Chapter 4
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Draven standing next to me, and my stomach turned.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I yanked off my wedding veil.
“Audrianna, are you trying to stir up trouble?” Mom snapped.
I dashed out, not giving a damn, but Mom’s servants were already waiting and caught me right away.
‘Sorry, Draven. Audrianna’s just acting out. Please forgive her,” Mom said.
“No worries. She’s your daughter. However she behaves, it’s all fine by me,” Draven replied.
He looked composed, but a smile crept onto his lips.
I was pressed down to bow, completely unwilling. forced to go through the ceremony.
“Ceremony complete,” the officiant announced.
“Let me go! Let me go!” I yelled, struggling against their grip.
I fought with everything I had, but the servants just tied me up and dragged me straight into the bridal chamber.
“Get out,” I shouted.
Once the servants left, I finally had a chance to check out the rooM.
That old fox Draven really had everything set up.
I scanned the room. Aside from that window, there was literally no way out.
I pushed the window open, and there, perched on the wall, was Trevor, the guy I’d cursed out a Million times in my head.
“Trevor,” I started to call out, but before I could finish, the door creaked open.
I slammed the window shut, acting like nothing had happened.
“Why’d you pull off your veil yourself, Audrianna?
That’s not how it’s supposed to go,” Draven said.
He moved in close, and the smell of booze on him was so strong I had to pinch my nose.
“I don’t want to marry you at all,” I shot back.
Draven’s expression darkened. “Your Mom said the same thing back then.”
He grabbed my hand and pulled me over to sit on the bed beside him as he spoke.
“When your MOM was your age, she was the biggest troublemaker in all of Stormville,” he said. “You’ve got the exact same attitude and fire she had.”
I swatted his hand away before he could touch my cheek.
“I’m not my Mom, Stop comparing me to her,” I snapped.
Trevor was up in the tree, gripping his sword tight, watching for the right Moment to jump in.
“Even More like her,” Draven Muttered. “You look exactly like your MOM.”
The smell of booze on him was Making My head spin. I tried to back away, but he just kept coming closer. like he wouldn’t let me go.
“Don’t hide fromм Me, please, EMMalynn,” he begged.
He wasn’t seeing me. He was seeing My MOM.
“I’m warning you. Don’t come any closer! If you do, I swear I’ll hit you!” I said.
But he didn’t listen at all.
“Emmalynn, why won’t you love me? I’m better than him…” he pleaded.
Before he could even react, I grabbed the vase from the table and caught him completely off guard, Smashing it right onto his head.
He collapsed straight to the floor, the sight honestly pretty terrifying.
At the same time, there was a sudden commotion outside.
“Fire! Quick, put it out,” someone shouted.
Perfect timing. I snatched up some pastries and stuffing them into my pockets. I threw open the window and Made a break for it.
“Bad news! The bride’s gone. The Regent’s out cold,” Someone yelled.
By the time the fire was out and the servants finally realized something was off, Trevor and I had already slipped out of the Regent’s residence.
“Man, that was insane,” Trevor laughed.
Once I caught my breath, I pushed myself out of his
embrace.
“Aren’t you afraid your family will get caught up in this Mess? This is an royal marriage,” I blurted out.
He looked down, but a confident smirk tugged at his lips. “That’s why we’re marching right to the palace to tell the King the truth.”
It looked like this was the only shot we got.
“You set that fire, didn’t you?” I shot Trevor a suspicious glare.
“Hey, Maybe it just started on its own,” he smirked.
“Stop messing around. Nobody got hurt, right?” I asked.
“Nope, I made sure to light it somewhere nobody was around,” Trevor replied.
Unexpectedly, before we could even step foot in the palace, a sudden outbreak of war erupted in Stormville.
“No, my parents,” I cried out.
We rushed back, only to find our home completely consumed by fire.
The terror of losing my loved ones crashed over me. Trevor stood frozen for a Moment and then suddenly hoisted me onto the horse.
“Audrianna, you need to take shelter at the inn 10 Miles east of Stormville. I have to go back,” he said urgently.
I grabbed his sleeve, refusing to let go.
“Trevor, they’re my parents too! Why do you get to be the only one to go back?” I protested.
“There’s no time! Go,” he shouted.
The horse bolted, carrying me away at full speed. I clung to its neck for dear life, glancing back whenever I could.
That was when I spotted Draven running toward me, but Trevor cut him off halfway.
Draven and my parents were right behind.
I spun around, about to dash back, when a light fixture suddenly came crashing down toward me.
Right before everything went black, I vaguely felt a hand gently cradling my head.
When I finally came to, the sun was already high in the sky.
“You’re awake?” Draven’s voice cut through the
silence.
The first thing I saw was his poker face–so calm and unreadable that it made my head ache just looking at him.
‘Where’s Trevor?” I asked.
Draven didn’t respond. Instead, he quietly held the bowl of herbal tonic up to my lips.
“Here, take this. You’ve been shaken up. It’ll help you get your strength back, Draven said.