Mera stood at her window, watching the horizon swallow the last traces of daylight. The sky deepened into night, the stars blinking awake one by one.
A cold breeze swept through the room, ruffling the hem of her cloak. She tightened it around her shoulders, heart pounding as if the wind carried her fear on its wings. The plan was in motion. There was no going back now.
She glanced at Dian , who leaned against the wall by the fireplace, arms crossed. The firelight flickered across his face, highlighting the tension etched into his jaw.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" he asked, his voice low.
Mera forced a nod, though her stomach twisted. "We don't have a choice." He gave her a grim smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "It'll be over soon. One way or another."
The words settled between them, heavy and unspoken. Failure wasn't an option—not when the stakes were this high. The castle was quiet as they moved through the shadowed halls, their steps careful and measured. The silence pressed against them like a shroud, amplifying every creak and whisper. Mera's pulse thundered in her ears, but she kept moving, kept breathing. The night was their ally, cloaking their escape in darkness.
Dian walked a step ahead, his movements fluid and purposeful. He glanced back over his shoulder, his expression unreadable in the dim light. "You trust me, right?"
Mera hesitated for only a heartbeat. "I have to."
His lips quivered in the ghost of a grin. "That's a start."
They slipped down a narrow staircase, the stone steps cool beneath their feet. At the bottom, Dian pressed his ear to the door leading to the courtyard.
Mera's heart raced as she waited, the seconds stretching into an eternity. Finally, Dian gave a curt nod. "Clear."
They pushed the door open, the cool night air rushing in like a promise of freedom. Mera's breath caught a flicker of hope sparking in her chest. They were almost there.
The courtyard stretched before them, a patchwork of moonlight and shadows. They moved quickly, sticking to the darkest corners, their footsteps muffled by the soft earth beneath them.
Mera's pulse pounded in her ears as they reached the outer gate. Just a few more steps, and they would be free.
But then, the sound of boots shattered the silence. A patrol. Mera's heart seized as two guards rounded the corner, their torches flickering in the night breeze. Dian grabbed her arm, yanking her into the shadows of a nearby alcove.
"Stay still," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. Mera pressed herself against the stone wall, her heart hammering against her ribs. The guards' footsteps grew louder, the glow of their torches creeping closer. She clenched her fists, willing herself to stay calm.
The guards passed by without a glance, their conversation drifting away on the night air. meralet out a shaky breath, her knees threatening to buckle beneath her.
Dian 's hand lingered on her arm for a moment longer than necessary, his touch grounding her.
"Close," he muttered.
"Too close," Mera whispered back.
They reached the outer gate, the weight of freedom heavy in the air.
Dian knelt beside the gate, working quickly to pick the lock. merakept watch, her gaze darting between the shadows. The minutes dragged by, each one more agonizing than the last.
"Almost there," Dian murmured, his voice tight with concentration.
But then, the sound of footsteps echoed behind them. Mera spun around, her heart lurching into her throat.
Lerius 's captain emerged from the shadows, his expression cold and triumphant. "Going somewhere, my queen?"
Mera's blood ran cold. She glanced at Dian , her mind spinning. Had he betrayed her? Has this been his plan all along?
Dian 's jaw tightened, anger flashing in his eyes. "You weren't supposed to find us," he growled.
The captain smirked. "You underestimate how closely the king watches his queen."
Mera's heart shattered. She stepped back, betrayal and fear warring within her. "How could you—"
"I didn't," Dian cut in, his voice fierce. "This isn't what it looks like."
Before she could process his words, the captain lunged. Dian shoved her behind him, drawing a knife from his belt. "Run, mera!" he shouted. "I'll hold them off!"
meradidn't wait. She turned and bolted toward the forest, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The ground blurred beneath her feet, the wind whipping through her hair. She didn't look back—couldn't look back. All that mattered was getting away.
The forest loomed before her, dark and dense. She plunged into the trees, branches tearing at her clothes and skin. The scent of pine filled her senses, grounding her as she ran deeper into the wilderness. Behind her, the shouts of the guards faded, swallowed by the night.
Her lungs burned, her legs screaming for rest, but she kept moving. She couldn't stop—not yet. Freedom was just beyond the next hill, just out of reach. She pushed herself harder, driven by the promise of safety.
Finally, she reached a clearing, the moonlight bathing her in silver. She collapsed to her knees, her breath rugged and uneven. For a moment, the world tilted, and she pressed a hand to her stomach, the weight of her unborn children grounding her.
She was free—for now. But she knew it wouldn't last. Lerius would come for her. The hunt had only just begun.