Page 127 of Ink Deep Devotion

“I’m one against an army.”

“Dying with dignity and purpose is better than living as a puppet.”

She’s right. Something tells me a part of Nova had died once, the side that was a puppet, and now I’m looking at the puppeteer who survived.

“You can cut the strings that control your life, Mila. Learn from your mistakes. Don’t planhowto cut, how to escape, planwhereto cut! Make sure you have a fighting chance. Battles are won because of spur-of-moment decisions, but wars are won by plotting. Plan your escape this time. Don’t just run on a whim.” Her brows lift, allowing more light to seep into her grey eyes, eyes that hold her secrets closer than flesh clings to bone.

“You can’t do anything here.” She looks around the large bedroom we’re locked in.“We’re stuck on an island with no escape, so don’t be a fool and try. Embrace it. Trick them, and then when their eyes flutter away,” she waves her hands like butterfly wings in the air,“start to research.”

I wipe away the tears. This feels like a twisted dream and nightmare. When I woke to Dash in my room, I thought he was going to give in and change his mind. I thought that the last argument we had in the car actually worked.

He’s not listening anymore.

In the past, he at least entertained me and listened to me as he slept on the floor in my dorm or when he was buried deep inside my body. He listened.

Those days are long gone.

This is utter madness.

Dash drugged me, brought me to a private island he owned, and left me in a room with a wedding dress. He’s made no appearance. I woke up in a room with Nova, who was also drugged and had a dress waiting for her. I should apologize toNova; being my roommate caused Titan to lock his gaze on her, and he’s not letting go either.

I know why Dash is doing this, forcing this marriage, taking away my father’s control over me. No love is mingled within the grand scheme. He’s going to marry me, then lock me away as he sets the world on fire. I saw it in his vacant stare and hard jaw.

War is coming, and those who are smart will hide their treasures.

But you can’t be polished if you’re hidden from view. Tarnish takes over, and you’re left questioning what the point of cherishing you was in the first place.

???

I brace the wedding dress, which constricts my ribs. God, it feels just like a costume, except I’m lacking my pointe shoes.

I never really changed.

I thought I had, but this proves how wrong I am. I replaced my pointe shoes with Dash King’s dick. I love him so badly; I’ll do what he wants. Erasing what I want. I’m back to not knowing who I am.

I’ve been waiting for change, hoping it crosses my path like it did the day Dash entered my life. I can’t wait for change to come.

Ihave to change.

Nova is right. I need to plan this. I have always wanted freedom, but I know there is no way to escape this life. Even if I run, I will have to hide. But I need to do this, run away, in order to find myself. I need to be alone and figure out who the hell I am.

It terrifies me. I know this will kill Dash, but what about me? I’ve been dying slowly. I need Dash and my father to know I’m not going to be a puppet. I can be like Nova, strong and self-assured.

I’m tired of being dragged. It’s time to stand on my own two feet. I can choose my own path, and if they choose to walk on it beside me, then so be it.

Opening the door to the bedroom, I spot Titan and Nova. The way they look at one another has me edging back. The love Dash and I have for one another is torment personified, but Nova and Titan’s is a raging inferno. His eyes drink her in with such a passion that I feel a blush creep up my face. They both slowly turn as if tearing their eyes off one another is painful.

From the corner of my eye, I look at Nova. She’s going to be my first option, and I know Nova would love to help me escape.But right now, I have to pretend. I’ll be the doll they all think I am. I’ll go along with this; I’ll marry Dash because I love him so desperately!

Sometimes, you love someone so much that you forget to love yourself more. I don’t know if I have ever really loved myself.

It’s time to find out. Once I escape, that is.

I know what Titan expects, so I act the part.“Titan, please talk him out of this,” I beg.

Titan shakes his head.“You know I can’t do that, and this isn’t what you think, Mila. He’s doing this to protect you.”

“I want my father to walk me down the aisle in the church where my mother got married. I want to plan my wedding.”

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