The king's Runaway Bride
ly against the stone floor. Escape wasn't just a desire anymore-it was a necessity. Damon's words, his intense gaze, th
toward the outer wall. It wouldn't be an easy escape, but it was possible. If she could make it over the wall, she might have a chance to reach t
e'd wandered the hills surrounding her father's manor before all of this. She tucked a sma
r. Her heart skipped, and she froze, clutching her clo
ce called from the oth
relief at the sight of her friend. Lydia's eyes went wide as
Lydia whispered, glancing over her shoul
eration. "He's... he's not like anyone I've ever known. He's... contr
"You know he'll come after you. The ki
I don't know where I'll go, but it has to be better than this." She hesitated
you'll need more than just luck." She pulled a small pendant from around her neck and pressed it into
nt, fighting back tears. "Thank you," she whispered, s
quickly. The guards change shifts in jus
the castle's winding corridors. She held her breath at every corner, flinching at every echo. The shadows
the cool night air hitting her like a blessing. The path lay
h step. The wall loomed closer, and she could already see a tree near
e base of the tree, a voic
g away,
le, his gaze sharp and predatory. He had been waiting for her, somehow anticipating her ever
ing a step back, though she knew i
leaving me, Caroline. After everything I made per
I never asked for this. I didn't want any of this." Her voice tremb
. "You think you have a choice, don't you?" His voice was soft, almost gentle, but there was an edge to it
. She felt trapped, cornered by his presence, by the weight of his expectations.
plied, her voice low, "but I
that so?" He reached out, his fingers brushing her cheek, a touch that was both t
racing the line of her jaw. His touch was intoxicating, a dark allure that seemed to s
ed, her voice barely audib
t her skin. "I don't need your surrender," he murmured, his voice
nd for a moment, her defiance wavered. But she refused to let h
h, her gaze steady. "Then let me leave no
rded her. For a moment, silence hung between them, thick w
lips. "But cleverness won't save you, Caroline. I could have guards
she forced herself to meet his gaze, her chin lifted in def
tched her, his smirk fading into a look of cold resolve. "T
asp her wrist in a firm, unyielding grip. His touch was like fire again
ing against his hold, but he held
said, his voice soft but unyie
m for argument. Caroline's heart raced, her mind screaming for escape, but she knew there was
her own. She was trapped, bound to a man who would stop