Eden's heart pounded. It was high. If she missed, she'd break something—or worse. She turned toward the door again just as it burst inward, flames roaring through her room. The heat hit her like a wall.
There was no time left to think.
She climbed onto the railing, shut her eyes, and jumped.
"Nice jump!" Davin's voice was the first thing she heard as strong arms caught her mid-fall.
Eden opened her eyes in disbelief, finding herself in his arms. For a moment, all she could do was stare up at him, her pulse racing. He set her down gently on the grass, but her knees immediately gave out, and she sank to the ground.
"Hey," Davin said, crouching beside her. "Are you okay? Can you stand?"
"My legs… they won't move," she breathed. "Can we just rest for a minute—"
"We can't," he cut in firmly, scanning the perimeter. "Unless you want them to find us."
Eden followed his gaze upward. Flames now engulfed the terrace they had just escaped from. The mansion blazed like a beacon in the dark, and the night air reeked of smoke and gunpowder.
"Let's go. We don't have much time," Davin said, helping Eden to her feet. She didn't resist this time, letting him guide her through the burning estate.
As they moved away from the mansion, a few armed men appeared from the shadows. Davin fired without hesitation — two clean shots, then silence. They kept running until the trees opened to reveal the shoreline. A few speedboats bobbed near the dock, half-hidden by mist.
"That's our only way out," Davin said.
"You mean we have to swim?"
He didn't answer — he was already in the water. Eden followed, struggling against the current until Davin caught her arm and helped her climb into one of the boats. Before joining her, he swam to the other vessels and attached small devices to their hulls — explosives, she realized with a chill.
"Let's go," he said as he vaulted aboard. He started the engine just as armed men reached the beach. Bullets splashed into the water behind them. The boat roared forward, cutting through the waves. Seconds later, the boats Davin had rigged exploded in a chain of fireballs that lit up the night.
Eden watched the inferno swallow the island — the mansion, the guards, everything. Her chest tightened. "They're all gone…" she whispered.
"At least the Queen and Donna weren't there," Davin said quietly, eyes fixed on the horizon.
A helicopter appeared overhead, its lights sweeping the waves. It hovered directly above them, the downdraft churning the sea. A soldier dropped a rappel line. Davin grabbed their gear and turned to Eden.
"No," she said, shaking her head.
"You don't have a choice." He clipped a harness around her waist before she could protest.
"Commander, you really enjoy torturing me," she muttered.
"If saving you counts as torture, then yes," he said dryly, locking the harness between them. He pulled her close. Eden gasped as the line went taut and they were lifted into the air, the boat shrinking below them.
The helicopter began to rise and move. She clung to Davin's arm as the wind whipped around them. A second later, a massive explosion tore through the speedboat they had just abandoned.
When they reached the open door, a soldier reached down and hauled Eden safely inside, then helped Davin aboard. He unhooked their harnesses and handed off their gear before heading to the cockpit.
"Take us to Navy Headquarters," he ordered the pilot.
At the base, they were met by the admiral, who escorted them to a private conference room. Eden was led to rest, while Davin followed the admiral to his office. A large monitor flickered to life, showing the faces of General Bryant and the Ambassador of Valenor.
"Lieutenant Commander," said the ambassador. "Thank you for your immediate response. How is the princess?"
"She's safe and resting, sir," Davin replied. "If I may ask — what happened?"
The ambassador's expression darkened. "You're aware that Queen Eleanor returned to Valenor two days ago. Unfortunately, she cannot come back yet. There are threats from factions claiming their own right to the throne. The attackers tonight were men loyal to Baron Kaiser. He believes the Princess is not the rightful heir and intends to place the Earl of Wesley on the throne."
Davin clenched his jaw. "Understood."
"You and General Bryant are the only ones we trust to protect her," the ambassador continued. "Until the Queen stabilizes the situation, Her Highness must remain hidden. Her identity must stay secret — we don't yet know who our enemies are."
He paused, then added, "General Bryant has suggested she stay with your family for the time being."
"Live with me?" Davin repeated, startled.
"With you and your family," the ambassador clarified. "The General mentioned a place — remote, secure, known only to you. He believes it's the safest option."
Davin exchanged a glance with his father on the screen. He knew exactly which place the General meant: their family's Hacienda, deep in the countryside — untouched, untraceable, and unknown to almost everyone.
"Commander," the ambassador said, "you'll have only one soldier assigned to assist you. We want the princess to live as normally as possible. Too much protection would draw suspicion. Choose someone you trust completely."
"That won't be a problem," Davin replied calmly. "I already have someone in mind."
"Excellent. But we must go further," said the ambassador. "If the wrong people begin asking questions, we need a believable cover for why you're living together. Two strangers, isolated in a private estate, will attract attention. But a married couple? That would raise no suspicion."
Davin blinked. "Sir?"
The ambassador's tone was matter-of-fact. "You'll both take on new identities. As far as anyone outside this command knows, you are husband and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Davin Bryant. It is the most effective disguise we can offer."
The words landed like a thunderclap. Even the admiral beside him turned his head, watching Davin's reaction.
"With all due respect, sir," Davin said carefully, "I am a soldier. My role is to protect the Princess, not to play house. Marriage… is not part of my operational duties."
The ambassador gave a faint smile. "I'm aware this isn't standard protocol, Commander. But think of it as an extension of your cover. The moment anyone suspects who she is, she's dead. You know that."
Davin's jaw tightened. He hated how right the man was. "I understand the need for concealment, sir. But I would prefer—"
"There is no safer option," the ambassador interrupted firmly. "The Hacienda is private, but even privacy can draw attention. Two people living together there under the guise of a newlywed couple will be ignored, even welcomed by the local community. This is not a request, Commander. It's an order — for her safety."
For a moment, Davin didn't answer. His gaze flicked briefly to his father on the screen, who remained silent but gave him a slow, knowing nod.
Finally, Davin exhaled, tension visible in his shoulders. "Understood, sir. If this is the only way to keep her safe, I'll comply."
"Good," the ambassador said. "New identification and documents will be issued within the hour. From this point on, Her Highness will no longer exist. Only Mrs. Claire Bryant does."
The line went silent for a beat before the ambassador added, "You'll brief the Princess personally. Make sure she understands what's at stake."
"Yes, sir."
As the call ended, Davin stood motionless for a moment. The admiral excused himself, leaving him alone in the dimly lit room.
He ran a hand down his face and muttered, half to himself, "A wife. Just what I needed."
Then he straightened his uniform, the soldier once more. He could handle bullets, fire, and blood — but pretending to be someone's husband? That, he knew, would be a different kind of battlefield.