A Promising Fate

That night, I met Claire and Elianus in the shadows of the estate.

"We have to do it tonight," I whispered.

Elianus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, no turning back now."

We moved quickly, slipping past the guards as we made our way to the prison. The air smelled of damp stone, and every step echoed louder than I would have liked.

Elianus handed me the key, his expression serious. "Be fast."

I barely nodded before shoving the key into the lock. The door groaned open.

Inside, Noachus was already standing.

His wrists were raw from where the shackles had been removed earlier. His shirt was torn, his face shadowed with exhaustion. But the moment his eyes landed on me, something in them softened.

"You actually came," he said, almost disbelieving.

I took his hand. "Let's go."

The corridors of the prison were damp, the air thick with the scent of mildew and something metallic—blood, maybe. Every step we took echoed, too loud, too obvious, but we couldn't stop.

Noachus's grip on my hand was firm, steady despite everything. His breath was warm against my ear as he whispered, "How did you manage this?"

"Long story, no time," I muttered. "Basically, we're speed-running a jailbreak."

He blinked, clearly lost. "Speed… running?"

Elianus shot me a sharp look from ahead. "Lady María, pray, speak sense."

"Okay, fine. Just—less talking, more running, yeah?"

Claire sighed but kept moving, her skirts barely making a sound as she navigated the halls with practiced ease. "We must hurry. The guards make their rounds soon."

Noachus glanced at me, his brows still drawn. "You should not have risked this."

"Oh, my bad. Should I have left you to rot?" I huffed, gripping his hand tighter. "Not happening. Not on my watch."

His expression softened—just a little. "And yet, if they catch us, it shall be your head on the block alongside mine."

"Yeah, well, I'm kinda not vibing with execution, so let's not get caught."

Claire turned to Elianus. "Is she feverish?"

Elianus, focused on the path ahead, merely muttered, "She is the new Lady María Georgiana. That is answer enough."

We reached the outer gate. Elianus pulled a dagger from his belt, carefully working at the old rusted lock. My heart slammed against my ribs.

"Hurry, dude."

He groaned. "Dude?"

"Just—open the thing."

With one last sharp twist, the lock snapped. The gate creaked open, revealing the darkened path beyond. Freedom.

Noachus turned to me, eyes burning. "You saved my life."

I swallowed. "Yeah, well. You kinda owe me now."

A slow, amused smile tugged at his lips. "And how, pray, shall I repay such a debt?"

I smirked. "I'll let you know once we're not actively dying."

Then we ran.

Through the gardens, through the winding paths leading to the docks, with nothing but the stars to light our way.

And when the boat pushed off from the shore, when the wind caught in my hair and the city disappeared behind us, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

I had followed the diary.

And for the first time in days, I wasn't afraid.

The salty wind tangled in my hair as I leaned over the edge of the boat, watching the ripples we left behind. The city was long gone now, swallowed by the darkness, and ahead of us, the island loomed in the moonlight—small, secluded, and probably the only safe place left in the world.

Noachus rowed with steady, practiced strokes, his muscles shifting beneath his tunic. He looked as calm as ever, but I could feel the tension in him, the weight of what we'd just done.

We had escaped.

I glanced at him, my heart still hammering. "So, uh… do you think they're already searching for us?"

He exhaled sharply. "Undoubtedly."

"Cool, cool. Love that for us." I blew out a breath and turned my gaze back to the island. "Well, at least we won't get arrested tonight."

Noachus shot me a look, brow furrowed. "Arrested? My lady, we have committed an act of treason. If we are discovered, it will not be so simple as an arrest."

Right. Because this wasn't a slap-on-the-wrist kind of crime.

I grimaced. "You're not exactly selling the 'happily ever after' part of this plan."

His lips twitched. "Was there ever such a thing?"

I swallowed hard. If history had its way, there wasn't.

But I wasn't about to let history win.

The boat bumped gently against the shore, and Noachus hopped out first, offering me his hand.

