CHAPTER 1
Night pressed against the palace like a heavy shadow, swallowing every flicker of torchlight along the walls. Astra stood alone in her chamber, her heart beating against her ribs like a prisoner rattling the bars of a cage.
She had waited for this moment for months.
Guards stood outside her door, restless and alert. Every path to freedom was sealed—every path except the window. Astra pushed it open and let the cold wind rush into the room. She leaned out, searching for any movement below, though she knew the building towered high above the rest of the palace grounds. One slip, and she would shatter on the stones.
Her fingers trembled as she scanned the courtyard.
Then she saw her—
Riza.
Her closest friend in this gilded prison.
Astra whispered forcefully, "Riza!"
Riza turned, startled. When she spotted Astra at the window, her eyes widened in shock. Astra gestured urgently. Riza broke into a fast walk toward the chambers, but before she could enter, a guard stepped in front of her.
"What business do you have here?"
Astra's voice rang from inside before Riza could speak.
"I summoned her. She's bringing my dinner."
The guards shared a suspicious look—until they noticed the tray in Riza's hands. Slowly, they stepped aside, allowing her in. Another maid followed her inside.
The moment the door closed, Astra wrapped her arms around Riza in relief. She could feel Riza's heartbeat racing as fast as her own.
"Astra… what's wrong?" Riza whispered.
"There's no time," Astra said, her voice shaking. "I need your help."
Riza held her shoulders. "Tell me. I'll do whatever you need."
Astra swallowed, fear and guilt twisting inside her.
"I need you to take my place tonight. Dress as me. Let me wear your clothes and leave the palace before they realize I'm gone."
Riza didn't hesitate. She only nodded, her eyes soft with loyalty and sorrow. They exchanged clothes in silence—Astra trembling with desperation, Riza trembling with fear for her.
When Astra was dressed as a maid, she broke down and embraced her tightly.
"Thank you… thank you," she whispered again and again, tears dampening Riza's shoulder.
Riza brushed her cheek gently. "Go. Before anyone notices."
Astra covered her head with a scarf and slipped out with the second maid accompanying her—two shadows dissolving into the dark.
---
Outside the palace, Astra moved through the night until she reached her family's small home. She crept to the window of her younger sister's room and whispered softly:
"Freya."
Freya appeared almost at once, her sleepy eyes widening with fear.
"Sister?"
Astra placed a finger gently against her lips. "Take care of Mother for me."
Freya's face crumpled. Tears spilled instantly. "You're leaving? Astra, don't—"
"If I see Mother, she'll stop me. And Father… he will chain me to the palace if he must." Her voice broke. "I can't stay here, Freya."
Freya reached through the window and squeezed Astra's hand.
"Come back to us… please."
Astra kissed her hand, then turned away before the pain could consume her.
---
Astra reached the place where Lycaon had told her to meet him. The night was silent, save for the rustling of leaves. Her breath fogged the air as she waited—fear twisting into hope.
Then he emerged from the shadows.
"Astra," Lycaon breathed.
She ran straight into his arms. His warmth closed around her like the first safe thing she had felt in years. He buried his face in her hair.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I should have come sooner."
She shook her head against his chest. "You came. That's enough."
He took her hand—firm, protective, resolute.
"Come. We leave for the north. The jungles will hide us."
Together they ran, leaving the palace like fugitives chased by fate itself.
---
Back in the palace, Prince Herod—drunk on victory and wine—stumbled toward the bridal chambers. His mind was filled with fantasies of Astra: her beauty, her fire, her unwillingness to bow to him. The thought that she now belonged to him intoxicated him more than the wine ever could.
He entered the room and shut the curtains. Darkness swallowed everything except a faint silhouette seated on the bed.
"Astra…" he whispered, his voice thick with desire and triumph.
He approached her slowly, touching her shoulders. She stiffened beneath his hands. He didn't notice—or didn't care. His fingers brushed her cheek as he whispered, "Finally, you are mine."
He kissed her, his passion fueled by ignorance. The maid trembled, tears slipping silently down her face.
She endured it—not because she wanted to, but because she had chosen to protect Astra.
When Herod finally collapsed into sleep, the room was filled with the sound of her quiet sobbing.
---
Morning came.
Herod woke and reached for "Astra," murmuring her name—only to freeze when he saw the wrong face staring back at him.
His blood ran cold.
"No…" he whispered, blinking hard. Then louder, "No."
The maid flinched as he recoiled. Anger twisted his features into something monstrous. He grabbed her by the hair, yanking her off the bed.
"Where is she?!" he roared.
"I—I don't know, my prince! I swear it!" she cried, falling to her knees. "She only told me to wear her clothes and stay here. She didn't tell me where she went!"
Herod's fury exploded.
"Guards! Seize her! Imprison her!"
The maid begged through tears as soldiers dragged her away.
Herod's breathing was heavy, wild.
"Find Astra," he growled.
"Every knight. Every soldier. Search the kingdom if you must."
The palace erupted into chaos as the hunt began.
---