Page 13 of Cage of Destiny
Irritation coursed through her. Sheswung and found her sword on the ground several feet away. Therules she’d learned to fight by didn’t apply here with this strangeman.
“Don’t want to lose yoursword in combat,” he mused, a ghost of a smile flickering on hisface.
“You don’t fightfair.”
“And you expect your enemyto be fair? To wait for you to be ready? To play by a set ofrules?”
Well, no, she didn’t, and when he saidit like that, it made her sound like a naïve child. She rubbed herhead, debating if she should pick up her weapon or not.
Nathenek chuckled. “Again, I can seeexactly what you’re thinking. Your face reveals it all.”
“Then what do you suggest Ido?” she yelled. “Since I can’t wield a sword to your satisfaction,nor can I behave in such a way as you see fit!” She let the tearsflow.
Nathenek lowered his sword,considering her. She spun and kicked his right leg, picked up hersword, and faced him, ready to defend herself.
“NowthatI did not see coming. That wasperfect.”
***
“I want you to be honestwith me,” Nathenek said, setting his mug on the table.
Allyssa took another bite of potatoes,observing him. “With regards to what?”
“What we’re walking into inRussek.” He shoved his plate away and put his elbows on thetable.
She overlooked his lack of manners andconsidered his question. “Besides a volatile civil war, the hatredbetween Kerdan and Jana is palpable.”
“Explain.”
She told him about how Kerdan draggedher out of the dungeon, about to execute her, when he saw how muchJana hated Allyssa. How personal that hatred was. So Kerdan askedfor Allyssa, and the king granted his request.
The muscles in Nathenek’s armsprotruded, radiating tension, although his face revealed nothing.She didn’t particularly want to have this conversation, but it wasnecessary so Nathenek understood how insane Jana was.
“Kerdan and I struck adeal—Odar and I killed Lady Eliza, Princess Shelene, and PrinceSoma for him, and he ensured Odar and I reached Fren.”
No longer hungry, she picked up theplates and put them near the bucket in the kitchen to be cleaned.Having never washed a plate before in her life, she shrugged andsat on the couch.
After a few moments of unbearablesilence, Nathenek joined her on the opposite end of the couch. “Ihave another question for you.”
“Are you sure you want tohear the answer?” Did he want to know about her time in thedungeon?
“What is your… relationshipwith Kerdan?”
“We’re friends. He neverhurt me in any way.”
“Do you know why he hatesJana?”
“He believes she isresponsible for his mother’s death.” Nathenek needed to understandKerdan’s motivations for helping Allyssa so he wouldn’t think therewas more to it. Especially since she’d stayed alone in Kerdan’sprivate room with him. “Kerdan is a good man.” Despite hisreputation.
“You’re justfriends?”
“He did propose tome.”
“What did you tellhim?”
“That I’d have to discussthe matter with my mother and father.” Because she couldn’t rushinto another marriage. She would think with her head and not herheart this time, and she would always put her kingdomfirst.
“Is there anything else Ishould know before we go to Russek?”
