Escape

I sit quietly, sipping at the tea that Malinda brought me. She's the kindest to me here; it makes me slightly regret doing this to her. I watch her yawn as she takes another sip from her cup. She doesn't know it, but when she hadn't been looking, I had slipped various sleeping herbs that I had found in the garden into her cup.

In a matter of minutes, she's asleep. Leaving my cup on the tray I walk to the wardrobe and pull out the black velvet cloak. I grimace at the Gleran insignia. I hate it, but I needed a dark cloak. It would help me better blend in with the night.

Pulling the cloak around my shoulders, I walk across the room to the tapestry hanging to the left of the fireplace. Both depict knights fighting battles and span from the floor to just below the ceiling. Behind this one though, is a passage that leads to the courtyard. The passage was a part of a series of passages, but whoever had found it before me had marked the way to the courtyard.

I know that the king wasn't aware of it, or else I probably would have been locked in a different room, but it worked out perfectly for me.

Tonight, the king was busy in a war meeting with his advisers and the queen was hosting the ladies of the court, and I had heard that she would be dragging her son along. All of them would be preoccupied, and therefore no one would be coming to check on me tonight. That's why Malinda was here. She had only just gotten here five minutes ago, and the guards outside my door are used to her staying for hours when she comes to check in on me at night, so they wouldn't be suspicious of anything for a while.

I pull back the tapestry and push the hidden door open just wide enough to slide through. I then reposition the tapestry before sliding the door shut again. If I fail to make it out, then hopefully they won't find the passage.

I'm not sure where the light in the passage comes from, but there's just enough light to make out the directional marks. I follow them to the exit in the courtyard, hidden by shrubs. From my hidden position in the shrubs, I watch the guards and wait for an opening to get to the stables. Once I have an opening I dash the short distance to the stables. Thankfully, the door is already cracked, so all I have to do is slide through it.

I slink along to the other entrance, closer to the gates. Peaking out, I almost curse at my luck. Two guards stand alert on both sides of the entrance. The gate is wide open, but I can't slip through it unnoticed.

I hear a noise behind me and duck into an open stall. A stable boy walks up to one of the stalls and leads a horse out. He then proceeds to saddle it. Just as he's finishing, someone calls for the stable boy. He quickly ties the horse's reigns to a post then heads out of the stables to answer the call.

Before I can rethink my decision, I walk up to the horse. The horse doesn't make any sound but watches me with curious eyes as I untie its reigns. It allows me to lead it to the far doors and mount it. I'm pushing open the door getting ready to urge the horse forward when my plan begins to further fall apart.

"Hey!" I hear someone yell from behind me.

I glance back to see that the stable boy has reentered the stable. I shove the door open, snap the reigns, heel the horse, and call out "Yah!" The horse leaps into a gallop.

Before any of the guards can react, I've blasted by them on the horse. I can hear the alarm beginning to go up, but I don't look back. I direct the horse towards the forest. if I can make it there, I have no doubt I can get away.

I glance up at the stars, thankful that my brother had insisted on teaching me navigation by the stars. I just had to go far enough east to cross the border before they catch up with me. I have no doubt that my father has soldiers roaming all along the border on the lookout in case I manage to escape.

I've just determined that I am heading somewhat east when my horse breaks through the forest line. I can't hear any pursuit, and I'm bolstered by this success.

"Yah!" I call out again, urging the horse to go faster, ducking below its head so I don't get hit by any low-hanging branches. I want to hug the horse out of happiness, but I don't want to do anything that would distract it from running.

The horse is leaping over a fallen tree when I see wisps of grey and black streaking along in the trees. I pass it off as my imagination, but when the baying and howling starts, I know it's not.

The horse increases its speed, now spooked and going all out. I pray the horse will outrun them. This can't be my fate, to be killed by wolves while trying to escape. I had to get home.

