A Dawn So Dark (Blood Bound #1)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Aurora Artorias

“T he Princess is feeling faint from the whirlwind of it all.”

“She merely swooned over His Grace.”

“The excitement was too much for Her Highness .”

Excuses poured from my ladies in waiting like fine wine in search of a glass so as to curb the rumors that would spread like wildfire from the interaction. I was swiftly brought to my room where I was told to stay the remainder of the evening, likely because everyone knew I would search for the Duke and strike him down with anything I could find. A glass of wine was placed in my hands so as to soothe my nerves. The maids tried to fawn over me, gushing about the Duke but I could not stand to hear his name leave another mouth. I snapped. “Get out!” the scream ripped from my lungs, throwing the glass at the wall, sending wine spraying across the room. The maids scurried out as quickly as they came as the first of my tears fell. I have to get out of here, I cannot marry that horrid man.

He would be the cause of my death one way or another. By execution for killing him or be so torturous that I would take my own life. I fumbled for the map I kept hidden under my mattress and threw it in my riding bag along with clothes and what little money I had. My sword had been taken from me along with my books, so I prayed I would not come to need it. I wasn't allowed to own boots, so I opted for my most durable slippers and prayed to the gods that they would last me. I grabbed my warmest cloak before making way to the servants exit. Their stairwell would take me to the outskirts of the castle, which I prayed to the gods would be abandoned so I could slip out unnoticed by the King or the Duke. I had to vanish without a trace. No letter, no goodbyes. This has to be it until it comes time for me to claim the throne .

My slippers were silent as I hurried through the halls, grasping my cloak around me tightly to hide my blood stained gown. I remained in my formal gown as I was tied in so tightly I would have needed three maids and a broadsword just to undo the bodice. With the luck of the gods, I made it to the outside courtyard without detection. Now the real challenge faced me.

I had to make it through the inner city to reach the forest. The forest was my only shot to get out of here undetected. There was a stable on the far side of the city where I could get a horse and make for the Kings Road with ease. The challenge would be the seven rings that made up the city, each ring had a wall with armed guards. Luckily, all of the guards had been released for the day since Tammes army resided in a camp outside of our borders.

All I had to do was make it to the yard just past the great hall. Which was currently crowded with the Duke, my father, and his Knights. Hopefully they were drunk enough that I could slip past undetected.

Before I could think of how stupid this endeavor was, I hurried through the servants hall, scurrying past drunken guards consorting with maids and those who were carrying trays of meats and wines. “Pardon me,” I muttered as I weaved my way through. Sweat beaded on my forehead, my skirts clinging to my skin as I held my breath, not wanting to be memorable in any way. My father would not be above torturing servants for information. A servant came barreling around the corner with a tray of plates, I gasped and stepped back, but I was too late. It felt as if time had slowed as the plates fell for the stone flooring. The dinnerware shattered into thousands of pieces as I leaned against the wall, the brick biting into the skin of my palms.

“What have you done?” A guard bellowed, slurring as they stumbled forward. I swallowed hard and took off running down the hall. I no longer had time to ease through my escape. I needed to get the seven hells out of here and fast. “Hey, get back here and clean this up!” the guard laughed, clearly having not seen who I was. I left his chuckles and jokes to echo behind me as I turned the corner and stepped into the walkway that led to the great hall. I would have to walk through the hall to make it to the courtyard where the head of the passage was. The walls felt like they were closing in on me. Narrowing with every breath I drew in. I just needed to make it through the first ring of the city. There were no guards in the secondary ring that would recognise me. From there I could easily slip through the remaining barriers of the city. The Seven Rings were there to worship the Seven Gods, though from the tower I saw it for what it was. Seven barriers of sacrifice in case war ever broke out. My father wanted as many bodies between him and his enemies as he could manage.

The further one went towards the borders, the poorer the population of the ring. Camelot's richest resided along the innermost ring, though they owed more taxes to the King to earn his protection from whatever monsters may remain beyond our walls. The Rings had not been this empty since they had been built after the war. This was my only chance to slip out undetected .