The Promised Queen

𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓇𝓉𝓎 𝒻𝒾𝓋𝑒

I ran.

My sandals slapped against the cold marble floors of the palace, the soft sound swallowed by the vast, empty corridor leading to the back entrance. 

Every step felt like a heartbeat, a desperate, frantic rhythm pushing me forward.

Don't stop. Don't think. Just run.

Avni.

Her name echoed in my mind, over and over, as if it could somehow keep her within reach. I didn't know where she was going, didn't know who that man was—but I knew, deep in my bones, that something was wrong.

I reached the back entrance, my breath coming in quick, shallow bursts. My chest heaved, my pulse racing so fast it felt like it would tear through my skin.

I couldn't shake the image of her small hand in his—the man from the hospital. The man who didn't belong here.

The heavy wooden door stood ajar, just enough for me to peek through.

And there they were.

The man—tall, lean, dressed in dark, nondescript clothing—stood beside a black sedan. Its engine purred softly, a mechanical growl that vibrated in the cool morning air.

He was opening the passenger door. Avni stood beside him, her small frame dwarfed by his presence. Her innocent face tilted up toward him, trusting. 

Too trusting.

I pressed my hand to the edge of the door, gripping it tightly to steady myself as panic surged through me.

No, no, no...

My eyes darted around the courtyard. There were no guards here, no servants bustling about. No one who could stop him.

The man glanced around, his sharp eyes scanning the area like a predator checking for threats.

I ducked behind the door, my back pressed flat against the cool stone wall. My breathing was ragged, each inhale shaky and loud in my ears. I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay calm, to stay quiet.

He didn't see me. He didn't see me.

I peeked out cautiously, my heart pounding so hard it made my vision blur.

The man was bent over, helping Avni into the car. She climbed in without hesitation, her tiny legs swinging into the seat. 

The door shut with a soft thud that echoed in my ears like a gunshot.

I clenched my jaw, frustration and fear bubbling up inside me. I had been so close. If I had been just a minute earlier...

The man straightened, glanced around one last time, and then walked around the car to the driver's side.

I shrank back again, pressing myself against the wall as tightly as I could. My fingers dug into the rough stone, my body tense with the effort to remain invisible.

The driver's door opened. Another soft thud as he got in.

I dared to look again, just in time to see the car's brake lights flare red, illuminating the dim courtyard.

He's leaving.

Panic surged through me, cold and sharp. My mind raced, every thought colliding with the next in a chaotic whirl.

I had to follow them.

I had to stop them.

The car began to move, rolling slowly toward the side gate that led out of the palace grounds.