The Princess of Darkness

Chapter 15: The Escape

Elizabeth's POV

Today is the day that four girls are going to be eliminated from this sick competition. After that, the real Choosing will begin. Only nine of us remain, but by the end of the night there will only be five.

I couldn't care less though, I'm getting out of this castle as soon as possible.

I have it all planned out. At five (just before dinner) I'll sneak out of my room to find Michael. Michael agreed yesterday to take two of the royal horses out of the kingdom and back to my home and my family.

I hate that Alex will not ever choose me as his  bride, but I am relieved that I will not have to be held captive here any longer. There are definitely at least five other girls here who must want this more than I do.

I hear a knock at the door and Isabelle, Jennifer, and Amelia burst into my room.

"Is it true?" Amelia squeals excitedly.

Isabelle giggles loudly, and Jennifer pretends to be uninterested while actually listening intently.

"Is what true?" I inquire.

"That you kissed the prince of course!" Isabelle shrieks.

I rub my temple because I am quite certain that she damaged my eardrum. "What? Who told you that?" I desperately try to change the subject.

"Everyone is talking about it, and we're just dying to know if it's true!" Jennifer blurts, and then stares at the ceiling as if she didn't say anything at all.

I decide to lie. Just so that I don't screw up anything else going on here. "No! Of course not! Um, Morgan just made up the entire thing. Alex and I don't even talk, and she walked into my interview with him and then she just left. Nothing even happened!"

Wow I suck at lying.

I can tell that Jennifer isn't buying it, but she stays quiet. Amelia and Isabelle totally eat my lie up and start empatheticaly threatening to get back at Morgan in absurd ways.

I chuckle at their chatter, and then tell them that I need to be alone for a little while.

"But we have to get you ready for the final elimination before the official Choosing!" Isabelle says.

I totally forgot about that! These three girls won't let me out of their sight!

"No, it's fine. Just tell me what to wear, and I'll take care of it all." They all look skeptical, and Amelia protests.

But eventually Jennifer straightens my hair while Isabelle combs through my closet and eventually chooses a shimmering silver dress that is extremely adorned and bedazzled with sequins.

Then I shoo all three of them out, and I am left in peace. I decide to put on the dress just in case I am seen by a guard. I don't particulary want to seem suspicious.

I don't put on the gaudy metallic pumps that Amelia chose for me. Instead, I put on a pair of boots that seem as if they can surely take on a trek back to my village.

I slip out of my room and into the hallway. I tiptoe towards the main hall where Michael is surely waiting for me.

I see a guard at the end of the corridor and I hide behind a golden table. When I am sure that the coast is clear, I hustle towards the main hall. I thank Isabelle silently for choosing a short dress that falls just above my knee instead of a floor-length gown.

I continue to run down the hall but then...

But then my vision goes black.

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Alex's POV

Sometimes I find myself thinking about things that I know that I should'nt be thinking of.

My mind often wanders, and I think about rebellions, and revealing my magic to everyone, but today-well today my mind has journeyed to an quite different subject.

I can't stop thinking about Elizabeth.

I can still taste her, and I can still feel her lips pressed against mine, but I know that she is not sharing my thoughts.

I can imagine her forgeting all about me and moving on without a care.

But I don't think I can let her do that.

Though I know that she wants to be eliminated tonight, I will not let her leave. Not yet.

My father doesn't want me to marry a girl from the Savage Lands, but that doesn't mean that I can't keep Elizabeth around as long as possible.

My decision is made.

Elizabeth stays.

I put on a dark navy jacket and straighten my tie. I take a deep breath through my nose and plan out my conversation with Elizabeth in my head.

Once I have my entire conversation totally planned, I open my bedroom door and begin to walk towards Elizabeth's room.

As I am nearing Elizabeth's room I hear a femine scream, and I look down the hallway.

I see a girl laying at the end of the hallway. Her caramel locks are strewn around her face, but I recognize her immediately.

"Elizabeth!" I shout.

But I recieve no reply.

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Hi guys! OMG it's been so long since i logged on, and it feels really nice to finally publish this next chapter. I'm so sorry that I abandoned you guys for 2 months but it was only because I was at camp, and when I got back I couldn't think of any good ideas for this chapter.

I'll definitely be more active so please vote and follow!