Elara took Rubin’s hand, pulling him to the garden. Elara stopped her motion, her head tilted down as she let go of Rubin’s hand.

“What’s wrong?” Rubin asked, walking in front of her to get a better view. There in front of his very eyes lied an angel. The angel prince to be exact. Prince Himu, belonging to the kingdom of Celestara. He lied there, his hand on his side with blood staining his white shirt.

“Why are you here” Rubin said, his tone low. He gestured for Elara to go get someone. Just as she turned, Himu was gone from Rubin’s sight.

“I’m sorry princess, but I can’t have anyone knowing I’m here” A voice behind Rubin said, Rubin snapped around to see Elara on the floor, knocked out.

“Is she-..is she dead..?” Rubin asked, Himu looked up at her.

“Not dead, unconscious” Himu corrected, walking up closer to Rubin which only resulted in Rubin retreating a few steps back. “I can’t have you telling anyone either, at least not until I can get out of this kingdom” Rubin backed up into a bush, falling into it as Himu bent down to look him in the eyes.

“Why are you on Drakos soil” Rubin questioned, his face showed anger, his eyes showed fear which cause Himu to back up a bit.

Himu sighed, pressing a hand against his wound as he took a shaky breath. “I didn’t come here to fight,” he said, his silver eyes dim with exhaustion. “I had no choice.”

Rubin, still tangled in the bush, didn’t trust those words. Celestara and Drakos had been at odds for generations. An angel prince crossing into dragon territory was an act that could ignite war. “Then why are you bleeding all over our land?”

Himu chuckled weakly. “Because someone wants me dead.”

Rubin hesitated. He had heard rumors of political unrest in Celestara, whispers of betrayal within the royal family. “Who?”

Before Himu could answer, the rustling of leaves made both of them freeze. Footsteps—heavy ones—approached from the palace gates.

“They’re looking for me,” Himu whispered. He turned his gaze to Rubin, his expression pleading. “If they find me, I’m as good as dead.”

Rubin clenched his fists. Everything in him screamed not to trust an enemy prince. And yet, something in Himu’s eyes—desperation, fear—made him hesitate.

Elara groaned softly, stirring on the ground. She would wake soon. The footsteps were getting closer.

Rubin took a deep breath, making his choice. “Follow me.”

Himu’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t waste time questioning it. With a nod, he followed Rubin into the shadows of the garden, just as the guards stepped into view.

Rubin led Himu deeper into the garden, weaving between thick hedges and towering statues. The scent of damp earth and night-blooming flowers clung to the air as they moved swiftly, staying low to avoid detection. The sound of armored boots crunching against gravel made Rubin’s heart pound. If the Drakos guards found them hiding an angel prince, there would be no explaining their way out of it.

Himu stumbled slightly, gripping his wounded side. A muffled groan escaped his lips, and Rubin turned sharply. “Keep quiet,” he whispered harshly, gripping the prince’s arm to steady him. “If they hear you, we’re both dead.”

Himu nodded, his breathing ragged, but he pushed forward.

Behind them, Elara stirred, her voice faint. “Rubin…?”

Rubin bit his lip. They couldn’t wait for her. He would come back for her once Himu was hidden. For now, the prince’s life—and maybe their own—depended on getting out of sight.

They reached the farthest edge of the garden, where an old stone archway led into the overgrown ruins of an abandoned courtyard. No one came here anymore—it was considered cursed land, the remnants of a battle long forgotten. The perfect place to hide.

Rubin helped Himu sit against a crumbling wall, kneeling beside him. “Talk. Why are you here? Why are your own people hunting you?”

Himu exhaled, pressing his hand against his wound. “Because I was supposed to die today.” His voice was laced with bitterness. “My father—King Solen—he’s been waiting for an excuse to get rid of me. And he finally found one.”

Rubin frowned. “That doesn’t make sense. Why would a king want his own son dead?”

Himu gave a hollow laugh. “Because I’m not the son he wanted. I don’t agree with his war-hungry ways. I believe in peace between Celestara and Drakos, and that makes me a threat.” He let his head rest against the cold stone. “So, he arranged my assassination. Made it look like an accident. But I survived… barely.”

Rubin stared at him, trying to piece everything together. If Himu was telling the truth, then this was bigger than just an injured enemy prince trespassing on Drakos land. This was a political disaster waiting to happen.

Before Rubin could ask another question, a sharp sound broke the stillness. A branch snapping.

Someone was watching them.

Rubin shot to his feet, eyes scanning the darkened ruins. The shadows stretched and twisted, but there—just beyond the archway—stood a figure cloaked in black.

And they weren’t alone.

More figures emerged, surrounding them, their weapons glinting under the moonlight.

Himu cursed under his breath. “They found me.”

Rubin reached for the dagger at his waist, his pulse quickening. He had saved Himu once. But now, it looked like they would both have to fight to survive.