Page 27 of Cage of Destiny
“Is he a good enough friendto marry?”
Considering that question meantthinking about the future, something she’d beenavoiding.
Darmik glanced over his shoulder ather. “Didn’t I just chide Odar for living in fear?”
Her facial expressions always gave herthoughts away. Especially to her father, who knew her so well.Taking a deep breath, she allowed herself to consider thepossibility of marrying Kerdan. She certainly enjoyed talking tohim, she trusted him, he made her feel like an equal, and he was anintelligent man. All things she valued and admired. Was sheattracted to him?
Someone knocked on the door, and Necostepped into the room. “Kerdan is leaving with his squad to do somescouting. I’m going with them.”
“Has trouble been spotted?”Darmik asked.
“There is a lot of movementat Jontis. He wants to see what’s going on.”
“Fine.” When Neco left,Darmik turned to Allyssa. “I want to speak with Nathenek to makesure he’s staying here. Security will need to be heightened nowthat you’ve arrived. We’ll finish this discussiontonight.”
***
Allyssa sat on the window seat, gazingoutside the duke’s home. The barn was situated next to thevegetable garden, both surrounded by vibrant green pastures. Herroom was quaint and cozy with a single bed, armoire, andfireplace.
Much to her chagrin, Darmik hadbrought a few things for Allyssa to wear. One of the servants hadhung the clothes in the small dressing closet. If only her fatherhad enough sense to bring Madelin and Mayra with him. Although theywere safer in Emperion, she missed her friends dearly. And Marek.She still needed to apologize to him for sending him away thatfateful day Soma kidnapped her.
A knock resounded through the room.“Enter,” she called out.
Nathenek poked his head in. “How areyou?”
“Fine.” Always fine. Shewished everyone would stop asking her that question.
“Did your father bring youup to speed?”
“You mean did he tell meyou tricked me into coming here?”
“Trickis a strong word to use,” he mused. “And I half thought youfigured it out. Anyway, they have a training room here. Want tospar?”
Did he even need to ask that question?“Of course.”
Nathenek led the way along the narrowhall, down the wide carpet-lined staircase, and to an empty roomsituated toward the back of the house. There weren’t any windows.Instead, the walls were lined with wooden practice swords, spears,and targets.
“Not much of a trainingroom,” she commented.
Nathenek removed two wooden swords,handing one to her. She took it, feeling its weight. “In the northcorner of this room is a hidden door. Pushing the third spear fromthe bottom will open it. It leads to an underground tunnel thatwill take you to the forest.”
“Why are you telling methis?”
He readjusted his grip and took a stepaway from her. “You need to always have a contingency plan inplace. Haven’t you learned anything from your time withme?”
If the duke’s home wasn’tsafe, her father would never allow her to remain here. She flewonto her back.What the bloodyhell?
Nathenek laughed. “You are easilydistracted. Focus.”
Clamoring to her feet, she prepared toattack. And found Nathenek’s arm wrapped around her upper body, hissword against her neck.
“If someone attempts tokidnap you, you need to be able to defend yourself,” hesaid.
Why did he constantly treat her likean inept child? She slammed her foot on top of his, trying to breakhis hold. He didn’t even budge.
“You have a sword. Useit.”
Her arms were pinned down so shecouldn’t swing the weapon. Although, she could drop it. Angling thetip of the sword toward the ground, she let it go. It hit the topof his foot.
