Chapter 10

Elara’s blood turned to ice.

The voice came from behind her, low, amused, that same rich Italian drawl that had haunted her since the gala.

She so much didn’t want to turn. She’ll like to pretend she didn’t even hear his voice but she knew how impossible that will be anyway.

She spun anyway, heart slamming against her ribs so hard it hurt. He stood ten feet away on the stone path, hands loose in the pockets of his black trousers, his newly white shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows. The cut on his temple was cleaned but exposed and she couldn’t help but wonder why there was no bandage put over it.

Sunlight cut across his face, sharpening the scar through his brow and the dark shadow of stubble along his jaw. He looked like he’d been waiting for her the entire time.

“You should’ve taken the stairs,” he said, softer this time, almost conversational. “Although I can’t assure you the result won’t yield the same.”

Her bare feet dug into the cool grass, the impact of his words clawing away the little hope she had felt in her heart. Every instinct screamed for her to run, but her legs wouldn’t move. Her dress clung to her thighs where sweat had gathered. It was an evident of fear and perhaps, from the struggle of getting down from the terrance.

Nevertheless, the truth that she was terrified was as obvious as day.

“There are rules that guide my household “. he continued, tilting his head. “You continue till break them without batting an eyelid..”

“I’m not part of your household ,” her voice broke at the end, proving to him how scared she really was.

Lorenzo’s mouth curved—just the barest hint of a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Not yet.”

He took one slow step forward and she flinched back…or tried to, but the hedge stopped her. His gaze dragged over her—bare feet, tangled hair, the black silk riding high on her thighs. Something dark flickered in his eyes, hiking her fears.

“I’m feeling generous, principessa” he said leisurely “You get five minutes head start. Run as far and as fast as you want. If you make it off my estate before sunrise tomorrow, I let you go. Back to your father.”

Elara’s breath caught. Hope flared sharp and painful in her chest.

“But “. He paused deliberately, watching how guarded her eyes looked “if you’re still on my grounds when the sun comes up…” He stepped closer, close enough that she could see clearly the tatto that peaked from his neck. “I’ll drag you back to the mansion myself. And in three days, we’ll stand in front of a priest and you become Signora Mozetti..”

Her stomach dropped and she looked from him towards the direction of the service gate she had spot earlier. If she could reach it, there was a huge possibility it leads outside or to somewhere that’ll lead her outside.

Lorenzo lifted his wrist, checking the glistening silver watch in his wrist. “Time starts now.”

Panic flooded her mind and before her head could even register what was happening, she bolted.

She didn’t dare look back at him. Her bare feet struck the cool grass in uneven rhythm, each step sending sharp, jarring shocks up her legs that traveled all the way to her spine.

Thin branches whipped against her arms, leaving stinging red lines that burned long after she passed them. She forced herself forward anyway, lungs already burning, each breath too small, too shallow.

Five minutes. She only needed five minutes to push an immeasurable distance between them.

If she made it off the estate before sunrise, she would be free. Back to Germany. Back to her father. Maybe she can convince. Convince him to choose a better suitor than Alex. He might allow her, after all, he’s her father.

But if the sun rose and she was still here…

She’d be stuck here. In a foreign country full of strangers. And married to a man and family that hates her family to the core.

The thought hit so hard it broke her stride. She stumbled and caught herself against a low stone bench, palms scraping harshly against the rough surface. Warm blood gathered instantly, slick against the cold stone, but she barely registered the pain.

No, she’ll never allow that to happen to her. She’ll rather be with the man her own father arranged. At least, he’ll have some dignity and responsibility to treat her right.

With that thought in mind, she channeled more energy into her sprint.

Time stretched and warped. Ten minutes. Fifteen. The sun dipped lower, bleeding the sky into deep orange and bruised purple. Long shadows reached across the grass like grasping fingers. Her legs burned deeper now, the ache sinking into muscle and bone. The dress clung heavily to her damp skin, restricting every stride until she couldn’t stand it.

With shaking hands she grabbed the hem and tore it higher. The silk ripped easily, jagged edges brushing her thighs as cool evening air met her overheated skin. It gave her just enough relief to keep going.

When she finally broke through the last hedge line, the sudden openness made her falter.

A wide lawn stretched ahead, grass damp and silver under the fading light. Beyond it rose the high stone wall, unforgiving and solid, iron spikes lining the top like sharpened teeth. Her focus locked on the service gate half-hidden beneath thick ropes of ivy.

So close that hope flared sharp and painful in her chest.

She ran harder, ignoring the protest in every muscle. The distance shrank. She could see the latch now, and her trembling fingers reached for it.

It was stiff at first, as if it hadn’t been used in a longtime but at long last, it yielded.

The gate opened with a low, dragging creak.

Elara stumbled through but stopped dead at the sight.

It was just as she feared and prayed not to be.

There was no road or anything that seemed leading outside. Only more stretch of land.

Dense woods stretched before her, trees tall and tightly packed, their thick canopies swallowing the last of the light and leaving everything beneath in deep shadow. A narrow dirt path wound into the darkness, disappearing so completely it might as well have led nowhere.

Her stomach dropped, cold and hollow.

It suddenly made sense to her. He wouldn’t give her a chance of escape if it was so easy.

For one brief second something inside her threatened to crack, but she forced it down. There was no time for that. And it was too late to go back.

At this point, the only way she’ll go back is if he dragged her.

With that thought, she plunged into the woods.