THE 14TH ACCOUNT: CITY UNDER THE SEA 3

It was hopeless! I tried every means possible to take the ring off! Soap, oils, moisturizers, threads, strings… name it! My finger was already too sore by the time I was done! The only time I stopped trying was when I fell asleep, and I was trying not to.

When morning came, I was awakened by palace maidens who served me breakfast. They prepared my bath and when I came out of the oil and flower petals-filled tub, they showed me my wedding dress.

"This is NOT happening," I muttered.

Although I wanted to throw myself off the window so the wedding would not proceed, I could not help but admire the dress. It was gleaming white with gold lace designs and trimmings. The palace maidens helped me put it on. They braided my hair and put flowers and pearls on it to prepare me for the wedding.

"I really do NOT want to get married. Is there any way I could escape?" I told them. My last desperate attempt to get away.

They giggled in response, but continued to make me pretty and prepared for the wedding.

"But Miss, the Prime Minister is soooo dreamy," one of them said teasingly. The others agreed.

I rolled my eyes in response and decided to hold my tongue. Oh, Jacob, where are you? He is now my sole salvation!

When the palace maids were gone, I immediately walked to the door and pulled. It was locked. Of course, it will be locked. I groaned! I checked the windows but they were too high up above the ground. Maybe, I should just jump! But, I don't want to die. I still want to see MY Jacob.

So, I scanned the room to see what I could use as a rope to dangle by the window. I saw the sheets, the blankets, and the curtains... I grinned as an idea came to mind. I quickly put my plan into action and took off all the curtains I could find. Then, I began to tie them together.

I was so busy with my plan when I heard the sound of cracking walls. It was not too loud but enough to be heard by someone if they were nearby. I looked to see what it was and my lips formed into a smile after I saw Jacob emerge from the cracked wall by my door.

"There you are," he said and smiled at me.

"Finally…" I said with a relieved sigh.

His eyes eyed me from my feet to my head before walking towards me. I met him halfway and we hugged.

When he let go he asked, "You sure do look very lovely, what's the occasion?"

I rolled my eyes, "I'm getting married."

He scrunched his forehead. "WHAT?! MARRIAGE?! TO WHOM?! YOU AGREED TO IT? REALLY DARLING!" His questions immediately shot out from his lips in a raised tone.

I quickly placed my hand over his mouth, "Of course I did not. I've been trying to escape since yesterday. And shhh!!! They might hear you."

"You could've just said NO," he whispered back after he removed my hand from his mouth.

"I did.. Several times. But this MAN, the Prime Minister, said that as long as I have this ring, then I have to marry him," I replied and showed him the ring.

"Then, take it off," he answered.

I rolled my eyes. "As if I haven't tried that yet. Here, you do it. Maybe it will budge if you pull," I gave him my hand.

Jacob immediately pulled but he too could NOT take it off.

"See? It's enchanted. Now, let's get out of here before some guards materialize and stop us!" I said and pulled him out the room.

After that, Jacob led me out of the palace courts. His hand never let go of mine. Amazingly, there were no guards that were coming after us, which I found odd. Yesterday, it did not take long before I was dragged back. This time, no one. That, I'm grateful for.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

Jacob shrugged his shoulders. "I am not sure. I just have a hunch to go back to the starting point where I was transported."

"How did you get here? Did Ezekra swallow you too?" I asked.

Jacob turned to me. "I pried her mouth open so she could swallow me," he answered and winked. "I already told you, Darling. I'll brave through hell to get you back. I meant that."

My heart jumped and I smiled, "I miss you."

He stopped running and faced me, "Oh you have no idea." He held my face and bridged the gap between our faces.

We were kissing, AGAIN! I smiled. When did I get so hooked… so obsessed…. so addicted to his kisses? I responded and we both deepened the kiss. Oblivious to the escape that we have yet to complete.

Sooner than later, I remembered what was going on and who we were against so I pushed him gently to separate us. "Jacob, stop." He chuckled as a response.

"Looks like I can't get enough of you," he teased as he traced the outlines of my lips with his thumb.

I sighed, "We have to get out of here. The Prime Minister… he… he has powers… he can control minds. He's quite very impressive, as a matter of fact."

Jacob scrunched his forehead after I said that. Then, I realized my mistake but I could not take back what I just said, "Is he good-looking?"

"What?!" I said defensively. Boyt was good looking but I was not attracted to him.

"Do you find him attractive?" he asked me suspiciously.

Now, I have a clue of how he felt when I was interrogating him about other women. I felt awkward. "Oh my goodness Jacob. This is NOT the time to ask that," I glared at him to hide my awkwardness.

Jacob let me go and crossed his arms. "How come you are avoiding the question?" he pressed on.

I blinked my eyes several times. "I am NOT avoiding the question." Suddenly, I felt very defensive. "I am just implying that this is NOT the time for your … your .. ego…" I retorted.

Jacob pointed at himself, "My ego?"

I nodded, "Yes, your ego."

"Ha! Well excuse me for asking MY woman if she is attracted to someone else. Surely, you can't blame me if I have my doubts. I mean I don't even know your name!"

"What? You are doubting my feelings for you?!" I raised my voice as well.

"Well, wouldn't you? If you never knew my name?!"

Point well made. I sighed. I had to erase those doubts, "Oh my goodness Jacob. My name is Edi--"

I was about to tell him my name but Boyt appeared with his guards out of nowhere, "There you are!" he said.

Jacob immediately held my hand and put me behind him. He narrowed his eyes at Boyt. Boyt smirked in response. Again, amusement was transparent on his handsome face.