince went.
As soon as she left my room, I slipped my trousers on under the silk nightgown she had helped me into. I had to search for my boots, but finally found them tucked under the bed as if Eletta never wished to see them again.
I slipped my feet inside and wiggled my toes against the worn leather that felt so familiar and comfortable. I didn’t change from my gown until the fire in my room was low and there wasn’t a hint of sound coming from the hall.
I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t lie here in this gilded palace betrothed to a prince who was bad for me while I secretly lusted for another who was worse.
I had made my decision while I sank under the water of the bath, and I had stayed there until my lungs burned with need. I was going to run.
I wasn’t sure how far I would make it, but I knew that I would never forgive myself if I didn’t try. Sitting here and accepting what they wanted from me made me as bad as my mother.
And I refused to be like her. My father died trying to protect me, and my mother so willingly handed me over to the people who murdered him. I refused to do the same.
I refused to waste his sacrifice with blind obedience.
I quickly changed into one of my shirts and tucked it into my trousers before pulling my dagger from beneath my pillow and sliding it into my boot. The feel of it against my leg brought me comfort, and I took a deep breath before opening the door slowly and peeking into the hall.
I didn’t see anyone. Not a single guard or servant. The halls were hollow and silent, and I gently closed the door behind me, careful to not disturb the palace’s slumber.
I didn’t bother grabbing any more of my things. Everything I took was just one more thing to slow me down, and I couldn’t afford it. I was already so fearful of what they would do if they caught me, but I had to try.
I moved down the long hall toward the library, and I searched for the doorway I knew hid along the stone wall beyond the lamplight. I had seen it days ago, and I knew that it would be my easiest exit.
The door opened effortlessly, and the cool night air kissed my skin in a welcomed embrace. I looked back into the hall one last time before I stepped out of the palace. I should have been looking for anyone that could possibly see me, but deep down I knew that I was only looking for him.
I was looking for him, and it hit me in my gut how badly I needed to leave.
I slid outside, barely opening the door so no one would notice, and my heart felt like it was ready to beat out of my chest as the door closed softly behind me. The back of the palace was dark, but I knew that there would still be royal guards protecting all sides of the castle. I just had to sneak past them and manage to hide long enough until I could figure out how to get through the stone wall.
Nothing was impenetrable. I would climb over it if I had to, but that wasn’t ideal. I needed to cause as little commotion as possible.
I moved down the wall and peeked around the corner. There were two guards standing there, and one was laughing at something the other had said. Neither one of them noticed me. Two royal guards and neither sensed my presence.
I quickly made my way through the small courtyard, watching my back at every turn, and once I made it to the thin cropping of trees, I let out a small breath.
I moved through the trees until I pressed my hand against the cool stone of the wall. It was imposing and suffocating, and I knew that if there were no openings in the stone, then I was going to have to use the trees to help me climb the thing that held me trapped inside.
I moved slowly, careful of every step as I trailed down the wall looking for any changes in the structure.
I heard the snap of a twig, and I crouched down against the wall as I scanned the trees. There wasn’t an ounce of movement, but it was far too dark out to truly be sure. I stayed like that for a long moment, praying that what I heard was nothing more than an animal or my fear.
My fingers trembled as I ran them over my dagger. I was just about to pull it from its sheath when I heard more movement to my right. A man I didn’t recognize charged for me, and I couldn’t even manage a scream before his sweaty hand clamped down against my mouth and forced my head against the rocky earth.
Pain shot through me, and my vision blurred as I tried to kick his body from mine. But he was far too heavy and too strong.
“Hold fucking still, you star witch,” he spat at me while reaching for his pants, and my entire body froze with fear. I had no idea who this man was or what he wanted, but I knew that he wanted to hurt me one way or another.