He had abandoned his hiding place during the commotion after Pratt had fallen from the tree. Working his way deeper into the woods, he had stumbled onto a worn path, the ground packed hard enough to hide his footprints. He took advantage of the level ground to quicken his pace. The sound of voices and rustling branches filtered toward him.

He passed several small trees, a fallen log his newest objective. He reached his intended hiding place and looked behind him. The path remained empty, but the voices grew louder. He stepped over the log and crouched down. A quick glance in the other direction revealed a small clearing, a stone gazebo in the center of it.

A guard passed into view on the far side of the clearing, and Julien ducked down. Movement on the other side of him sent his heart racing. He was surrounded with no place to go.

As soon as the guard on the other side of the clearing disappeared into the woods, Julien hurried back onto the trail and rushed to the side of the gazebo. Squatting down, he listened once again for his pursuers.

One approached, following nearly the same path Julien had taken a moment ago. He climbed the steps of the gazebo, and Julien pressed himself against the side so he would be invisible beneath the small stone ledge above him.

Shoes against stone gave away the guard’s position. Julien trod softly, timing his steps to match the other man’s. When the guard descended the stairs, it took Julien a moment to determine which direction he had gone. The guard was nearly upon him when Julien realized the man was circling the gazebo.

His pulse hammering, Julien once again timed his footsteps to match the guard’s and made his way around the gazebo, the guard close enough behind him for Julien to hear but far enough for Julien to remain unseen.

Julien reached the steps of the gazebo and climbed up them, keeping his body bent over to stay out of sight.

Someone called out. “Do you see anything?”

“Nothing,” the guard nearest him said.

Julien scooted onto the floor of the gazebo, rolling against the side so he wouldn’t be seen in case anyone walked by the entrance.

“Where else do we need to look?” the first guard asked.

“Circle down the path again. I’ll have Paciano and Arturo take the trail by the cliffs. Anything beyond the stables will be picked up by the motion detectors.”

“I’ll meet you back at the guard house. Don’t forget to check in with Darius as soon as you’re done.”

“Yes, sir.”

Julien lay motionless for several more minutes, his breathing shallow and quiet. Motion detectors by the stables. That explained why he’d been found so quickly. The question now was, How would he find the princess again and get off the grounds without being seen?

He lay his head back against the stone floor. He’d take another few minutes to ensure he remained unnoticed. Before long, the search would end, and he could plan his next move.