The horse bobs and weaves between trees and the wolves move closer. The horse enters a ravine of sorts and the wolves don't follow. I manage to slow the horse to a walk. I try to watch for the end of the ravine. If the wolves didn't want to enter it, I wasn't going to leave it. I would wait them out and risk getting caught. For all my thoughts of how I'd rather die than be a captive when actually put in the situation, I realized I would rather be a captive than dead.

The path in the ravine leads to an open area surrounded by its walls. I pull on the reigns, ordering the horse to stop. I listen for the wolves or any sound of pursuit. Outside of the horse's breathing and my pounding heart, the night is silent.

A grey streak suddenly leaps into the ravine, and a wolf lands in front of the horse. Two more follow it. The horse, startled, rears. I scramble to hold onto the reigns and saddle, but my hands aren't fast enough. With a yelp of surprise, I go tumbling from the saddle and land on my stomach, the wind knocked out of me.

I look up to see two wolves run at the horse, who rears and bucks for a second before taking off, the two wolves in pursuit. The third stalks around in front of me, growling and bearing its fangs.

I quickly cast my eyes around and I spot a stone by my hand. I grab it and push myself up to throw it. I launch it at the wolf with a yell, hoping to frighten it off.

My stone misses the wolf, soaring clear over its head, and my yell only seems to antagonize it. With a snarl, it steps towards me.

An arrow plants itself in the wolf's foreleg. It reels back, howling in pain. It snarls once more, then quickly limps off in the direction of the other wolves.

I sit staring after it, my heart beating wildly. A black horse stops beside me. I look up at its rider and my heart stops.

Prince Damion's dark eyes look down at me in disapproval. "Princess Abigail. What a fancy meeting you out here. Pray tell, just how did you get out?"

I clamp my mouth shut and glare at him.

He sighs and shakes his head. "Get up," he orders.

"No," I snap back at him.

His eyes widen in surprise, then narrow to slits as he slides from his horse. I go to stand and run, but before I can go anywhere, he catches my arm, yanking me back. I push away from him, spinning on him and clawing at his face.

He jerks back, and our combined momentum takes us both to the ground. He loses his grip on my arm in the fall, and I quickly push off of him to my feet. As I go to run He manages to catch my ankle and I go crashing to the ground with a cry of surprise.

Next thing I know, Prince Damion is dragging me to my feet. "Stop fighting. I'm stronger and faster than you are."

I go limp, dropping back to the ground, almost knocking Prince Damion off balance. I try to pull my arm from his grip. "I am not going back."

"Princess Abigail, don't think I won't restrain you," he warns, trying to pull me to my feet again.

"Let go of me!" I yell at him.

He sighs. "I'm not going to let you go running off in these woods. I'm not going to let you get yourself killed."

I glare at him. "Like you actually care about what happens to me?"

He raises an eyebrow. Then without a word, he stoops down. Before I can react, he's grabbed me around my waist. He easily stands, dangling me from my waist over his shoulder.

I stare down at the ground, hair swinging across my vision as Prince Damion walks. "Put me down!" I order him.

"Fine." He lets me slide off of his shoulder. We're standing face to face and I want to smack him, but before I can, he lifts me up again, this time to place me in his horse's saddle.

Indignant, I go to kick him. I've barely moved my leg before he grabs it.

Prince Damion looks up at me with a look of annoyance. "Princess Abigail, as fun as this fight has been, wolves are not the only thing that one has to worry about in these woods. Your horse is dead by now. If you really do want to test your luck alone in the woods, please, continue to test my patience."

As if to emphasize his words, a cold wind sweeps through the woods, carrying the howl of a wolf and the cry of a bobcat.

Prince Damion releases my leg. "Now, will you be civil?"

"Fine," I huff. "I will stop attacking you for now."

Prince Damion actually smirks before swinging into the saddle behind me. He leads the horse out of the ravine then through the woods to a path. As soon as we're on the path, he urges the horse to a gallop and in minutes we've reached the castle.

