The Marriage Game

In Which Everything Is Different

Always let the enemy think they've won.

That was her father's motto. If Camila let the Declan think that he had won, he would let down his guard. 

Camila lowered her head. She let Declan guide her further into the castle. She didn't struggle or even look up, keeping her gaze fixed on the ancient stone floor. She focused on breathing and calming herself.

She would escape, but right now, Declan's grip on her wrists was unbreakable. Her parents were likely already dead. And a single soldier made little difference against a vampire horde.

"Through here." Declan shoved aside a painting—a dusky horse on a moonlit meadow—to reveal a hidden passageway in the palace wall. It smelled like dry dirt and cobwebs. Camila tested the ground with her toe. It felt solid enough. She stepped forwards.

"Not impressed?" Declan raised an eyebrow. "You know we almost stormed the castle using this tunnel last year. Would've taken out the whole aristocracy in one blow."

Camila considered responding and decided against it. Let him suffer in silence. Her family, her whole life was gone.

He pulled the door behind them shut. A lock clicked into place. Blackness smothered them, dense and heavy, the shadows almost solid. Declan's hands loosened on her wrists, then he released them altogether.

Camila stilled. This could be her chance. If she could get away, hide, she'd be able to-

"Ever been down here before?"

Camila took a slow step backwards, testing the ground for loose rocks, anything that could tip Declan off. She took another step.

"It's a maze. You need me to get out of here." His voice was farther away. Camila shivered, imagining wandering blindly through the darkness with no food, water, or direction.

"Besides," A hand closed around her elbow. "You're my mate. I'll track you wherever you go."

Camila heard a sharp click—a flashlight—and light flooded into the passageway. Declan's face was impassive.

"I won't run." Not yet.

His fingers ran down her forearm, slowly, almost reverently, circling her wrist. His touch left a burning sensation lingering on her skin.

"Would you stop touching me?" Camila pulled her arm away.

For an instant, she thought she saw pain flash across Declan's face, like he regretted everything he'd done to her. But if it was there, it vanished quickly.

There was a sharp bark. Camila turned. It couldn't be.

There, bouncing towards her with all the speed her short, stubby legs can muster, was her dog. Camila laughed and reached out her arms, letting Spoon slobber all over her delicate violet dress.

She was soft, fluffy, and way too happy to see Camila, jamming her snout into Camila's face whenever she stopped petting her and pushing her warm body insistently against her shins.

Then it hit her.

This was her family now.

She had Spoon. She had Declan, for whatever that was worth. And Camila had herself. Her own life. Her freedom.

Something must have shown on her face because Declan took a hesitant step forward. He reached out a hand, as if to comfort her.

"Don't." Camila buried her face in Spoon's soft fur. This couldn't actually be happening. "Just- Don't."

"Fine." Declan tossed a dusty grey bag towards her feet. Spoon growled at him. "We need to get moving."

Camila glanced inside the bag. Surely he wouldn't give her a weapon, but it never hurt to check. Instead, she found simple athletic clothes and a pair of sneakers, plus two water bottles, some protein bars, and a bag of beef jerky.

"What do you even want, Declan?" Camila removed her only remaining heel and slipped on the tennis shoes. Serena would be ashamed; tennis shoes with a ball gown was not her best look.

Camila winced, thinking of Serena. She was probably hurt. Scared. Maybe dead.

And she couldn't do anything about it.

Declan flashed her a dazzling smile. Her heart ached just looking at him—damn that mating bond.

"I want everything, Camila. Isn't that obvious?"

Without waiting for her response, he set off into the tunnels. Camila sighed, secured a firm grip on Spoon's collar, and followed.

So Declan saved Spoon! Yay! He just also left her parents to die... and all of her suitors... and most everyone she knows... less yay.

Is anyone else really enjoying the corgi pictures? Because I am. Corgis. Are. Cute.

As always, you're fantastic. If I were to imagine the perfect Wattpad reader, I'd picture your username.

-Harley