Page 17 of Cage of Destiny
“It gets easier,” Natheneksaid. “We’ve all had to do awful things to survive.”
She nodded, pretending to understand.Did the people he killed haunt him? Her hands started shaking soshe clutched onto the fabric of her shirt, trying to hold ittogether. There was no doubt Soma deserved to die. The world was abetter place without him. So why did she feel such regret? AndShelene. Even though Allyssa hadn’t been the one to physically killher, she was also responsible for her death.
“Are you packed and readyto leave tomorrow?”
“Yes.” They stood insilence, lost in their own thoughts.
“There’s something I’vebeen meaning to ask you.” He scratched behind his ear, and Allyssahad the fleeting thought that he was nervous. “What sort of man isPrince Kerdan? Can you tell me a little bit about him, hispersonality, what to expect when we see him?”
“He is first and foremost amilitary man.” She chuckled, remembering the times they ate alonein his bedchamber. The soup running down his chin, him wiping hismouth with his sleeve. “He is rarely at the castle in Clovek.Instead, he prefers to sleep at the military compound. He is notvery princely. He can come off as a little cold and harsh. But hehas a good heart and is a steadfast, loyal man. Don’t let his brashmanners fool you.”
“Your mother delivered theletter from Prince Kerdan?”
Allyssa nodded.
“And it wassealed?”
“Yes. Why do youask?”
“Have you seen his sealbefore?”
“No, but I know what theRussek crest looks like.” Now that she thought about it, she didn’tremember even looking at the seal before she tore itopen.
“What about hishandwriting?” Nathenek asked.
There were maps in Kerdan’s officewith notes written all over them. But she couldn’t recall havingseen a letter or anything more than scribbles here andthere.
“Let me ask you somethingelse,” he said. “Does the prince usually speak so formally withyou?”
Kerdan and Allyssa had always beenrather informal around one another. “Are you implying that theletter came from someone else?” Her heartbeat sped up with thepossibility.
“Since you first showed methe letter, something hasn’t felt right. The timing, the languageused, and the fact that it urges you to go to the border town ofJontis.”
Her skin tingled. “Now that you’reforcing me to look at it analytically, you have a point.” Kerdanwouldn’t want her stepping foot in Russek. He’d handle thesituation without involving her. “What do you think?”
“That Jana set atrap.”
“Bloody hell.” She kicked asmall rock, sending it flying into the air and off the cliff. “Ishould have known. Kerdan even told me how to get in touch with himvia the Womek estate in Russek.” She’d been so wrapped up in herown emotions that she’d failed to see what was right in front ofher.
“Are you up for anadventure?”
“That depends on yourdefinition of adventure.” If Jana had sent the letter, had she sentone to Odar as well? Or was she only concerned with destroyingAllyssa?
“I want to set a trap ofour own.” He raised his eyebrows, awaiting her answer.
“Are you suggesting we lureJana to us?”
“Yes, and then we killher.” The sun had disappeared behind the ocean, casting a blood-redglow over the sky.
The last time Allyssa chose to spare amurderer’s life, the consequences were catastrophic. If she hadjust been strong enough to kill Soma that first night in the cavelike Odar wanted, she would have never been taken into Russek. Hertime there had taught her that some people were too dangerous to beleft alive.
“Why are you willing tohelp me?”
“I swore to protect yourmother and brother. I will do whatever is necessary to accomplishthat.”
“Then we have a deal.” Sheturned and headed toward the house.
“Wrong,” Nathenek said. “Wehave a partnership.”
