A Heart Divided

Chapter 44

The Prince's Betrayal

Eliza's heart stopped when she saw him. Prince Julian, the man she had once thought she might marry, the man who had turned his back on her when she needed him most, now rode at the head of the Duke's cavalry. His armor gleamed black in the stormy night, and the cruel, calculating look on his face told her everything she needed to know.

He had betrayed her.

"Form up!" Elias's voice rang out again, sharper this time. "We need to fall back. They have cavalry. We can't hold this position!"

But it was too late. The prince's forces had already reached the frontline, their horses charging through the muddied earth with terrifying speed. The rebels were not prepared for an assault from the rear, and many were already pinned down, surrounded by Julian's men.

Alden's grip tightened around Eliza's arm, his expression one of pure fury. "We can't let them take us like this."

Eliza nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the weight of every decision she had made in this moment—the rebellion, the betrayal, the fight that had led her here. This was the final test.

"Go! Get the others to safety!" Elias shouted, his voice steady despite the chaos. "I'll hold them off. You can't lose her, Alden. Not now."

Alden hesitated, but only for a moment. His loyalty to Elias was unwavering, but his concern for Eliza was even greater.

"Stay close!" he warned Eliza, pulling her toward the rocks that jutted out from the pass. "We need to move before Julian realizes who you are."

But Eliza didn't move. She stood there, her eyes locked on the prince. The time for running was over. She had come this far—she wasn't going to back down now.

"I'm not running anymore," she said firmly. "I'll face him."

Alden's face twisted in frustration, but there was no arguing with her. He knew she wasn't going to change her mind.

"Then I'm with you," he said quietly. "We'll face him together."