The flickering crystal light cast eerie shadows throughout the room, enhancing its sense of foreboding. But she refused to be deterred, determined to gain her freedom from the confines of their home.
‘Nada,’ came the final rasp, making clear his word was law within these walls.
What the ever-lovin fokk?
She stared at him, gaping at his face, disbelief and anger warring inside her.
How could he deny a simple request for independence, for a savoring of the world beyond this suffocating confine?
Was he still punishing her?she thought, wanting to hurl insults in his face.
The inferno smoldering inside her flared to life, defiance bubbling up like a fierce storm, ready to break free.
Mak’s gaze remained fixed on the documents before him, his jaw set in a stubborn line. He would not change his mind, and no amount of pleading or bargaining would sway him from his decision.
Saba refused to show him her frustration, to give him an easy win. Exhaling, she swallowed her pride and mustered a calm facade, even as her insides boiled with rebellion.
‘I understand,Šar. Sante, for your time.’
She forced out the words through gritted teeth and turned to leave, a spark of mutiny igniting within her.
She’d always pushed the boundaries.
If Mak didn’t grant her her request, she would find a way to escape the golden chains of her marriage, which grew heavier with each passing moment.
She would not live this way, alone, afraid, trapped, and unloved. She’d done so for many years, but no more.
‘Fine,’ she breathed to herself. ‘I’ll be the dutiful little wife you expect.’
Having nofokkin’ intention of being so.
Hours later, as the sun set, she slipped through the manicured hedges and into the cover of the sprawling gardens.
With a backpack, her hands, her face obscured by a cap, and her feet in sturdy boots, her heart raced with a heady mix of exhilaration and fear.
The cool evening air soothed her heated skin as she darted among the shadows, avoiding any prying eyes that might be watching.
Her breath came in quick gasps as she ran, the lush greenery blurring around her in a flurry of motion.
Placing as much distance between herself and that suffocating life as possible.
As she reached the edge of the gardens, a high iron gate loomed before her like a barrier to freedom.
Without hesitation, she grasped the cold metal bars and began to climb, her hands scraping against the rough surface as she pulled herself up and over.
She landed on the other side with a soft thud, her pulse thundering in her ears as she stumbled forward onto unfamiliar ground.
The world beyond the lodge was a stark contrast to the manicured perfection within its walls. Here, the surface was jagged beneath her feet, the air tinged with the scent of wildflowers.
She needed to hitch a ride to freedom.
In her bag was her comm tab, which she intended to use to book a fly cab as soon as she was sufficiently far from Mak’s lodge.
She had a bag of clothes and schills in her wrist comm, enough to book passage off The Sombra.
She’d left everything else behind.
Including Mak’s cold, cruel eyes and vengeful rage.
