A Heart Divided

Chapter 6

Into the Unknown

Eliza reached the cottage, her breath ragged and painful, her injured ankle sending sharp pulses of pain with every step. She reached the door and knocked weakly, hoping that the small refuge would offer the sanctuary they desperately needed.

The door opened after a tense moment, revealing a figure in the shadows.

"Eliza? What's happened?" The voice was soft, familiar, and it was only then that Eliza realized she had reached the home of her late mother's oldest friend, a woman named Lila. She had promised her mother before her passing that should Eliza ever be in danger, Lila would be her first safe haven.

"I need your help," Eliza gasped, barely able to get the words out. "They're coming for us."

Lila nodded, not needing any further explanation. "Come inside, quickly."

Eliza stumbled inside, her legs giving way as the door shut behind her with a quiet thud.

"We'll keep you safe," Lila said softly, pulling her toward the small hearth where a fire still flickered faintly. "But you need to rest. You've been through a lot."

"I can't," Eliza whispered, her mind still racing. "Alden—he's not here. He's still out there. He's distracting them so I could escape."

Lila's eyes widened with understanding, and she moved quickly, pulling Eliza to the fire and kneeling beside her to inspect the injury.

"We'll fix this up first," Lila said calmly, her hands steady. "Then we'll plan."

But even as she tended to Eliza's ankle, the princess's thoughts were miles away. Alden was out there, somewhere, alone.