All Chapters of No Escape From Fate : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The evening fatigue settles on my shoulders like an unbearable weight. The people in the overcrowded minibus sway quietly, bouncing uncomfortably over the road’s potholes, sitting in gloomy silence as they count down the stops until it’s their turn to get off.The evening rush hour traffic jams always wear you down no less than the job you’re coming home from. It’s the daily routine of countless working pedestrians who don’t have their own car.Some lady in the bus had apparently poured an entire bottle of some horribly cloying, suffocating perfume on herself, with a smell that reminded me of rotten bedbugs. Two seats away, some man started coughing loudly without even thinking of covering his reeking, alcohol-laden mouth. And to top it all off, when it was finally my turn to squeeze my way to the exit, some clumsy cow stepped hard on my foot, scraping the faux leather on my brand-new boot!Things just keep getting better and better. Outside, a nasty, fine November drizzle was falling

Panic crashes over me like an avalanche. I start hysterically and frantically searching the grotto walls, hoping to find some lever, button, or who knows what—to somehow open a way through the rock and get back home.But all my efforts are in vain! There’s nothing in the stone that could help me in this full-blown meltdown.I pull myself together and try to assess the situation rationally—but it’s not really working. There’s only one sensible explanation: I must have fallen asleep, and this is all just a dream!But that theory is brutally smashed when a jagged rock jabs into my pinky toe, making me stumble painfully. Howling from the pain, I clutch my injured foot, swearing like a sailor. It hurts way too much—and feels way too real for a dream!But giving up is not an option! I have to fall asleep—and when I wake up, I’ll be back in my apartment, phone smashed into my face, just like it’s happened more than once before.Curling up in the far corner of the grotto, I settle down on the

With a hideous, drawn-out creak, the old door finally gave way, and I was dragged inside the shabby hut. For all my kicking and cursing, it felt like I’d suddenly unlocked a second wind — I’m sure the whole damn village could hear me by now.I won’t go down without a fight! I’ll injure the bastard if it’s the last thing I do!The brute carrying me suddenly stops and, without any warning, throws me down onto a floor covered in rough furs. He looms over me, arms crossed over his chest, muttering something under his breath. I freeze when another male voice joins in.Turning my head, I spot an old man standing in the far corner of the hut. He’s thin and dry as kindling, yet there’s something oddly dignified about him as he approaches. Between his lips, he’s chewing on a small twig with narrow leaves, rolling it lazily from side to side while studying me with complete indifference.After a slow inspection from head to toe, the old man rasps something to the giant, and suddenly massive hand

First of all — what kind of “situation with Miko” are we talking about?And second — what does he mean, “untouched”?!But I don’t dare to voice either question when I notice how the chief’s gaze changes. He no longer looks hostile — there’s curiosity in his eyes now, almost interest.“You’re right, Dil,” the leader says thoughtfully, a pleased smile spreading across his face. “She’ll be perfect!”“For what exactly will I be perfect?” I finally find my voice.“As a candidate to become our king’s bride,” the ruler announces, and my jaw nearly drops. “Each year, from every settlement across the kingdom’s lands, one maiden is chosen as a potential queen for our ruler. For many years now, our king, Karadeylis, has failed to find himself a wife. This time, the scouts of brides chose my daughter, Miko. But you’ll replace her. You’re young, beautiful, and pure — there should be no problem with the substitution.”“And what’s wrong with your daughter becoming queen?” I ask, completely failing t

Her words made my mouth fall open and my heart drop straight into my stomach.Oh, that’s VERY reassuring!“How?” I barely managed to choke out, my body and mind frozen with suffocating panic.“I don’t know everything,” Alaya admitted sadly. “Six years ago, the watchmen came for Sariya. She was chosen as one of the brides… and she never came back. I don’t know what happened to her, but I do know she never became a queen. No one ever did. The king is a sorcerer—he’s lived for centuries—and still, there has never been a queen,” the woman said gravely.I stared at her, eyes wide, horror creeping through me.Wait… a sorcerer?!So their ruler is some ancient, sick old wizard demanding virgins for wives?!Oh, that’s just wonderful. Now I understand why Manar is so desperate to protect her daughter.I need to run. Fast.“Listen,” Alaya looked at me with sorrow in her eyes. “You remind me so much of Sariya. I wouldn’t wish her fate on you, but escaping from here is truly impossible. Between th