I took it, half-expecting him to pull me into the water just for fun. But of course, Noachus was too noble for that. Instead, he guided me carefully onto the sand, like I was some delicate thing in need of protecting.

I sighed. "You know, I can walk without assistance."

He smirked. "I am well aware. I have simply observed your frequent inclination toward unfortunate mishaps."

"Are you calling me clumsy?"

"I am merely stating an observable truth."

I gasped, shoving his shoulder. "Wow. Rude."

He barely stumbled. "Honest."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't fight the grin spreading across my face.

For the first time in days, I felt… light.

Free.

—

The cottage was small, tucked away between towering palm trees and thick vines. It looked old—like it had been here long before we arrived—but it was sturdy, the wooden walls strong and the thatched roof well-kept. Someone had lived here once. Maybe someone still did.

I turned to Noachus. "Sooo… did you build this place, or…?"

He shook his head. "Nay. The island folk maintain it for travelers and fishermen caught in the tides."

I perked up. "Island folk?"

"You believed us to be the sole inhabitants?"

"Well… yeah."

Noachus sighed, rubbing his temple. "You truly think little of my planning abilities."

"Hey, I just assumed we were running off to be pirates or something. Not moving into an Airbnb."

His expression twisted in confusion. "A what?"

I waved him off. "Never mind. So, where are these people?"

"Likely abed at this hour," he said. "Come dawn, we shall make their acquaintance."

I hummed. "Cool, cool. Hopefully they don't try to, like, sacrifice us to their island gods."

Noachus gave me a very serious look. "They are not savages, María Georgiana."

I held up my hands. "I know! I was kidding."

His brow furrowed like he still didn't entirely trust me not to be an idiot.

I grinned. "Relax, Sir Serious. Let's go inside before we get eaten by jungle monsters.

The inside of the cottage was surprisingly cozy. There was a small hearth in the corner, a wooden table, and a bed covered in thick blankets that actually looked kind of comfortable.

Which was great, because after the night we'd had, I was about ready to pass out.

I flopped onto the bed without hesitation, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Ohhh, this is nice. Yep. I'm staying here forever."

Noachus chuckled, lighting a lantern. "You say so now. We shall see how you fare without the luxuries of court."

"Pfft. Who needs court? Court sucks." I rolled onto my side, propping my head up on my arm. "I mean, let's be real—why would I want to sit around listening to old dudes in tights argue about wheat taxes when I can be here?"

He arched a brow. "And what, pray tell, shall you do here?"

I smirked. "Oh, you know. Lay on the beach. Swim in the ocean. Befriend some locals. Start a coconut empire. Really, the possibilities are endless."

Noachus sat at the edge of the bed, his expression amused. "A coconut empire?"

"Yep. First of its kind. I'll be the Queen of Coconuts."

A chuckle escaped him, quiet and warm. "You are utterly ridiculous."

I beamed. "And yet, you like me anyway."

He hummed, tilting his head. "It does appear that I do."

My breath caught.

There was something in his gaze—something soft and steady and dangerous.

I swallowed. "Noachus…"

He reached for my hand, brushing his fingers over my knuckles.

"I meant what I said before," he murmured. "If I had to wait a lifetime for you, I would."

My throat went dry.

I wasn't sure who moved first. Maybe it was him. Maybe it was me.

But suddenly, he was closer, his breath warm against my skin, his eyes dark with something I wasn't sure I could name.

And then—

A crash outside.

I nearly fell off the bed. "What the hell was that?"

Noachus was already on his feet, moving toward the door. He cracked it open—then sighed.

"What?" I asked, scrambling up beside him.

He stepped aside so I could see.

And there, in the moonlit clearing, stood a goat.

Just. A random freaking goat.

I stared. "You're kidding me."

The goat blinked. Then promptly trotted inside, as if this was its house and we were the intruders.

I looked at Noachus. "Uh. Is this normal?"

He sighed. "Welcome to island life, my lady."

I turned back to the goat.

It stared at me.

I stared back.

"…We're naming it Coconut."

Noachus groaned.