"How could you say that to me, your other half? I am your sister. We share the same womb, so I have to be," Straw said as Pine watched her.
His eyes stayed fixed on her face, searching for something that refused to appear. Recognition. Truth. Anything that would make sense of the words coming out of her mouth. She stood there breathing hard, her hands clenched at her sides, daring him to believe her. Still, he did not.
And no matter how many times she said it, the thought refused to settle in his mind. It felt wrong. Unnatural. The only thing Pine could focus on was the road ahead, the distance between this place and home, and how quickly he could put it all behind him.
"My Lord, the carriage is ready to leave," the coachman said.
The words cut through the tension like a blade, sharp and unwelcome. Pine did not hesitate. He turned toward the sound as if it were a lifeline.
"You know what, sister," Pine said, grabbing Straw by the hand, "when we reach Eastside we will discuss what is happening to you. But now let's go."
His grip was firm. Not cruel, but unyielding. He began pulling her toward the door of the guest house.
"Let me go. I am not going. I am not going," Straw said.
She twisted her wrist, trying to break free. Her feet dragged against the floor as she resisted him with everything she had. Pine tightened his hold, his fingers digging into her skin so she would not slip away. The pain made her desperate. She leaned forward and bit him on the hand halfway, her teeth sinking in without warning.
"Ahhh!" Pine screamed, jerking his hand back. "Not only are you into women now, you've become a dog."
He shook his hand violently, his face contorting. For a brief moment, he looked like he might cry. His eyes burned, his mouth trembled, and his breath came uneven. Then he noticed the coachman watching them. His expression hardened instantly.
"Sister," he said, forcing his voice steady, "let's go, or I am going to leave you here alone."
"Bye bye," Straw said.
She waved her hand mockingly, her lips curling into a smile she did not fully feel. The gesture barely moved inches toward him.
Pine froze.He stared at her, knowing he could not do it. Could not leave her behind. Their mother would never forgive him. He could already hear her voice, sharp and disappointed, asking how he could abandon his own sister.
With a frustrated growl, Pine bent down, grabbed Straw, and threw her over his shoulder.
"No," Straw screamed, pounding against his back. "Put me down. Pine, put me down."
He ignored her.
When they got outside, the sky had already darkened. Night had settled quietly around the guest house, swallowing the last traces of daylight. The carriage stood waiting, lanterns flickering on either side.
Pine opened the door and shoved his sister inside. She continued shouting, her voice echoing within the carriage walls.
He climbed in after her. Just before Straw could fully adjust herself, Pine grabbed her hand again. He pulled out a rope and tied her wrist against the side of the carriage, knotting it tightly.
"Just know," he said, breathing hard, "when we get home, I am telling mother everything you did. And she will believe me this time."
Straw struggled against the rope, testing it. It did not give.
"Look, this is kidnapping," she said. "You kidnapped the princess's wife. Do you know what she would do to you? She will kill you."
Pine did not look at her.
"Once we are in our city," he replied, "she and that mad dog will not be able to do anything to us. I don't want to be here another second. If you were in your right senses, you would understand."
The carriage lurched forward. Immediately, they left.
The road stretched endlessly. The sound of hooves and wheels filled the space between them. Straw continued struggling at first, pulling at the rope, shifting her weight, trying to find some way out. Pine sat stiffly across from her, his jaw clenched, staring straight ahead. Eventually, her movements slowed.
Midway through the journey, Straw had calmed down. Her breathing steadied. Her body slumped slightly as she gave up trying to free herself. The rope burned against her skin, but she no longer had the strength to fight it. She leaned her head back, staring at the ceiling of the carriage.
Just when she thought she was never going to see the princess again, the carriage suddenly stopped. The halt was abrupt. For a few seconds, there was no noise. No hooves. No wheels. No voices.
Pine leaned forward, preparing to step down, but then he heard something else. A grunt. Then another. The sound of struggle. And then nothing.
"What is happening?" Straw asked.
She turned her head toward Pine. His face had gone pale. His eyes were wide, frozen with something close to recognition. As if he already knew what was coming.
Footsteps approached. Slow. Measured. Pine began to pant. His chest rose and fell too quickly. He turned to his sister.
"I knew it," he said. "I always told Mother that you would be the death of me…"
Before he could finish his sentence, the carriage door was yanked open. Hands grabbed him. Pine screamed as he was dragged out of the carriage. "Help me!"
"Duke Pine," Straw muttered.
Her voice shook as she tried to move, tried to pull against the rope again. Panic flooded her chest, making it hard to think. The knot refused to loosen. Her fingers fumbled uselessly.
Hearing her brother's screams made it worse. Louder. Closer. Desperate. As she struggled, someone stepped into view beside the carriage.
Thinking it was someone dangerous, Straw screamed. Then she stopped.
"Princess," she said.
Her breath slowed when she recognized Berryanna standing there, calm and composed in the darkness. Relief washed over Straw so suddenly that she smiled.
Berryanna wasted no time. She pulled out a dagger and sliced through the rope with one clean motion. The tension snapped free.
Straw rubbed her wrist as Berryanna helped her down from the carriage. That was when Straw noticed Berryanna was not alone.
The hooded prince stood nearby. One hand was lifting Pine off the ground as if he weighed nothing. Pine was still shouting, his legs kicking uselessly.
"Pinello," Vinegario said. "Do you remember me? Of course you do. I cannot wait to give you payback for your long stay here." Pine screamed louder.
Straw stared at them. At Pine's face twisted in fear. At the way Vinegario's grip did not loosen. As long as Pine was still breathing, she said nothing. In fact, she enjoyed it. Now he was getting his payback.
She turned to Berryanna and smiled. "You really do have eyes everywhere, don't you, my shiny knight," Straw said.
"Let's go," Berryanna replied.
Her carriage was already waiting in front of them. Straw followed without hesitation. They walked toward it side by side.
Behind them, Pine's voice cracked.
"Straw, please don't leave me here with him. Please. I promise I will not whistle on you. Take me with you."
Straw did not turn around. She pretended not to hear him.
"So, princess," she said as she stepped toward the carriage, "what shall we do on our first night as a married couple?"