The king and queen are in the courtyard, yelling at guards, no doubt organizing groups of search parties to find me. Probably more worried about losing their leverage over my father than about me 'getting myself killed' as Prince Damion put it.

The queen is the first to notice Prince Damion ride in with me and she looks surprised, reaching out and getting her husband's attention. He also looks surprised until he sees how disheveled I look, then he looks amused.

Prince Damion pulls his horse to a stop before his parents. He slides from the saddle then offers me a hand. I disregard his outstretched hand and slide down by myself. He turns to his parents and gives them a quick bow. "I was out enjoying a hunt. I was surprised when I discovered that the nightingale had flown its coop, but I figured you would appreciate its safe return," he tells them.

I can feel the fire burning in my eyes as I glare at him. I hate how casually he speaks. I especially hate that he dared to refer to me as a bird, especially one that shared the last part of my name.

His mother steps up to him, smiling. "I suppose there is a benefit to you going hunting, instead of joining me in my hosting party, but look at you. You're a mess. Do you mean to tell me that a little bird caused that much trouble?" She purrs in amusement, giving me a quick glance and smirk. There is nothing she loves more than reminding me how powerless I am.

"Mother, any good hunter knows there is no pride in a catch that comes without a fight, regardless of how small the prey may be," Prince Damion replies.

I blink in surprise as the queen's face goes blank, then takes on a tinge of irritation. The king actually chuckles. "Well said my boy, well said." The king turns his eyes to me. "I must say this was well played, Princess. You found that which I failed to, and you were clever in your escape. To think you were that close to getting away. We won't be letting that happen again."

"Yes indeed," the queen agrees. "Next time we may not be fortunate enough to have Damion running about in the woods. Guards, escort the princess to her new chambers," the queen orders two of her personal guards.

I keep a straight face until I hear the door lock behind me. I don't know which falls furthest, my face, my heart, or my hopes. Not only had I failed to escape, but they had also found the passage. I would get no do-over. I don't know whether I should scream or cry.

- - - - -

I'm awoken the next day by Malinda shaking me. If she's angry at me, she doesn't let on. Then again, she doesn't say anything to me. Not that it matters, I don't want to talk to her either.

Once I'm washed and in a clean dress, Malinda leaves the room without a word. She comes back with food, which she sets down and leaves without a word. I look at the food, but my stomach twists with my disappointment, so I leave it untouched.

I instead lay on my bed and stare out the window. This room is even higher up than the other, and from my search of the walls, there are no secret passages. There was no leaving this time. I had had one shot and I had failed. If my hunger doesn't kill me first, my longing for home surely would.

I hear the door unlock and I glance over to see the queen enter. I look back to the window.

"Tsk, tsk," she sounds, "You need to eat."

"I'm not hungry," I tell her.

"My, my. Has the nightingale lost its song?" she mocks.

I choose not to respond.

"Come now. I can't have you fading out on me now," she walks around the bed so she's facing me, and she catches my chin, forcing my head up. "Not when we're so close to getting your father to sign the treaty." My eyes focus in on her face, and she smiles. "That's right. Your father is here, meeting with my husband over the treaty right now." She releases my chin and bops my nose with a finger. Then she turns and walks off.

I sit up and spin towards her, placing my feet on the floor. "You mean I'm going to get to go home soon?"

The queen stops, then starts laughing. She turns back to me, still laughing, one hand placed on her chest. "What gave you that idea? Don't be naive. You're never leaving."

I stand, angered by her words. "You just said that my father-"

"Is here for the treaty, yes, but you're not going anywhere. This is your home now."

"My father wouldn't-"

"It doesn't matter anymore. After your stunt last night, my husband and I are in agreement. You are much too valuable to us. Whether or not your father signs the treaty, you won't be going anywhere." The queen walks back to me. She brushes my hair behind my ear and places a hand on my cheek. "Don't look so alarmed. Your father's signature will only dictate how much freedom we will give you." She smiles at me, earnestly, for the first time. "I always feared we'd never find a good wife for my son, but last night, you proved my fear wrong. You're clever and a fighter. It's just an added bonus that you also happen to be a princess."

