5. The Runaway Princess

Chapter 5 Sage ran until her lungs burned. Cold Colorado air clawed at her throat as she pushed through the crowded sidewalks of Blackwater Ridge, nearly slamming into tourists carrying coffee cups and shopping bags. Somebody cursed behind her when she clipped their shoulder, but she didn’t stop. Jace found her. After six years. After three towns, Two fake identities and five years of sleeping with panic lodged in her chest. He found her. Her hands shook so violently she nearly dropped her keys while unlocking her apartment miles apart from Pine Creek Veterinary Clinic. The second she got inside, she slammed the door shut and twisted the locks twice. Then she grabbed her phone and broke the rule. One rule. That was all Ethan asked from her. Never call first unless something is wrong. Sage hit the dial anyway and the line connected after one ring. “What happened?” Ethan instantly sounded alert and Sage burst into tears. “He found me.” He paused a bit as if he was trying to process her words “Who?” Her chest tightened painfully. “Jace.” A loud curse exploded through the phone. Sage dropped onto her knees beside the couch, shaking so hard her vision blurred. “He’s here,” she choked out. “He’s here, Ethan.” “Listen to me carefully.” His voice turned sharp immediately. “Did he follow you home?” “I-I don’t know.” “Why the f**k did you call me then now that he found you?” “Because I’m scared!” she cried. “I didn’t know what to do!” Ethan exhaled harshly. “You know the rules, Sage. I don't want them tracking this device.” “I know!” Her voice cracked completely. “But something came up, okay? Something bad!” “I want to leave,” she said immediately. “Please. I’ll do anything. I don’t care anymore. I’ll go to school, I’ll go anywhere you want, I just—” Her breathing broke apart. “He’s here to take me back.” Ethan's tone softened. “He’s not taking you anywhere.” “You don’t know that!” “I do.” “No, you don’t!” she sobbed. “You didn’t see his face, Ethan. You didn’t see how he looked at me.” Fear crashed through her body all over again and it's not because Jace looked angry. That would’ve been easier. He looked calm and somehow that terrified her more. “I can’t go back there,” she whispered brokenly. “Please don’t let them take me back.” “They won’t.” Ethan’s voice hardened instantly. “I swear to God, Sage, nobody is touching you again.” She pressed a trembling hand against her mouth. “What do I do?” “Go to the airport.” He told her and she blinked. “What?” “I’ll arrange a flight right now.” Her heartbeat pounded harder. “You’re coming here?” “Yes.” “But your club—” “f**k the club, I'm coming right away. I'll use my Prez Jet to fly down there..” Emotion hit her so suddenly she almost cried harder. Ethan continued quickly. “You’ll meet me in Seattle first. After that, we’ll figure out how to move you safely to Portugal.” Portugal. “You can start school there,” Ethan added carefully. Sage laughed shakily through tears. “Still pushing college?” “You just said you'll do anything, You’re impossible.” “You love me anyway, Thank you so much Ethan.” There's a tiny pause before he sighed “Unfortunately, I do love you now, get the hell out of that place..” That nearly broke her completely, Ethan lowered his voice. “Sage.” “Yeah?” “Turn your phone off after this call.” Her stomach tightened again. “You think they can track me?” “I think your father has too much money and too many connections.” Fear slithered coldly down her spine. “Okay.” “Pack light and Sage?” Her grip tightened around the phone. “If Jace finds you before you leave…”Ethan’s voice turned deadly calm. “Run.” The call ended and Sage immediately shut her phone off. For one second she just stood there in silence while panic swallowed the apartment whole. Then survival mode kicked in. She rushed toward her bedroom and yanked open drawers violently, throwing clothes into an old duffel bag without folding anything.. Her hands shook too badly to think properly. Mochi jumped onto the bed with an offended meow. Binx watched her from the doorway. Peaches immediately climbed into the suitcase like this was a game. “Oh my God, not now,” Sage cried. The cats meowed louder, sensing her distress instantly. Tears blurred her vision again. “I’m sorry,” she whispered while grabbing their travel carriers from the closet. “I’m sorry, babies.” Mochi hated carriers but Binx tolerated them. Peaches fought like a tiny criminal being arrested for tax fraud. By the time Sage finally got all three secured inside, she was sweating and crying at the same time. The apartment looked wrecked already like she’d never existed here peacefully at all. Fresh guilt punched straight through her chest as she remembered Harper. Sage rushed toward the kitchen counter and grabbed a sticky note with trembling fingers. Harper, I’m sorry. I have to leave.Please don’t look for me.Thank you for loving me anyway. If fate permits… maybe we’ll meet again. —S Tears splashed onto the paper before she could stop them. She placed the note carefully beside the coffee machine Harper used every morning. Then she looked around the apartment one last time. The yellow blankets on the couch, The cat toys scattered across the floor and the tiny herb plants near the windows. And she was losing it again. Because of them. Because of the boys she once loved more than herself. Her chest hurt so badly she could barely breathe. But fear won anyway. It always did. Sage grabbed the cat carriers and duffel bag before moving quickly toward the apartment door. She unlocked it, pulled it open and froze. Jace stood directly outside her apartment. Leaning casually against the railing like he’d been waiting for her. Her entire body went numb. No. No way— His gaze dropped immediately to the packed bags in her hands. Then to the cat carriers. Understanding flashed across his face instantly. “You’re leaving.” Sage stepped backward automatically. Jace pushed off the railing slowly. “Sage.” Her pulse exploded and the apartment suddenly felt too small. “No,” she whispered but his expression tightened. “I’m not here to hurt you.” Liar. Every instinct inside her screamed run. Run now. Sage looked wildly around the apartment before her eyes landed on the open living room window. Jace noticed immediately. “Sage—” She dropped the duffel bag then ran straight toward the window. Jace’s eyes widened. “What the f***k—” Sage grabbed the cat carriers and launched herself through the open window without thinking. Glass rattled violently as she hit the grass outside hard enough to bruise her knees instantly. Pain shot through her legs but it didn’t matter. She scrambled upright and bolted across the street carrying terrified screaming cats while adrenaline drowned everything else out. Behind her— “SAGE!” Jace sounded genuinely shocked now. She ran straight through the crowded sidewalks of downtown Blackwater Ridge while people shouted in confusion around her. But she kept running anyway because if Jace caught her— she was terrified a part of her might stop wanting to run. Behind her, Jace exploded into motion. “f**k!” He spun violently toward the parking lot and sprinted for his bike.