Chapter 40 - The Escape

Three days ago, I had no contact with Eldric. He simply isolated me in the room, not letting me go out for anything. Chant always questioned me about what had happened, but I remained silent. It wasn't the time to cause more trouble beyond all I had already caused.

During the night, the most difficult time, I felt alone again, and the dreams always reminded me of the waterfall, but it wasn't me jumping, it was my pups.

I started to find it strange; it wasn't normal to dream about them, especially in this way.

That night, the dream was even worse. Besides the waterfall, I saw Nathan and Sebastian chasing after them. I saw the desperation in both of them, and I woke up in tears.

I got out of bed in anguish, feeling that it could be a sign that some danger was near them. I decided to take a risk, wrapping myself in a blanket, and went to find Eldric.

I found him in the throne room with some advisors. They were all immersed in various papers and maps. He had probably gone to check if I had told the truth.

"Your Majesty?" I called him softly, and I saw his eyes focus on me. First, there was surprise, then irritation. "Do you have a minute?" The advisors started to tidy up the papers, but he made them stop and got up, coming towards me.

"Why are you dressed like that?" My nightgown was long and didn't reveal anything, but the blanket on top, bare feet, and loose hair gave the new queen an awkward appearance.

"It's important..." I tried not to show too much desperation.

"What could be urgent if you don't leave your room?" A tear threatened to fall, but I pretended to be strong.

"I'm dreaming about the twins, dreaming bad things..." My heart was racing, and I was sure he could hear it. "I need to go see them. I need you to authorize me to go get them."

"No," he turned away.

"Eldric, they are your children, and they are in danger!" I pleaded.

"I'll deal with it tomorrow, but you're not going anywhere." I stared at him for a minute before lowering my head and leaving his sight, rushing back to my room.

That night was long and distressing. The minutes dragged on while I remained in my room, worried about my children. The unsettling dreams continued to haunt me, and every moment felt like an eternity.

At daybreak, I decided I couldn't wait any longer. I needed to find my children, even if it meant defying Eldric's order. With renewed determination, I quickly got ready, dressing in more suitable clothes to leave the room. I knew I needed to act with caution, as being caught could make the situation worse.

I devised my plan throughout the day. I needed to find a passage through the garden that would lead to the forest before the guards noticed my movement.

I walked through the garden, not caring what my partner would think. If something had happened to my children because of his refusal last night, I would be capable of anything.

Chant noticed my movement, but she didn't question anything. She knew that when I closed myself off, it was useless to pressure me; I would speak when I thought it best.

"Do you want me to bring your dinner, Your Majesty?" she asked me, and I rolled my eyes at the formality of the word. I had forgotten the true weight of that title that now fell upon me.

"I won't have dinner tonight." She looked surprised. "Just bring some fruit and water. I don't feel well, and I don't want anyone bothering me until tomorrow." I spoke seriously, and she nodded.

"Should I inform the king?" She made a face, perhaps imagining how worried he would be when I wasn't well.

"I don't want you to tell the king anything. I don't want to see him; I don't want to be in the same room as him." Although it hurt to admit, Eldric hadn't been as understanding as I had imagined he would be.

"But maybe it will help them feel better again, ma'am." I looked at her and got up from the armchair.

"The king and I are fine, Chant, don't worry. Royal couples go through difficult times." I went to the door and opened it. "Please, bring what I asked for and then go rest."

"But, ma'am, I can't leave at this time of day. You know that..."

"It's not your choice, Chant. Please, just accept what I'm saying." She agreed and left.

Determined to find my children, I didn't hesitate. As soon as Chant left my room with the tray of fruit and water, I quickly made my way to the window. With a nervous look towards the empty corridor, I carefully opened the window and slipped outside, hiding in the shadows of the castle walls.

The cold night breeze touched my skin as I advanced along the outer walls of the castle, searching for a route to the forest that surrounded the kingdom. Luckily, my childhood in that realm had taught me its secrets, and I discovered a little-known passage that led directly to the woods.

Arriving at the point of escape, I took one last look back, making sure I wasn't being followed. Then, with a racing heart, I ran into the forest, venturing into the midst of tall, dense trees.

The tree branches intertwined above me, forming a canopy that filtered the pale moon rays. I was determined to reach the waterfall before dawn, to find my children and ensure they were safe.

As I moved in silence, my careful steps made no noise. The years of living with nature in that kingdom had given me the ability to move like a shadow. When I was far enough away, I transformed into a wolf, and my heart almost burst from the effort.

It had been a long time since I had returned to my lupine form. Feeling the earth under my paws, the heightened scents, and the forest's song in that way was surreal. My human condition would never provide me with as many senses and details as that form did.

I continued running, trying to avoid making unnecessary noises, but not even my expertise could prevent a branch from breaking under my paw, emitting a soft snap that seemed to reverberate throughout the forest. I froze in place, listening attentively for any sign of alert.

Fortunately, the night sounds resumed, and no castle guard or sentinel seemed to have been alerted by the noise. I breathed a sigh of relief and continued my journey.

As I delved deeper into the forest, my lupine form allowed me to sense the environment's smells more clearly. The scent of trees, damp earth, and surrounding wildlife were a symphony of sensations that connected me deeply with nature.

I ran through the forest, using my sharpened instincts to find the right path to the waterfall. Gradually, the first rays of sunlight began to brighten the sky, and the morning light filtered through the canopy of trees.

I had to speed up; soon, I would be in Nathan's territory, and I was sure he wasn't happy with my silence.