(Eden's Pov)

With every beat of my feet against the forest floor, my heart thumped wildly. The more I ran, the more it felt like I was heading closer to my doom, that each step might be my last, but I refused to stop. I couldn't, not when so many lives depended on me and my ability to make this mission a success.

My breaths became heavier, as I felt the biting cold wind whip against my skin. However I paid no attention to the goosebumps that had begun to sprout.

My eyes were fixed ahead of me as I reminded myself of the reason why I was doing this in the first place.noveldrama

Lily laid behind my back, still and quiet almost as if she could sense the gravity of our quest. I would protect her with my life if I had to, she was my daughter. The trees went blurry as I passed them. It was only a matter of hours before I get to the palace.

After a while, I got to a clearing surrounded by Crowberries and slowly came to a stop. My knees gave way slightly as I sat on the floor and took in deep breaths. With my breath still uneasy, I unstrapped Lily from my back. She was sound asleep, unbothered by whatever was happening around her.

I used the blanket I had securely tied her with to create a make-shift bed and laid her on it. She pouted her lips softly at the change in comfort but finally settled into it. When I was sure she was satisfied, I stood up and plucked some berries within reach. When I got enough, I sat down back and carefully crushed the berries in my hands.

I felt their juices burst, the strong smell of the berries taking up the whole place.

I smiled in contentment. This was exactly what I wanted, a strong smell to hide my scent and that of Lily's so the rogues wouldn't notice our presence.

I rubbed the berry juice into Lily's hair and skin, after which I crushed more and rubbed it over my skin and clothes. I worked quickly. There was no time to waste in whatever I was doing.

As soon as I was done, I picked Lily up and repositioned her on my back as I continued on my journey.

Long hours later, I could see the palace ahead.

A chill ran through me the closer I got. The last time I was here, I came for Sussie's help. I never imagined I would be back here again all by myself.

I sighed and slowed down as I approached the palace gates. Compared to last time, the security had gotten tighter. Rogues were positioned at strategic corners of the palace, all alert and ready to attack at the slightest sound of danger. "It's impossible to sneak in." I heard Tiara panic in my head.

She was right. There was hardly a way I could walk past these rogues without being caught.

"We have to find a way." I whispered to Tiara.

I was still counting the total number of rogues outside when an idea struck me.

I stepped deeper into the shadows of the forest trees, and looked around the ground before I bent to pick up a stone.

"What are you doing?" Tiara panicked.

"Watch me." I said.

With a long swing, I threw the stone in the opposing direction. The rogues immediately stood on alert, ears perked as they all turned to the noise.

That was the distraction I needed.

The rogues ran in the direction I

threw the stone, and quickly I ran out

of my hiding spot and as quickly as I could, I whipped past the gate into the palace grounds.

Thankfully, Lily stayed quiet behind me and didn't make a sound. I felt my heart fall into ease. It was almost as if Lily understood the situation and was scared of being caught just as I was.

I made my way into the interior of

the palace, and once again, I was hit by how quiet it was and the heavy stench of metallic. It smelled like blood and iron. The smell was so thick and heavy that my stomach

twisted in disgust.

I felt irritation crawl through me but I swallowed it back. This was not the time or place to think about my comfort.

Besides there was something else that loomed in the shadows, a dark feeling, something that made shivers run down my spine and made my blood run cold.

I pushed ahead, my breath shallow.

"We need to find everyone, Beauty, Adonis." Tiara said quickly.

I agreed, but a thought came in. "The palace is big, and filled with so many people. How do we find them?" I asked.

"All we need to do is to focus and pick on someone's scent. Beauty's!" Tiara said softly.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, my back against the walls of the palace as I hid in the shadows. reached out to that strange feeling inside of me, and in no time, I felt it, that pulse of power that

Love

reverberates through my veins.

Soon, my senses were more heightened than usual. I could easily distinguish the scents that lingered in the air.

My heart suddenly jumped when I caught a whiff of Beauty's scent. Excited, I followed the trail which led me through the maze-like corridors of the palace.

It wasn't long before it led me down a narrow dark hallway with a small door.

A dungeon.

I stopped, looked around to make sure I wasn't followed before I went in.

Nothing prepared me for the sight that greeted me.

This was hell's paradise.

Rows after rows of cage lined the walls, and a large number of people were huddled together in them, their bodies weak and looking gaunt from hunger.

There were no windows. The only light that was available was attached close to the entrance on one end, where the rogues stayed on guard.

My stomach twisted at the gruesome sight of the people in here. Before I could hold it back, a tear slipped out of my eyes and fell down my cheeks. Suddenly, I heard a loud sniff.

"I smell Crowberries." One of the rogues said loudly.

I stiffened. My blood dried up with fear. That was me.