"You- you can't do that," I say.

The queen shakes her head. "That doesn't matter. It's already done." With that, she turns and leaves.

When my heart starts beating again, I run after her. The door locks just when I reach it. I grab the handle and shake it. "You can't do this!" I scream, pounding the door. "Let me out! I demand to see my father! Let me out!"

The window! I turn and run to the window. It's too small for me to fit through, not that it would do me any good. It doesn't open either. I contemplate smashing it open, but I realize that would be useless, as this room faces the back of the castle, so I doubt my father would hear my screams.

Having no other option, I stalk to the food tray and fling it across the room. As it clatters against a wall, I scream until I fall to the ground crying.

- - --

No one enters my room for the rest of the day, but if anyone had I would have done everything in my power to get out of this room. I felt utterly useless and powerless. I just wanted to go home.

The shadows in my room are beginning to stretch across the floor when I hear the door click open. I look up expecting to see Malinda or the queen, but it's neither of them. Prince Damion stands inside my room.

I lurch to my feet. "You. This is all your fault." I grab the item closest to me, a pillow, and throw it at him.

He catches it. "That's no way to greet your fiancé," he retorts.

"Get out of my room," I spit at him.

"Will you at least hear what I have to say?" he asks, dropping the pillow to the ground.

"Get. Out." I point at the door for emphasis.

He takes a step towards me, eyes flashing in anger. "You think this was my idea? You think I'm any happier than you are with this?"

Not having any other launchable objects nearby, I lift my foot, pull off my shoe, and launch it at him. "I don't care." I take off my other shoe and launch it at him as well. "Get out!" I scream.

He blocks both shoes with his arm. Then begins to stalk across the room towards me. I stand my ground. He stops a foot away from me. "You're as much to blame for this situation, if not more," he snaps.

"Says the man that orchestrated my kidnapping," I spit back.

"If you had just stayed put for one more night, this," he says, waving his hands about, "Wouldn't be happening."

"I wish that wolf had killed me last night." With that, I turn and stalk away from him.

"Really? You hate me so much, you'd rather be dead than have to marry me?"

I spin back towards him, fire in my eyes. "Yes."

"Perhaps I should have left you for the wolf," he spits back.

I take the last step towards my vanity, and one by one begin throwing everything on it at him. With his quick reaction time, he manages to block most of the objects that actually hit him.

"Children!" A new voice snaps.

We both look towards the door to see the queen standing in the doorway. She looks between us with disapproval. She walks towards us. As she passes Prince Damion and keeps walking towards me, she grabs his hand, dragging him along. Reaching me, she takes my hand.

"Whether the two of you like it or not, soon enough you will be married," she places our hands together, "So I suggest you learn to get along."

I rip my hand away. "I will never marry your son," I tell her, my voice hard.

The queen turns her cold eyes on me. "Say what you want Abigail, but you belong to Gleran now."

Her words plunge a dagger into my heart and twist it. I fall back on the vanity for support. She smiles triumphantly then turns and leaves.

The fragments of my heart crash down along with my dreams of home. The walls close in around me. I feel like I can't breathe.

I was never going home. This couldn't be happening. My grip on the vanity slips and I fall to the ground, choking back a sob.

"I'm sorry," I hear Damion say.

"Just leave. Please. Just go." I wrap my arms around myself, more tears coming.

Instead of leaving, he kneels in front of me. He offers me a hand. "Let me try to make it up to you."

I look up and meet his eyes. They're earnest. "There's nothing you can do," I say bitterly, looking away from him.

"If you let me, I can get you to see your father before he leaves," Damion replies.

I look back at him in surprise.

"We have to go now though, or it may not happen."

