He threatened me.

I’m getting out of here. Today.

I close the door, shutting away talk and laughter. Then I race across cool tiles to lean over the patio’s railing. Warmth blasts my face. In the pitch-black, vague outlines of rooftops carve into the sky. I spot the gym, the manned towers, and the footpaths lit with soft, glowing lights leading to August’s secret garden. If I could spend the night there, I might dash into the forest and double-back to the road. It’s a long shot, but attempting an escape is better than waiting for whatever the general has planned for me. 

Seriously, fuck him. I’m not staying in this prison another second.

I retreat into the bedroom and grab the duffel bag. It’s still packed from my last attempt. I seize my hiking boots, ripping off the skirt to wear clothes more appropriate for a trek through the jungle. Sunglasses. Sunscreen. Check. Check.

What am I forgetting?

Toiletries—don’t need them. Water—definitely. Wallet, credit cards, passport.

Where the hell is it?

I comb through drawers, shoving aside paper to search for the small, leather-bound book. I left it in here—I’m sure of it. Everything dumps on the floor, rolling in all directions. I sift through my crap, but I can’t find it.

Panic builds in my chest. It’s my ticket out of here. Without it, I’m fucked. I can’t even drive to an embassy for a new one.

“Can I help you?”

My heart beats in my throat as August appears at my side, arms crossed in grim resignation.

Shit. “My passport’s missing.”

“I hid it.”

I drop the pair of sneakers. “You did what?”

A frown creases his forehead. “I knew you’d try something dumb.”

“Screw you.”

He blocks me, slamming his arm across the threshold. 

“Hilarious.” This isn’t funny anymore. “You’re holding me against my will. That’s kidnapping.”

“I’m saving you from certain death.” He sighs harshly. “This was why I wanted you to stay upstairs.”

I shove him, but all it does is make him smile. “Out of my way!”

“Or what?”

“I want to leave.”

“I hear you, but that’s not possible.” His voice rises, and the words fall on me like swift blows. “You cannot go.”

I imagine myself launching at August, but every scenario I play in my brain ends with him overpowering me. “If you care anything for me, you’ll step aside.”

He shakes his head. “I can’t do that. You’ll die.”

My hands shake. “Get out of it.”

“How many times do I have to repeat it’s too dangerous? You won’t survive.”

I approach him, close enough so that he can sense my fury. “Let me go, you fucking bastard liar.”

“No.”

“You don’t own me, August.”

A flame grows in his dark pools. “Not yet.”

“Who do you think you are?”

“Your future husband.”

I’m startled by his conviction. He takes my hand, dominating me with hardly any effort. His thumb strokes the ring still wrapped around me. 

“Take it.” Heart pounding, I twist it from my finger. “Here.”

Much as it’ll break me to end our relationship, I can’t keep it. 

“No.” August folds my palm. “It’s yours. It’s always been yours.”

“I can’t stay here. Your father is insane.”

“What did he say?”

“A lot.” I can’t rule out August having a large part in his father’s plans. “You have to help me leave.”

Footsteps echo down the hall. 

August tears his gaze from me to stare at the door. “It’s too late, Lily.”

I open and shut my mouth. “You promised me you’d take me away.”

“I know.”

“Did you lie about that, too?” I watch his discomfort grow, my stomach churning. “You did.”

“No. Jesus, Lily. I didn’t fucking lie. Give me some credit. I warned you about my situation, remember?” His eyes flash, daring me to contradict him. “I told you things were different here. That you wouldn’t have the same freedoms you were used to.”

“When am I getting out of here?” 

“No idea,” he says flatly. “I can’t spirit you from here.”

“You brought me in easily!” I shove past him, dragging the bag behind me. “As the general’s son, you should have more leeway.”

“It’s complicated.”

That sounds like bullshit. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“If you’re miserable I’ll set you free. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with someone who hates me.”

I don’t hate you. The words sink into my heart. “Good.”

“Look, I’m sorry. I thought—I thought you loved me. I assumed it would be enough.” His voice lowers. “I was wrong.”

I turn from his hurt. He doesn’t get to blame me for not being thrilled with my new environment. His dad is a mass murderer. 

None of this is fair. 

“It’ll take finesse, but you need to understand something.”

I wheel around, sputtering through the ball lodged in my throat. “What?”

August yanks at his stiff collar, exposing a length of tanned skin. The buttons snap as he moves down, opening his shirt. “I can’t leave.”

“That’s crazy. Of course you’re allowed.”

“No.” He chokes on bitterness. “My father can block me from leaving the country—and has many times. That’s why I couldn’t visit earlier. I had to convince him the trip was for sightseeing.”

He’s trapped here like me. Now it makes sense. 

I’m such a moron. “I’m not here because I’m the love of your life, am I?” 

Horror dawns on August’s face. 

“I’m here because I was the first idiot to fall for you. You don’t want me; you’re just bored.” The lies crack through the thick shell I’ve surrounded myself with ever since I found out I was stuck here. 

“It’s not like that.”

It is. Anguish daggers my chest. “I trusted you.”

“Have I been lonely? Yes. That doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings for you.” August softens. “Lily, you know that I—”

“Stop right there. I know nothing about you, and I don’t want to.” 

“Lily—”

“He threatened me, August.” I glare at him through pearls of mist. “Maybe being raised by that man rendered you incapable of understanding how I feel.”

A stunned silence follows my words. “He’s bluffing.”

“I’m glad you’re so sure.”

August grabs my bicep, yanking me. I swallow a yell before it bursts from my lips, frightened by the intensity in his stare. 

“If he hurt you, he knows I’d kill him.”

I blanch at the conviction in his voice. “You wouldn’t—”

“I would.” 

In that case, it’d be hubris over love. He’s already proven that. 

He releases me. 

I hurtle through the halls and descend the stairs. I left the bag with all my belongings with August, but I don’t care. This has to work. Staying here isn’t an option, not with that lunatic father of his. I won’t be someone’s entertainment. 

My feet take me down the paths to August’s garden, where I know there’s a weakness in the barrier closing off the jungle. I can slip through. Disappear.

All I have to do is follow the perimeter and stay under cover of the bushes. I’ll find the road and reach civilization. I’ll charter a bus out of here. Whatever it takes, I’ll do it.

I push the kissing gate. The steel groans loudly. I run through, flying through the damp grass until I crash through a familiar path with a sign—NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. The ground becomes hard-packed earth. I jog near drought-resistant shrubs and eucalyptus. The medicinal scent stings my memory, of palm-lined roads and rolling hills. 

California. Home.

I sprint into the dense forest. A crack in the facade appears. I’m thin enough to squeeze by. 

Thank God.

My torso edges through, and I fall onto a bed of wet leaves. I’ve made it through. I grope upright, hissing at a sudden pain at my side. A thick tube twists from my hip with a curious diamond pattern. Is it a stick? I grab it, feeling scales and dry, reptilian skin.

Then I notice the glowing, yellow eyes.

Snake. 

I pass out.