Desperate escape

The carriage doors rattled as a sudden jolt shook the cabin. Cornelius turned, calling out to Octavius, "Careful! What's going on?" He barely finished his question before another jolt came, the carriage picking up speed.

"We've been found out," Octavius warned, his voice tense.

"Don't speed up—it'll only draw more attention," Cornelius cautioned repeatedly, but Octavius, a mix of frustration and anxiety, clenched the reins.

A soft groan escaped Luciana's lips, catching Cornelius's attention just as young Nemesis tugged at her sleeve, rubbing his stomach. "Mama, I'm hungry," he complained.

Luciana exchanged a worried glance with Cornelius, who mustered his warmest tone to reassure the boy. "Young lord, we'll be arriving soon. There will be plenty to eat once we settle." But Nemesis wasn't swayed, his attention shifting with a slight unease.

Suddenly, the carriage lurched to a stop. The rhythmic pounding of hooves grew louder, surrounding them.

"Mama?" Nemesis whimpered, clinging to Luciana, eyes wide with fear.

"Nothing to fear, my sweet," she murmured, trying to steady her shaking hands as she stroked his hair. I have to hide my fear…for his sake. She drew a deep breath, pressing down her own panic.

Outside, a voice demanded, "We're looking for a woman and a child with white hair. Open the carriage for inspection!"

Cornelius's jaw tightened. "They're onto us."

Octavius exchanged a meaningful look with Luciana, signaling her to prepare. Opening the door, he greeted the soldiers, projecting calm. Cornelius, meanwhile, kept himself hidden under a disguise.

"Where are you headed?" one soldier barked.

"Embercrow territory, sir. The lord and lady wish to spend time with their son," Octavius replied smoothly, though he regretted his words as Luciana's cheeks flushed faintly.

The soldier gave Octavius a suspicious once-over before turning to consult his comrades, who were engrossed in another skirmish. Cornelius seized the chance, shouting, "Now!"

Octavius slammed the door shut and leapt onto the driver's seat, jerking the reins. Nightmare, their horse, whinnied and surged forward.

"Hold tight!" Octavius warned, steering toward a rocky diversion. Luciana cried out softly, clutching Nemesis tightly as the carriage jostled over the rough terrain, her body weakened as the effects of her last potion began to wear off.

Cornelius, peering out the window, froze as he noticed their pursuers dressed in olive green cloaks. "What are they doing here?" he muttered in disbelief.

"How would I know?" Octavius snapped, wrestling with the reins as he took a sharp, dangerous turn along the cliff's edge.

"Steady, Octavius! Luciana is pregnant, and we've a child aboard!"

Luciana held Nemesis close, trying to shield him from the harsh bumps, as Octavius urged Nightmare faster to shake off their persistent pursuers. But then came a sickening crack as the carriage hit a jagged rock, snapping a wheel.

Luciana let out a strangled cry, curling over Nemesis protectively. Cornelius quickly shielded them both, bracing against the carriage walls as it spun wildly. With a final crash, they were engulfed in a cloud of dust and splintered wood. The sound of approaching hooves and clashing swords grew louder as the dust settled.

Nemesis clung to Luciana, trembling, his hair and eyes reverting to their true color. Cornelius grimaced in pain, wood splintered through his shoulder, his face pale as he struggled to keep his grip on consciousness.

"Cornelius!" Luciana's voice broke as she looked from his face to the long pointy wooden shard embedded in his shoulder. Her hands trembled, darting back and forth as she tried to figure out how to help him.

"Princess…go," Cornelius ground out, his voice strained. "Take Nemesis. The ship at West Bay—it's waiting to take you to Amanécer." His breath grew shallow, his forehead slick with cold sweat. With the last of his strength, he forced the carriage door open for her.

"No—I won't leave you!" Luciana whispered desperately, clutching his arm.

"You can send help, even if we're confined. But for now…protect your child." He pointed weakly to Nemesis, whose face was frozen in terror.

Steeling herself, Luciana nodded, lifting Nemesis as she climbed out of the wreckage. Before them, a fierce battle raged between the imperial soldiers and the green-cloaked men. Half of them lay dead- both the soldiers and the men in cloaks.

"Over there!" A soldier cried out as Luciana caught their eye. She didn't look back and kept running desperately gasping, trying to catch her breath.

A second squadron of mounted pursuers joined the others, obediently following Draco's command.

"Don't harm the woman or the child. If she resists, I'll handle it myself," he instructed, his voice cold but controlled. His men nodded, eyes fixed ahead as they tightened formation around her.

One soldier brought his mount directly into her path, the beast letting out a low, angry grunt. The wind lifted her hood, and her face was exposed to the sun. Her white hair glowed, casting an ethereal light that silenced the men. For a moment, even hardened soldiers stared in awe at her beauty.

Luciana quickly surveyed her surroundings, realizing there was no escape; she was surrounded.

Draco dismounted, stepping closer with a smirk on his face. She clutched Nemesis beneath her cloak, struggling under his weight as her strength waned, her belly visibly rounding with the strain.

"Never did I expect to see a woman more beautiful than my own wife," Draco murmured, his eyes glinting with a dark intention that made Luciana's stomach twist.

"Why are you pursuing me?" Her voice was sharp, demanding an answer.

Draco merely shrugged, unaffected. "I'm only following orders…" He raised a hand to touch her face, but she jerked away, denying him the satisfaction.

"It wouldn't be so bad, taking you as mine. But that crowned prince wouldn't let me live if I laid a hand on you." He sighed, annoyed by Zavaikal's restrictions.

"You took my husband, and now you want my child and me. What have we done to deserve this?" Luciana's voice broke, raw with anger and grief.

Draco regarded her, unimpressed. "Go back with me. It'll be easier if you don't resist." He extended a hand, offering her a place on his mount.

Luciana's eyes flashed. "I would sooner be buried here than go with you."

He sighed, his patience thinning. "Do you want to be dragged in your condition? Or will you ride willingly? The choice is yours."

Her gaze drifted past him, locking onto something in the distance.

Something leaped behind him and slashed him that made him fall on his knees.

The soldiers reloaded their muskets and looked around to find the attacker.

"We have no choice." Octavius swiftly lifted Luciana and Nemesis onto Nightmare, before kicking the steed to a full gallop to escape.

Three men raised their muskets ready to fire at the when Draco's voice sharply cut through the chaos.

"Are you fools insane?" He sbapped, breaking their focus.

Two men helped him stand to his feet, noting with concern that his wounds refused to close- He realized grimly that the blade that cut him was laced with holy water.

He muttered curses jerking off their hands to free himself and grabbed one of them with the musket.

"Do you want to be executed by the imperial family?" He barked.

" No General!" He responded.

" Follow them!" He growled at them.

" Bring the woman and the child unharmed. Kill all those who are involved in her escape. Go!"

His men quickly mounted their steeds and set off in persuit, following the trail left by Octavius and Luciana.