“Fuck, this isn’t looking good,” Lucien whispers, peeking through the curtains to the road below. After the tavern they insisted we move to a safe location, and now we’re holed up in one of the dozen safe houses they seem to have spread around town. We did it just in time because shortly after, the military police strolled into town and started checking out every public establishment.

In fact, there’s a police car right outside of the apartment building we’re in. Lucien has his eyes on the men in uniforms outside and, judging by the way he’s running his thumb over the butt of the gun strapped to his belt, I’d say they’re up to no good.

“What are they doing?” Richard asks him.

“They’re putting up posters,” Lucien replies, and the tension in his voice sweeps away the need for further questions. The posters he’s talking about are of me. I guess that Prince Gladrell was right; the Queen isn’t holding back when it comes to dealing with loose ends.

“Guys...” I call them, sitting up and going for the remote. I’ve been staring at the TV for an hour now, just watching some dumb show while we wait for the heat outside to become more manageable, but now a special announcement has just interrupted the scheduled programming.

“Shit,” Lucien whispers as I turn the volume up. On the screen the Royal emblem is flashing, and then that image gives way to a podium, and behind it there’s the flag of St. Carlta. Commanding that scenery, there’s my lovely stepmother, Queen Moira.

With her hair cascading down her shoulders, there’s a stern expression on her face. She has her lips pursed and there’s ice in her eyes, and she looks as beautiful as she looks intimidating.

“Citizens of St. Carlta,” she starts, looking at the camera without blinking even once, “these are dark times, I won’t deny it. The King is unfit to rule, but some among our midst have grown too attached to power. As such, it’s with a heavy heart that I’ll have to take some hard measures.”

Lucien and Richard exchange a glance, and there’s something in their seriousness right now that makes my heart tighten up.

“Princess Snow is on the run,” the Queen continues, the ice in her words growing. “She seems to be working with those that want to overthrow the order in this country, and so I have no choice but to tell you this: anyone caught harboring Princess Snow will be tried, sentenced, and executed as a traitor.”

“Fuckin’ hell,” Richard mutters, and I feel the palm of my hands become sweaty. Is this really happening? Has she gone mad? I knew she wasn’t someone to be trusted, but I never thought she’d go this far.

“She’s crazy,” I say, looking from Richard to Lucien, but they don’t even reply. Their eyes are glued to the screen, hanging on each and every word the Queen says.

“Princess, if you’re listening,” my stepmother goes on saying, “please turn yourself in. There’s no reason to bring any more chaos to our beloved kingdom. Turn yourself in, and atone for your sins and those of your father.” Leaning in, she then narrows both her eyes into slits, and I feel as if she’s staring at my very soul. “Because, trust me on this...I’ll find you. And once I do, the consequences will be severe.”

With that, she falls into a somber silence, looking at the camera until the image finally fades away.

“Well, we were right,” Lucien sighs, taking the remote out of my hands and turning the TV off. “She’ll stop at nothing.”

“We gotta —” Richard starts to reply, but he falls silent as the apartment door swings open. His hands drop to his belt, where he has the holster of his gun, but his fingers relax as he sees William walk through the doorway.

“The whole city is crawling with soldiers,” William says as he comes in, quickly locking the door behind him.

“Yeah, we’ve seen the military police —”

“Forget about the military police. We’re dealing with the regular cops, the military, and I’ve had word that the Royal soldiers are already on their way as well. Soon enough we’ll be trapped in here.“ Running one hand through his hair, William presses his back against the door and sighs heavily. Looking straight at me, he purses his lips, deep in thought. “We gotta move.”

“Shit,” Lucien mumbles, sitting on the chair next to the window and once more peeking through the curtains. “Soon enough they’ll be setting up roadblocks and then we’ll be really fucked.”

“Yeah, I’ll warn the others. We gotta head back to the hideout fast,” Richard agrees, grabbing the radio strapped to his belt.

“Hey,” I protest, jumping up to my feet and folding my arms over my chest. I look from Richard to Lucien, and then to William, and only then do I start to talk. “I’m standing right here. Don’t I have a say on what happens next? It’s not like I’m okay with putting your lives at risk! You’ve heard the Queen; if any one of you is caught, you’ll be —”

“Snow, please,” William whispers, closing the distance between him and I, and softly placing his index finger over my lips. “None of us is afraid of the consequences. We were aware of the dangers the moment we signed up for this...” Taking a deep breath, he then averts his gaze from mine and continues. “And, no, unfortunately you don’t have a say on what happens right now. The queen has turned you into a pawn in a political game, and we have to do our best to protect you.”

“William’s right,” Lucien agrees, nodding. “Right now the priority is getting you back to the fortress. And we don’t have time to discuss it. We have to move.”

“Okay, okay,” I whisper, looking at Lucien. “Let’s go then.”

They’re right; this isn’t the time for me to act like a spoiled little brat. This is war, and my stepmother turned me into a pawn. A pawn she wants to grab and grind into dust.

If I want to make it out of this alive, I’ll have to trust my seven protectors.