Chapter 222: Run, Willow, Run

Willow twisted her wrists again and the knot loosened.

She pulled hard until one hand slipped free.

She only took a moment to celebrate that victory before she hurriedly removed the rope from her other wrist.

She scrambled to her feet as soon as she was free and crossed the room quickly, stopping beside the door.

She pressed her ear against it and waited.

A few seconds passed and she heard nothing.

She slowly reached for the knob and turned it, peering into the corridor.

It was empty.

The lamps along the walls had been dimmed, leaving long shadows across the polished floor.

Willow knew the palace well enough to find her way through it in the dark but she had no idea where Miranda and Caelan had gone.

She needed to avoid them.

If they discovered she had escaped, Miranda would not hesitate to use another spell on her and Willow doubted she would be fortunate enough to wake up a second time.

She slipped out of the room then she carefully closed the door behind her.

She began walking.

At first, she moved slowly, keeping close to the wall and making sure her footsteps were as quiet as possible.

She had no shoes on, that was fortunate.

Her bare feet made almost no sound against the floor.

Every few steps, she glanced over her shoulder expecting someone to appear behind her but the corridor remained empty.

Willow swallowed.

She needed to think.

The main entrance was too far away and she would have to pass several guards to reach it.

She had no idea whether they would believe her if she told them their Alpha was dead.

After all, Caelan looked exactly like Alistair and he had been walking around the palace for days without anyone noticing.

Why would they believe her?

She could already imagine their confusion and all it would take was one of them going to Caelan for confirmation.

Then she would be caught.

No.

She needed another way out.

Perhaps through the servants’ quarters.

There was a narrow staircase near the kitchens that led to the rear courtyard.

She remembered using it once when she wanted to avoid a formal gathering.

If she could reach the courtyard, she might be able to get to the stables.

And from there...

She stopped walking, pressing herself against the wall when she heard voices coming from Alistair’s study.

The door was slightly ajar.

She could hear Miranda speaking.

"...cannot afford another mistake."

Caelan replied, but his words were too low for Willow to understand.

She swallowed.

They were inside.

She had to pass the study to reach the staircase.

There was no other way without turning back.

Willow looked toward the far end of the corridor.

It was not very far.

If she could move quietly enough, perhaps she could pass the door without being noticed.

She took a slow breath and walked. She kept her eyes fixed ahead.

Miranda’s voice grew clearer.

"The council has made its position known."

Willow slowed.

She knew she should keep moving but the mention of the Alpha Council caught her attention.

She needed to know what they were planning.

Even if she managed to escape, she would need something useful to tell Ares.

She crept closer.

Miranda spoke again.

"They are willing to meet, but they want assurances."

Caelan laughed softly.

"Assurances?"

"Yes."

Willow’s eyes widened.

She pressed herself against the wall beside the study, her heart pounding in her chest.

"And what exactly do they want?"

The floor beneath her foot creaked and Willow froze.

Inside the study, the voices continued.

She exhaled slowly.

She needed to leave... now.

She was almost past the study when a voice rang out behind her.

"My lady, can I help you?"

Willow spun around. She raised a finger to her lips and the maid frowned.

"My lady?"

Willow shook her head frantically, gesturing for the girl to remain silent but it was too late.

The voices inside the study had stopped.

Willow slowly turned her head toward the door.

The maid took a step closer.

"Is something wrong, my lady?" She asked. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Willow wanted to scream.

She wanted to grab the girl and shake her.

Willow heard movement inside the study.

She took a step backward as the study door opened and Caelan stepped into the corridor.

His gaze moved to Willow and his eyes widened slightly.

For one brief moment, neither of them moved.

Willow turned and ran.

"Stop her!" She hears Caelan thunder from behind her but she did not look back.

She could hear footsteps behind her and heart hammered against her ribs.

The corridor stretched ahead of her, the staircase still several turns away.

She had no idea whether she would make it but she knew one thing.

She would rather die trying to escape than allow Miranda and Caelan to keep her prisoner.

"Willow!" Caelan shouted. "Stop"

She ignored him, rounding the corner, nearly slipping on the polished floor.

A guard appeared at the far end of the corridor.

He looked up in surprise and Willow’s heart sank.

Behind her, Caelan shouted again.

"Stop her!"

The guard straightened and Willow stumbled to a halt.

For one terrible second, she was trapped between the guard and the man wearing her dead mate’s face.

Then she looked toward the narrow passage beside the staircase.

There was still a chance.

A small one but it was enough.

She gathered the last of her strength and ran toward it.

She was already halfway up the stairs when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist.

"No!" Willow screamed, struggling against the hold.

She twisted violently, kicking her legs and clawing at the arms restraining her.

"Let me go!" Her voice broke as she fought harder. "Don’t take me back! Please!"

"My lady, listen to me!"

The voice was unfamiliar, and it took Willow a moment to realize that it was not Caelan holding her.

"I am trying to help you," the man whispered urgently.

Willow froze.

"What?"

"Please, stop struggling. I will help you."