A Heart Divided

Chapter 9

Into the Lion's Den

The sky outside was a pale, washed-out gray, the dawn breaking with an eerie calmness that felt as if the world itself were holding its breath. Eliza sat by the small, crackling fire in the cottage's hearth, her hands wrapped around a mug of warm tea, though she barely noticed its warmth. Her thoughts were far away, her mind racing through the possibilities of what would come next.

Alden sat across from her, his expression set in determined lines, though she could see the exhaustion beneath his stoic facade. They had barely slept, and even now, the weight of their escape hung like a storm cloud over their heads. Eliza could feel it pressing in on her, suffocating her with every breath.

"We can't stay here much longer," Alden said, breaking the heavy silence between them. His voice was low, careful, as though every word carried the weight of their future. "Lila's right. The search is intensifying. The longer we stay hidden, the harder it will be to find allies, to get word to the people who might help us. And the longer we stay in one place, the more likely we are to be found."

Eliza nodded, her chest tight. "But where do we go? I can't just... vanish. I have a family, Alden. A duty."

Her voice cracked on the last word, the enormity of her predicament crashing over her again. She had lived a life of privilege, of expectation, and now—now she was a fugitive, hiding in a cottage in the woods, on the run from the very people she had been raised to serve. The idea of leaving it all behind—her family, her responsibilities, her kingdom—was a terrifying thought. And yet, the alternative was worse: a life bound to a man she did not love, a future dictated by duty and politics.

Alden seemed to sense her inner turmoil, and for a moment, there was a softness in his eyes as he reached out, placing his hand over hers. "I know it's hard. I know you feel torn. But I promise you, Eliza, I won't let them take you back to that life. We'll find another way. We'll fight."

Eliza met his gaze, her heart aching with both love and fear. "But what if it's not enough? What if we can't escape them? What if they find us?"

Alden's eyes darkened with resolve. "Then we fight back. Together. I won't let you face this alone."

The words filled her with a strange kind of strength, as though his unwavering belief in her—his willingness to face the storm for her—was something she could hold onto, something that could keep her steady when everything else seemed so uncertain.

Just then, the door creaked open softly, and Lila stepped inside. Her expression was one of quiet urgency. "We need to talk."

Eliza and Alden exchanged a glance before both stood, the weight of Lila's words sinking in immediately.

"What's happened?" Alden asked, his tone sharp.

Lila hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice low. "The king has sent emissaries to every neighboring kingdom. There's no doubt in my mind—they're going to extend the search beyond the borders of Aramore. Word is already spreading that you've run off with a commoner, and people will start asking questions."

Eliza's stomach churned. She had known it wouldn't be long before the search expanded, but hearing it aloud made the danger feel more real, more immediate.

"What do we do now?" Eliza asked, her voice small despite herself.

Lila looked to Alden, as if seeking his approval before continuing. "I know a man," she said slowly. "A smuggler. He operates along the southern coast. He's reliable—he gets people out when the borders are tight. It won't be easy, but if we go now, we may be able to cross into the neighboring kingdom before they close the gates."

Eliza's heart skipped a beat. The idea of fleeing so far, crossing into a foreign land, was both terrifying and thrilling. But it was their only option. And if there was any chance of escaping this life of political marriages and royal obligations, it was now.

She looked up at Alden, her hand instinctively reaching for his. "Can we trust him?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Alden met her gaze, his expression serious. "If Lila trusts him, then I trust him," he said, his grip tightening around her hand. "We don't have much choice."

Lila nodded, her lips pressed together in a thin line. "We leave in an hour. The sooner we get moving, the better."

The words were like a jolt of cold water to Eliza's system, snapping her into action. An hour. That was all the time they had before they would once again be on the run, heading into unknown territory.

She quickly moved to gather her few belongings, her fingers shaking slightly as she packed the small satchel Lila had given her. The idea of leaving everything behind, of walking away from the life she had known, felt surreal. She had been trained for one future, one destiny—and now it seemed that destiny was slipping away from her, like sand through her fingers.

Once she was packed, she turned to Alden, her heart in her throat. His expression was soft, but there was a glint in his eyes that spoke of the challenges ahead.

"We'll make it," he said, as though reading her mind. "We'll get through this, I promise."

And for the first time since their flight from the palace, Eliza believed him.