Chapter 85
Hardin and his three men stayed hidden in the thick trees near the palace wall. The morning sun came up slowly. The village woke up. People walked to the market. Guards changed shifts at the palace gate. Hardin watched everything. His eyes never left the tall stone walls.
Garrick spoke low. “We can’t just walk in. The guards are many. They check everyone.”
Theo said, “We need to be inside. To get close to her.”
Jax asked, “How?”
Hardin looked at the gate. New guards arrived. Four young men. They wore the palace uniform – dark green with silver lines. The old guards talked to them. Then the old ones left. The new ones took their place.
Hardin said, “We become them.”
Garrick turned. “You mean kill them?”
Hardin shook his head. “No. Too much noise. Too much blood. We take their place quietly.”
They waited. The new guards walked around the wall. They talked and laughed. One of them went to the side to pee. Another went to get water.
Hardin whispered, “Now.”
They moved fast and silent. Hardin grabbed the one who went to pee. A hand over his mouth. A quick hit to the neck. The guard fell asleep. Not dead.
Garrick and Theo took the other two. Jax watched the gate.
They dragged the guards into the trees. Took their uniforms. Tied them with rope. Gagged them so they could not shout.
Hardin put on the uniform. It fit well. The green cloth felt heavy. The silver lines shone in the sun.
He looked at his men. “We are palace guards now. We walk in. We watch. We wait for her.”
They walked to the gate. The other guards looked at them.
One guard said, “New shift?”
Hardin nodded. “Yes.”
The guard looked at them. Then waved them in. “Go. The captain is inside. He will tell you your post.”
They walked through the gate. The palace yard was big. Flowers everywhere. Fountains. Paths made of stone. Guards stood at doors. Servants carried trays.
Hardin felt strange. He was inside. Close to Rhianna. His heart beat fast.
They found the captain. A big man with short hair.
The captain looked at them. “New guards?”
Hardin said, “Yes, sir.”
The captain pointed. “You two at the east wing. You two at the garden gate. Stay sharp. The prince is out today.”
Hardin and Garrick went to the garden gate. Theo and Jax went to the east wing.
Hardin stood tall. He watched the palace windows. He waited.
Hours passed. The sun went high. Guards changed. People walked. Hardin did not move.
Then he saw her.
Rhianna came out from a door. She wore a light blue dress. Her dark hair was loose. She smiled. She walked in the garden.
The prince walked beside her. Prince Kairo. Tall. Gold hair. He said something. Rhianna laughed.
Hardin felt like someone hit him in the chest.
She looked happy. Healthy. Beautiful. Alive.
But she was with him. The prince. Talking. Smiling. Close.
Hardin’s hands made fists. The uniform felt tight.
She did not see him. She did not know him.
The prince took her hand. They walked slow. They talked. She laughed again.
Hardin wanted to run to her. To say her name. To take her away.
But he could not. Not yet.
Garrick stood beside him. He whispered, “That’s her.”
Hardin nodded. “Yes.”
They watched.
Rhianna and the prince sat on a bench. They talked more. She touched the flower in her hair. The same kind from yesterday.
The prince looked at her like she was special.
Hardin felt jealousy burn inside him.
She looked so different. Not weak. Not sick. Strong. Happy.
But not with him.
The prince stood. He offered his arm. Rhianna took it. They walked back inside.
Hardin watched until the door closed.
He turned to Garrick. “She is alive. And well.”
Garrick said, “She does not remember us.”
Hardin said, “Not yet.”
They stood quiet. The sun moved. The day went on.
Hardin thought, “I saw you, Rhianna. You are here. I will find a way to talk to you. I will make you remember.”
The cliffhanger stayed in the air.
He saw her alive.
She smiled with the prince.
But she did not know Hardin was there.
Watching.
Waiting.