A Heart Divided

Chapter 19

The Storm Within

The boat drifted silently through the dark waters, the only sound the gentle lapping of waves against the hull and the occasional creak of wood as the small vessel rocked in the sea's embrace. Eliza could feel the cool night air against her skin, her senses heightened by the silence, by the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

Alden sat beside her, his eyes scanning the horizon, every muscle in his body tense with vigilance. Despite their escape, there was no joy in his expression. The danger was far from over.

"We're not out of the woods yet," Alden muttered, his voice low but steady. "We need to keep moving. As far from the ship as possible."

Eliza nodded, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Her mind kept replaying the events of the past hours—the betrayal, the narrow escape, Kellen's sudden willingness to help them—and the growing realization that their flight had only just begun. They had escaped Prince Edward's clutches for now, but she could feel the pull of destiny closing in around them, tightening with every passing moment.

"What if they find us?" Eliza asked softly, her voice laced with fear. "What if they follow us?"

"They will," Alden said, his voice full of grim certainty. "But we'll be ready. Kellen gave us a chance to escape. We'll make the most of it."

Eliza leaned against the side of the boat, her gaze fixed on the endless stretch of water before them. The fog had lifted, but the moon was still hidden behind clouds, casting everything in shadow. It felt like they were adrift in a world that no longer made sense, a world where every choice they made would be one of survival.

And somewhere in the distance, she knew, Prince Edward was waiting.

But they had made it this far. And as long as they had each other, they would fight to the end.

Their love, their freedom—everything—depended on it.