Page 12 of The Cursed Chalice

I race to the car.

“Ma’am, aren’t you the bride?” The person’s voice is getting closer.

I drop the remaining fobs, pick up my dress, and run. If I can make it to the small town, I will be fine.

The car’s light flashes when I click the fob.

I open the door and lock it… then jump as the valet taps the window.

“Um, ma’am.”

I ignore him. I press the start button, and the car rumbles under me.

I lower the window a smidge. “Give me a ten-minute head start, then go in and tell them. I can’t.”

His shoulder drops, and his mouth tightens. “Go.”

My heart leaps as I begin the long drive out of the driveway. I look in the rearview mirror, and I see one of Elias’s men. I need to speed up.

If I make it past the small town, I can get to a phone or…something.

I have no plans, but I haven’t felt this free in months. The tall poplar trees whisk by as I speed down the driveway.

A guard stands in front of the open gate. He thinks I won’t run him over for my freedom. As I near him, he begins to wave his arms frantically over his head.

I press down hard on the horn. “Move.” Sweat runs down the side of my face. “MOVE.”

Oh God, I am about to commit murder. I press the horn again, gesturing with my hand. “FUCKING MOVE.”

Finally, he dives to the side as I drive through the open gate and drift to the right.

I laugh at myself because I never thought I could do this. I pass by green pastures, grazing cows, and tall trees. I smile for the first time while I observe the surroundings. I hope I am going the right way. A laugh burst from my lips. This is crazy. But this was the first instance, I was doing something for me.

I turn the radio on, and Lenny Kravitz’s “Fly Away” surrounds me in the car.Ha, this is a sign!The guitar chords make me feel like a rebel. I grab the back of my head with one hand and unclip my veil. I lower the window and throw it out. The rearview mirror shows the veil traveling over someone’s fence.

I raise one hand, pump it in the air, and scream out, “WHOOO HOOO!”

I can see the edge of the town ahead of me. Freedom is right there; I could taste it. I look in the mirror, and my soul drops as I see three cars and dust coming up behind me.

“No, no.” I speed up again as Lenny cheers me on. God, they are too close. Just then, I see a sign, but I can’t make out the words.

Shit, the streets are closed off. There are paparazzi in the town. I drive around the dial in the middle of the city and park the car to the side of a café.How the hell do I exit the car without anyone seeing me?

I turn the engine off and leave the keys in the cup holder.

The rearview mirror shows Elias’s men emerging from the car. They’re in suits, aviators, and earpieces.

The paparazzi already have their cameras up right as the men begin to spread out. I can make a scene. The paps will follow, making it impossible for Elias’s men to get to me.

I open the door and breathe. I hike my dress up and run. As expected, being in a white dress and running catches some eyes. The paps race after me. I don’t know if this is a good plan, but I am desperate. I run past an antique store.

“Run, child.”I hear a voice in the wind. But running in Le Kero six-inch heels, with a soft crepe wrapped around the ankles, is not for the weak. Hell, running in heels should be an Olympic sport.

“Stop her!” someone shouts. I make a left turn, sprinting down a long, narrow alley, and I see a dead end. Shit, I miscalculated.

No, I can’t give up. I can hear the snapping of the cameras and Elias’s men shouting my name. Is this how it’s really going to end? I can’t go back. I slap my palms against the brick wall.

“No, please…no.”