Chapter 6:- The Escape Attempt

As the guards pulled her through the corridors Leo's breath came in short shallow gasps.Every step felt like a step closer to freedom and the bond's weight against her chest served as a continual reminder of the ritual that had decided her fate.

The castle's atmosphere was oppressive as though the walls were closing in on her. She couldn't carry it out. She was not allowed to wed Charles. She wouldn't.

However each stride she took in the direction of the packhouse felt like she was entering a prison from which she would never be able to escape. She had a racing mind.

There must have been a solution. Although she was bound to Charles by a strong bond she had some control over the situation. She didn't think it couldn't be broken.

Her mental turmoil was abruptly broken by a quiet voice,whispering," Lady Leo..." Ana emerged from a side hallway, her face strained with anxiety." I am able to assist you."

A beat skipped through Leo's heart. The face of her personal maid was visible to her now,Leo felt a wave of relief hit her. Although Leo had previously trusted her, her offer now carried greater weight than before.

Leo said, her voice hardly more than a breath "Ana-what do you mean?"

Charles's looming presence in her mind made it impossible to concentrate and the guards were too close.

"Come with me. There is a way out," Ana said urgently." You must go right now."

Leo turned to look at the two guards standing on either side of her. Her interaction with the maid went unnoticed because they were too preoccupied with following orders.

They wouldn't be sidetracked for long though. Leo nodded mindlessly. She had no choice. Perhaps this is her only opportunity. Leo felt his heart pound as the maid escorted her down a slender hallway. Her pace had to be fast.

Eventually the guards would notice.

Her mind was racing and her heart pounded in her ears. What was the best way for her to get away? Ana came to a halt in front of a steep narrow staircase.

As they climbed, the temperature dropped and Leo's intuition told him they were going to the rooftop so she could disappear into the night. She hoped she would escape before Charles saw her.

Ana turned to face her as they reached the top of the stairs. "A door is located at the end of the corridor. It takes you to the roof where you can make your getaway."

She felt a wave of hope fill her chest as Leo nodded. She had the strength to do this. She was forced to do so. She might find her way into the forest and vanish. There was no one else she needed.

All she wanted was freedom. She said to Ana in a whisper," Thank you."

But as Leo was about to approach the door, the corridor reverberated with the sound of heavy footsteps.

Her heart dropped. No. Not right now. Ana's face went white." He's on his way, she whispered. Now you have to leave. "

The door at the end of the hall caught Leo's attention as she turned. The pounding footsteps were approaching too closely. It was too late for her to get there.

Ana hissed ,"Go! "and pushed Leo to the door. "Hurry up!"

After another moment of hesitation, Leo ran to the door. Just as she heard Charles's voice her fingers touched the handle.

" Leo! "he called in a stern icy voice." Hiding won't last forever."

The night air hit her like a blast of cold wind as Leo swung the door open and hurried outside. She made it. She was liberated. A hard cold object slammed into her from behind before she could move another step.

She stumbled forward but managed to stay upright. Charles's face was twisted with rage and hatred as she spun around and faced him.

" No" she muttered as she stepped back, her heart pounding. "I refuse to go with you"

Charles grinned but it was a cold smile. With his eyes flashing with anger he said in a low growl ,"You thought you could escape? Leo you are mine. You'll be mine forever."

With a thumping heart, Leo shook her head. Their relationship pulled at her demanding obedience and submission. However she resisted it. She refused to submit to this kind of control from him.

She said in a trembling but determined voice "Charles, I will not marry you. You will never have me."

With his eyes narrowed Charles stepped toward her. "Oh dear,Leo.We are already man and wife.You are no longer free to choose. This has become far too challenging because of you. With you Leo I tried to be patient. However, I'm done being patient. "

Leo's rear was pressed up against the castle's stone wall. Now she had nowhere to flee to. She was caught. Charles closed the gap between them and the tension in the air crackled between them.

" Do you think I won't use force if I have to?"He asked

As panic swept through her, Leo's breath caught in her throat. Now she can't give up. She wouldn't. She needed to figure out a way to defend herself. However before she could respond the sound of heavy steady footsteps resounded from below.

She sensed the trap tightening around her as the guards approached. As she searched for any semblance of humanity in Charles' eyes her heart raced. But nothing was present. Just aloof computation.

Charles repeated his voice a low growl," You think you can escape?. Leo you are mine. It is best for you if you accept that as soon as possible. "

Leo's eyes pricked with tears but she blinked them away refusing to let him enjoy her breaking. "No. I will never allow it."

Charles's face became stern. He abruptly extended his hand and took her arm in a grip that was too painful and too tight. His fingers dug into her flesh as he yanked her in his direction.

Then Leo screamed fighting against his grip," Let go of me!"

"Enough!" Charles snarled." I'm taking you with me. I refuse to have you make me feel this way."

Leo's mind was racing. The pain in her arm and the magic of their bond were clouding her thoughts but she knew there had to be a way out. Charles pushed her in the direction of the door she had just entered by twisting her arm behind her back.

" Leo, you're mine. There's no getting around that."

At the top of the stairs a figure stood as they arrived at the door. Ana! Her eyes were wide with terror as she watched Leo being pulled back inside and she was panting heavily.

With a broken voice ,Ana pleaded," Please my lady. You have to return with him. You must go"

Ana's words broke Leo's heart but there was nothing she could do. Not right now. At least not when Charles was in charge. Leo was flung toward the guards who had appeared in the doorway when Charles yelled.

" Enough of this. Take her to my room. Right now."

As she was violently pushed in the direction of the guards, Leo's chest constricted and her vision became blurry with annoyance. They were too strong for her. She was powerless against Charles. She was unsuccessful.

The only option available to her was to follow them. Leo's heart felt as they started dragging her down the stairs. Just in front was the packhouse. There would be no way out once she was inside. She would only become closer to Charles and the prospect of escaping would become more and more elusive.

But Leo sensed something flare up inside her as they got closer to the doors. Although the bond was strong it wasn't unbreakable. She was certain of one thing: she wasn't prepared to give up. No not yet.

Leo's resolve grew stronger with each step. She was determined to avoid making the same mistakes she had. There must have been a solution. All she needed to do was locate it. Leo refused to gaze at the imposing doors that stood in front of him.

Rather she concentrated on her freedom which had always been important to her. And she continued to fight for it. Not until she got it.

She will continue to fight him.