I reach out and take his hand. He stands, helping me to my feet. He leads me to the door stopping to pick up my shoes and hand them to me.

I reach out to take them and he suddenly pulls them back. "Promise not to throw them at me?"

"For now," I reply. As I say the words, I remember our conversation from last night in the forest.

He must remember it too because I see his lip twitch up as he hands my shoes to me. I quickly slide them onto my feet and Damion opens the doors. He offers me his arm and this time, I take it.

Damion leads me out of the room. The two guards on post follow immediately at our heels. Damion slows just enough to glare at them over his shoulder and they fall back a few paces.

I expect him to lead me to the main entry, but he leads me out a side entry. In the courtyard my father stands in front of the king and queen, speaking with them. His guards watch the Gleran guards wearily. None of them notice us.

I want to run to him, but Damion tightens his grip on my hand. "If you run right now, you won't make it to him," he whispers. He continues to lead me forward. His path takes us closer in an indirect way.

We're nearing the main staircase leading to the main entrance of the palace when Damion whispers, "When I say go, go."

A guard is passing us on his way to the barracks. I almost miss it, but Damion's foot slides into the guard's path as he steps by. The guard stumbles. It's only briefly, but it catches my father's attention. His eyes dart towards the movement and stop on me.

"Go," Damion whispers, releasing my arm.

I take off running. In seconds, I'm in my father's arms. I feel safe as he squeezes me against him.

"Abigail. Oh, Abigail. I was so worried about you," he whispers.

"I missed you and mom and James so much," I breathe, tightening my grip on him.

"We all miss you too," he replies.

Someone clears their throat. "King Gideon," the king grumbles, verging on a warning.

"I'm sorry," my father whispers, releasing me from his grip.

I hold on a second longer before releasing him as well. A hand claims my shoulder, pulling me back. I now find myself standing between the king and queen.

The queen turns, taking me with her. "Goodbye King Gideon," she calls over her shoulder. She leads me up the main stairs, towards the door. Damion stands leaning on the wall beside the doors. The doors are opened for her, and she walks in, dragging me along, Damion following. When I hear the doors shut, she drops her grip on me and spins on Damion. "How tactful, Damion. Do you think this kind of rebellion will have any impact on our decision?" She demands.

Damion's eyes widen, feigning surprise. "Rebellion? Mother, surely you don't think I would purposely do something like this?" He asks, innocently. I fight a smile, looking down, as I fail. "Had I known you were seeing King Gideon off, I would have avoided the courtyard. I'm hurt you could possibly think so little of me mother," he carries on indignantly.

The queen humphs, and spins around. "Guards, escort Princess Abigail to her room. Damion, I advise you to work on your apology for your father," she calls, walking off.

One of my two guards moves in front of me, taking the lead. As I begin to follow, Damion appears by my side.

"Mind if I walk with you?" He asks.

"Not at all," I reply. "Though, when we get back to my room, I am no longer obligated not to throw my shoes at you," I tease.

Damion chuckles. "Are you actually being nice to me now?"

I shrug. "I'm beginning to think you aren't actually as horrid a person as I originally thought."

Damion is silent for a couple of seconds. "I want to take that as a compliment, but I'm slightly offended by that."

I laugh. Damion looks at me then glances around. He leans towards me. "Would you like to see the maze in the garden?" He asks in a whisper.

"Why are you whispering?" I whisper back.

"I'm actually curious. I want to see just how far I can push the boundaries on this before my mother actually does something, like put us on lockdown," he whispers back.

I look at him. "Is that why you're always leaving the castle?" I ask.

He shrugs. "I've never really had any friends among the nobles' sons, so I preferred the solitude."

"Alright, but why are you whispering?" I ask him again.

He smiles at me with mischief dancing in his eyes. "At the next branch in the hall, we run left," he whispers, slightly nodding ahead to the branch in the hall.

Looking ahead to the branch in the hall, I nod. Perhaps there would be no escape home, but maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I thought it would.