Page 55 of Cage of Destiny
“He did.” She quicklyexplained that his parents would have continued to rule Fren untiltheir deaths. At that time, a regent would have been appointed torule while Odar remained in Emperion with Allyssa.
“I assume you would like tostay there with your parents?” he asked.
“I don’t ascend to thethrone until I’m thirty, so there is some flexibility.” Granted,she was a princess and had duties, needed to be involved in thepolitics of the land, and to continue to learn how to be anempress.
“I wouldn’t mind livingwith a loving family. It might be a pleasant change.” His voice wasgruff as he admitted that.
“I… I don’t want to ruleEmperion alone. I’d like a partner. But that means you’d have tolearn the politics of our land as well.”
“That doesn’t scare me,” hereplied. “I know there will be a lot to learn. Especially aboutyour ridiculous, backward customs.” He grinned at her, and shepunched his arm. “As long as there is time for the two of us totake a hunting trip now and then—so you can show me your killeraim—then I am sure we can make it work.”
***
They walked all day. Notonce had Odar bothered to say a word to her. After she’d spokenwith Kerdan, she dropped back to see how Odar was doing. He ignoredher, not even answering her questions. His silence was maddening. AsimpleHow are you?would have been nice. Something. Anything to prove he was aman with feelings. A little nagging voice in her head asked why shecared. Perhaps it was simply hard to admit that she had lovedsomeone who could behave so callously. His actions proved howlittle she knew him.
“What’s wrong?” Nathenekasked, startling her.
“Oh, nothing. I’m justthinking. Not much else to do.” She tried to smile.
“Maybe that will cheer youup.” He pointed ahead of them.
Allyssa looked up and sawher father and Neco not far away. She took off running.
Darmik smiled. When shereached him, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly.“About time,” he said. “I was beginning to wonder what was takingso long.”
“Are you okay?” Neco askedwhen her father released her.
“Fine.”
Kerdan, Nathenek, and Odarjoined them.
“Where are your men?”Darmik asked Kerdan. When Kerdan whistled, Hurit and Larek emergedfrom the forest, joining them. “Where are the rest ofthem?”
“These are the only men Ihad on the mission,” Kerdan replied.
Darmik stilled. “Only two?I thought there were a dozen.”
Kerdan took a deep breath,standing tall—even taller than her father. “Originally, I plannedto have twelve men. Upon further examination, I decided it wasbetter to have only a couple of men embedded in a squad loyal toJana. I thought the chance of success would be higher.”
Darmik’s eyes narrowed, andAllyssa could feel her father’s fury rising. Biting her bottom lip,she wasn’t sure if she should warn Kerdan or laugh at the lecturethat was sure to come. She’d been on the receiving end of herfather’s lectures far too many times. “I, too, had assumed I wouldbe with a squad of your men. Not only two.”
“Does it matter?” Kerdanasked. “It’s all said and done now.” He cocked his head to theside, observing her.
“My daughter’s life was inthe hands of Russeks loyal to Jana. I only agreed to this plan withthe intention she would be safe at all times.” Darmik took amenacing step toward Kerdan, his face contorting withrage.
Allyssa glanced at Odar,who leaned against a tree, his ankles crossed, a smile on his lipsas he watched the spectacle play out before him. He was enjoyingthis far too much.
“She was safe,” Kerdaninsisted. “I had two of my best men with her.”
Neco reached toward herfather, withdrawing the sword strapped around Darmik’s waist andthe dagger in his boot. Neco tossed the weapons to Nathenek, whocaught them with ease. Surely such precautions weren’t necessary.Her father wouldn’t attack Kerdan, would he?
“Two men,” Darmik repeated,his voice almost a growl. “Two.”
“The number doesn’t matterso long as they are competent,” Kerdan replied. “And Allyssa ishere, safe and sound.”
“The issue is that you liedto me.”
“No, I didn’t. I said Iwould have my men protecting her, and I did.”
