“That much is sure.”
“Eric is so sad right now because he doesn’t let anyone close to him. I know exactly how lucky I am to have you in my life, Alisha. I’m going to let myself believe in Magnus, too. And if anyone wants to question our relationship—fuck them.”
“That’s the spirit.”
Rachelle looked around and realized she’d wandered out of the view of the house. “I’ve got to let you go, Alisha. I think I went back one path too many, and I may be lost now. I’m going to retrace my steps and head back into the reception. Thanks again. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. Text me later when you get back to the house, okay? Just so I won’t worry.”
“Sure thing.”
With that, Rachelle chose a path she hoped led back to the house. Her high heels made the going slower, especially now that she wasn’t distracted from how sore her feet were getting. She looked around, realizing she was alone for the first time in a while. Normally there was a royal guard somewhere nearby. She called out in the hope that one was. “Anyone there? I’ve gotten a little turned around, so if you’re out there, speak up. I need a little direction on how to get back.” A man in a suit with the insignia of the royal guard appeared. “Oh, good. I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be way out here, but I was walking and talking—then, poof, I was lost. You know how that happens.”
The man nodded as if to someone behind her, and she quickly followed his gaze. Another royal guard stepped out of the bushes. Then another. None of these three looked familiar, now that she saw them all together. The hair on the back of her neck rose, and she fumbled to dial Magnus on her phone.
The first man grabbed her phone and threw it in the woods. The other two grabbed her from behind. Duct tape was slapped over her mouth before she had a chance to scream. More was used to expertly secure her hands and legs together. The first man threw her over his shoulder. With tears born from fear, she tried to meet the eyes of the other men, plead with them not to do whatever they were about to, but they did just as Magnus had said they were trained to—they looked away.
She fought the best she could but only succeeded in dislodging her shoes. As if she were nothing more than a rug, the man deposited her in the back of a black SUV flanked by two other guards. They secured her with lap belts so tightly she could barely breathe. A lone driver got in and slammed the door behind him. He touched an earpiece and said, “The bird is in the cage and ready for delivery.”
As the car pulled away, Rachelle prayed for her life. The bird is in the cage? This was planned. By the royal guard? Why? I thought they liked me.
If they even are the royal guard. They could be the people Reggie saw following me. Oh, God, was he right? They’re going to ransom me?
I should have stayed where everyone else was. Magnus told me to be more careful, but I didn’t listen. I didn’t think something like this could actually happen.
She thought about all the things she had put off doing, everything that would be left undone. She didn’t want to die without telling Magnus she loved him. She wanted to tell Delinda she forgave her. She didn’t want to be the reason Eric gave up hope.
This isn’t how it ends for me. It can’t be.
It can’t be.
Magnus checked his watch. Rachelle had been gone long enough that he was concerned. He certainly didn’t want to intrude on whatever conversation she was having with Delinda, but his instincts told him it was time to check on her.
He had just stepped out of the reception area when he spotted Delinda sitting in a side room with a cup of tea in hand. He strode and looked around. “Where’s Rachelle?” He hoped she hadn’t upset her.
“I haven’t seen her,” Delinda said quietly.
“She told me she was coming to find you.”
Delinda put her tea aside. “Well, she did not. I was not feeling well, so your father suggested I rest in here. Had she asked, she could easily have found me. Evidently something more important came up.”
Magnus called to Phillip, who was out in the hallway. “Phillip, where is Rachelle?”
Instantly on alert, Phillip radioed that question to his men.
Magnus took out his phone and called her. No answer. He saw one missed call from her about twenty minutes earlier. Was she angry? Upset? Scared? She hadn’t seemed any of those things.
Phillip said, “She was seen going into the kitchen a while ago.”
“A while? How long is a while ago? A minute? Thirty minutes?”
Delinda joined them. “Is something wrong?”
Magnus walked away from her because he wanted to keep his focus on the only thing that mattered. “Phillip, I want her found, and I want her found now. Search the palace room by room. Sweep the garden. We have security tapes—have someone review them. Now.”
“She might simply be talking with someone and ignoring her phone, but we will find her.”
Magnus began his own search, uncaring that Delinda called out for him to stop so she could join him. If she was offended by his indifference, she could voice her complaint later. Phillip was right—Rachelle might simply be distracted by a conversation with someone. They’d all laugh about this later and agree Delinda was best left out of a search that wasn’t even necessary.
The problem was, his gut was churning. He trusted his instincts, and they were screaming something wasn’t right.
Phillip found him as he was about to enter the kitchen. “Magnus.”
One look at Phillip’s face and he knew it was serious. He braced himself for the worst. “You found her?”
“No, but we have video of her being taken from the party. She didn’t go willingly.”
“What do you mean, taken?” Magnus’s hands fisted at his sides.
“We have a motion-activated clip of video from the south path. She encountered a man in a suit with the royal guard emblem, but I didn’t recognize him. I sent men, Magnus, but I doubt she’s still there. It looked planned. He had her bound by two others with what looked like duct tape.”
“Oh my God.” Magnus could have given in to the rage nipping at his heels. He could have asked Phillip how this was possible when so many were supposed to be watching her, but he didn’t. It was a conversation that could wait for later. Right now what mattered was finding her. “Notify the police. I want a close perimeter and a wide one secured now. Get helicopters up in the air. How long ago was the video taken?”
“Thirty minutes.”
“A car can travel outside the city in that time.”
“Yes.”
“Do we know what they might be driving? If they were driving? Do we fucking know anything besides what you just told me?”
“Not yet, but we will.” Phillip radioed the police while Magnus barked orders to the guards in the palace. One was for the royal household to keep all guests in the reception area—no matter what.
His father came to his side. “Magnus, is it true? Has someone taken Rachelle?”
Magnus nodded once.
“Do we know who was involved?”
“Not yet. Go back to the guests, Father. I’ll handle this.”
King Tadeas put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I am a father first and a king second. My place is with you. This is one fight you won’t face alone.”
“How can it be faced at all when the enemy is still unknown?”
Delinda joined them. “Has something happened to Rachelle? I have to know.”
Magnus and his father exchanged a long look. Would telling her help, or would she impede the search?
To Delinda he said, “Your granddaughter is in great danger. Do you know anyone who would want to harm her?”
“No.”