Chapter 102: silence
Aurora slipped through the palace corridors like a ghost. The halls were quiet at this hour—most servants asleep, torches burning low, shadows long on the stone walls. She had waited until the moon climbed high, until the guards changed shifts, until the night felt safe enough to move. Her heart beat too loud in her ears. Every step felt like betrayal, yet she could not stop herself.
Hardin had been in the cells for three days.
Three days since the flogging.
Three days since she watched two hundred lashes tear his back open while he made no sound.
Three days since the king sentenced him to rot without healer, without mercy, without visitors.
She had tried to see him the first night. The cell guard had turned her away—orders from the prince. Kairo’s orders. Even from afar, he controlled everything.
But tonight the guard on duty was new. Young. Nervous. She had smiled at him, spoken softly, asked for “just a moment to check on the prisoner.” He had let her pass. She did not know if he would regret it later. She did not care.
The cells were cold. Damp. The air smelled of rust, sweat, and old blood. Torches flickered in iron brackets. She walked past empty bars until she reached the last one.
Hardin sat on the stone floor, back against the wall. Shirt gone. Bandages wrapped loosely around his torso—stained red in places. His head rested on his knees. He did not move when her shadow fell across the bars.
Aurora knelt. Whispered his name.
“Hardin.”
He lifted his head slowly.
His face was bruised. One eye swollen. Lip split. But his eyes—those eyes—still looked at her the same way. Like she was the only light in the dark.
“Rhianna,” he said. Voice rough. Weak. But warm.
She reached through the bars. Her fingers brushed his hand.
He caught them. Held tight.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he said.
Aurora said, “I had to see you.”
Hardin smiled—small, pained. “I’m a mess.”
Aurora’s eyes filled. “They hurt you because of me.”
Hardin shook his head. “They hurt me because someone wanted me gone. Framed. Out of the way. You know who.”
Aurora looked down. “Who is this person”
Hardin said, “I don’t know….someone who hates me for loving you. Doesn’t matter. I’m here. You’re safe. Are you okay? That’s enough.”
Aurora’s tears fell. “It’s not enough. You’re in chains. Bleeding. Because you came for me.”
Hardin squeezed her hand. “I would do it again. A thousand times.”
Aurora whispered, “I remember more now. Pieces. You as a boy. Giving me a flower. Protecting me. Always protecting me.”
Hardin’s eyes softened. “Good. Keep remembering. The rest will come.”
Aurora said, “I’m scared.”
Hardin said, “I know. But you’re strong. Stronger than you think.”
Aurora leaned her forehead against the bars. “I don’t want to marry him. Not anymore.”
Hardin was quiet for a long moment.
Then he said, “Then don’t.”
Aurora looked at him. “It’s not that simple.”
Hardin said, “It can be. When you’re ready. When you remember everything. When you know what you want.”
Aurora said, “I want you.”
The words came out soft. True.
Hardin’s breath caught.
He reached through the bars. Touched her cheek. Wiped a tear.
“I want you too,” he said. “Always have.”
They stayed like that. Hands linked through iron. Foreheads touching bars. Silence between them full of everything they could not say yet.
Aurora whispered, “I’ll find a way. To get you out. To fix this.”
Hardin said, “Don’t risk yourself. Wait. Kairo will be back soon. The wedding is close. Things will change.”
Aurora said, “I don’t want to wait.”
Hardin smiled. Weak. “You never did.”
Aurora kissed his fingers through the bars.
Then she stood. “I have to go. Before someone sees.”
Hardin said, “Be careful. I love you.”
Aurora said, “I love you too.”
She turned. Walked away.
Tears fell as she climbed the stairs.
She reached the main hall.
And froze.
Kairo stood there.
Armor dirty. Shoulder bandaged. Face tired. But alive.
He was back.
The wedding was in three days.
Kairo saw her. Smiled. Walked to her.
“Aurora.”
Aurora stared. “You’re back.”
Kairo said, “I promised I would be.”
He pulled her into his arms.
Aurora let him.
But her body felt stiff.
Her heart felt heavy.
Kairo said, “We won. The hunters are dead or captured. The village is safe. I brought prisoners for questioning.”
Aurora said, “Good.”
Kairo pulled back. Looked at her face. “You’re crying.”
Aurora wiped her cheeks. “I was worried. I’m glad you’re safe.”
Kairo said, “Three days. Then we marry. Everything is ready. The dress. The hall. The vows. The full moon is perfect.”
Aurora nodded. “Yes.”
Kairo kissed her forehead. “I missed you.”
Aurora said, “I missed you too.”
The words were true.
But they felt hollow.
Kairo said, “Come. Walk with me. Tell me everything I missed.”
Aurora walked with him.
She told him about the fittings. The music. The flowers.
But she did not tell him about Hardin.
She did not tell him about the kiss.
She did not tell him about the memories.
She did not tell him that her heart was breaking in two.
Kairo talked about the battle. The hunters. The silver. The prisoners.
He said, “We will question them tomorrow. Find who sent them.”
Aurora nodded.
But she already knew.
The past was coming back.
And it was hungry.
The wedding was in three days.
Kairo was back.
Hardin was in chains.
And Aurora was not happy.
She did not say it.
She smiled.
She held his hand.
She walked beside him.
But inside, she was screaming.
She was lost.
She was remembering.
She was choosing.
And time was running out.