Page 35 of Cage of Destiny
They needed to get close to Jana tokill her. Allowing the queen to capture them was one way to do it.But what if something went wrong? Allyssa bent over, resting herelbows on her legs. She gripped her head with her hands, trying towork through this plan.
Odar got up and moved next to her,rubbing her back. “Are you all right?” he asked.
She was fine; she just needed to thinkabout the idea of being captured on purpose. Odar touching her,however, made her tense up.
“You do not get to careabout my daughter,” Darmik said, standing. “You lost thatprivilege.”
Odar removed his hand and apologized,but Allyssa didn’t hear anything he said because all she couldthink about was needing space from Odar. How could the two of themwork together? Especially in a life-and-death situation? She nolonger trusted him. When he’d touched her, her body hadn’tresponded the way it used to.
Strong hands gripped her shoulders.She blinked, trying to focus on what was going on around her. Odarand her father were arguing over the plan.
“I won’t let anythinghappen to her,” Odar said.
“That’s what I’m countingon,” Darmik replied.
“You’d honestly put yourdaughter’s life in jeopardy?”
“It already is. What Ipropose will ensure her safety.”
“Get your bloody hands offher,” Odar abruptly said, startling Allyssa.
She glanced up and saw him staring atKerdan, his face contorted with rage. Kerdan’s hands squeezed hershoulders tighter, clearly using her to restrain himself. Shepatted his arm in reassurance and stood, trying to be strong.Kerdan’s steadfast presence had grounded her.
“Father, why don’t you tellus the plan so we fully understand what part each of us plays andhow this will work?” The idea of them joining together to go afterJana was rather appealing—especially if she got toparticipate.
Brookfel came into the room.“Captain,” he said to Kerdan. “I need to speak with you.Immediately.”
“Can we put thisconversation on hold until I return?” Kerdan asked.
“Of course,” Darmik said.“I’m sure Odar could use something to eat. We’ll be in the dininghall.”
As everyone headed for the door, Odarsaid, “I need a moment of the princess’s time.”
“I’m sorry,” Darmikreplied, pausing at the door. “That’s not possible. You lost thatright when you ended the engagement.”
Odar bristled. “Do you want my help ornot?”
“I expect your assistance.It’s the very least you can do considering how callously yousevered the marriage contract. Not only that, but Jana will comefor you and your family. No one is safe until she is gone. I thinkyou already know that.” Neco whispered something in Darmik’s earand then left. “Now that you are engaged, your fiancée is also indanger. I assume you want to protect her as well.”
It felt as if Allyssa had been kickedin the chest. Odar was engaged to another woman? So soon? Shecouldn’t breathe. The bastard wouldn’t even look at her.
Kerdan came to stand before Allyssa.“I need to go,” he said so only she could hear. “If it’s anyconsolation, I never liked the guy.”
She glanced up into his intense eyesblazing with anger while a smug smile washed over his face.“Sometimes, I wish I was like you,” she whispered. “I wish I couldput on a mask and hide my emotions. I wish I could be strong evenwhen cowering inside.”
His eyes widened in shock, the angerin them instantaneously gone, replaced by an emotion she didn’trecognize. “Sometimes, I wish I was more like you,” he whisperedback to her. “I wish I could show my feelings more readily.” Hetook a deep breath, his shoulders rising and falling. “This is meattempting to do that.” He leaned down, quickly kissing herforehead. She closed her eyes, breathing in the smell of him,shocked by his display of affection. “Now it’s your turn.” Taking astep away from her, he bowed and left the room in a hurry, not oncelooking Darmik’s way.
Walking over to her father, she pausedby Odar. His face had an odd hue to it, as if he’d eaten somethingfoul and had become sick from it. “Congratulations on yourengagement,” she said to him, her voice strong and articulate,surprising her.
She could have sworn he whispered hername, but she took her father’s arm and they left theroom.
***
Nathenek returned late that morningcovered in mud. He went with Darmik and Neco into a private roomwhere they spoke for over an hour. Allyssa tried more than once toenter, but they wouldn’t let her.
Tired of lurking in the corridor,unable to hear anything they said through the thick wooden door,she went to her room and sat by the window, gazing outside. A shortwhile later, Kerdan returned with a group of his men. She watchedhim bark out orders, pointing in various directions, before cominginto the house. His heavy footsteps pounded on the stairs. Allyssajumped off her seat and rushed to the hallway.
“Not now,” he said. Heattempted to go around her, but she stepped in his path, refusingto let him pass. “Allyssa,” he whispered. “I need to change.” Hehad on heavy leather armor. The bottom half of his pants werecovered with mud, his shirt dripping with water.
