Page 26 of Cage of Destiny
This conversation was moreuncomfortable than she anticipated. Being in such an intimatesetting didn’t help. She would have preferred to discuss the matterwith her mother, stew on it for a couple of days, and then come toa decision.
“From a strategic point ofview,” Darmik said, “the union makes sense. It solves a lot ofproblems. However, given the fact that Russek kidnapped mydaughter, I’m not sure I want to hand her over to you. I know youweren’t responsible for the kidnapping or subsequent torture.” Herfather’s eyes flashed with a fury she’d never witnessed before.“However, you will be the king of Russek. Will Allyssa be welcomedby your people? Treated as a sovereign? Respected?”
She folded her arms. “Am I the crownheir of Emperion or not?” she asked. When they discussed marriagenegotiations with Odar, not once had anyone said a word about hergoing to Fren. She assumed the same was true with Kerdan, and shewould live in Emperion.
“You will once again be thecrown heir after we announce you’re alive,” he replied. “However,we have options. If you choose to marry Kerdan, you can live inRussek and lead the kingdom as its queen. Savenek can step into theposition as emperor of Emperion. Although, I’m not sure he wants toor is ready. Like I said, there are options.”
“I will do what is best forEmperion.” What she wanted did not matter because things couldalways change faster than a sandstorm. Odar had proventhat.
“I understand,” Darmiksaid. “But the point of this discussion is to ascertain what it isyou want. Same with Kerdan.” He faced the prince. “If you have anyspecific requirements—for instance, living together or apart—weneed to know that now.” He turned toward Allyssa again. “I’d liketo hear your thoughts on the marriage; otherwise, none of us candecide what is best for Emperion.”
Kerdan cleared his throat. “I made theoffer of marriage to Allyssa not only seeking Emperion’s supportand backing, but also because I think she will make an excellentqueen to the Russek people. However, with that said, it will not beeasy. Even if, when, I establish myself as the king, we are facingtough times ahead of us. There’s rampant poverty. Many hate Janaand will be happy to see her go. However, there will be some whohave the money to make a bid for the crown.” He looked right intoher eyes, making her breath hitch. “I’ve only known Allyssa for ashort while, but during that time, I’ve discovered how strong andresilient she is. If anyone can rule Russek effectively, it’sher.”
She had no idea he held her in suchhigh regard. Her face warmed, and she had to look away from hisintense stare.
“And you feel the need tomarry now?” Darmik asked.
The prince rubbed the back of hisneck. “Yes. That way we can be crowned at the sametime.”
“The last time I thought wehad a good match, it turned out to break my daughter’sheart.”
She couldn’t believe her father hadjust said that, no matter how true it may be. If only she couldcrawl under the chair and hide from Kerdan’s scrutiny. But why didshe care?
“I understand,” the princesaid. “But this time, your daughter’s heart is notinvolved.”
Darmik sighed, turning to Allyssa.“Well? What do you want to do?”
“Can I have some time tothink on the matter?” She couldn’t decide right then and there ifshe wanted to marry Kerdan. There was so much toconsider.
“While I am more thanwilling to give you time to think, there are two reasons for makinga quick decision. One, it will send a clear message to Jana and thepeople of Russek that Emperion is backing Kerdan. And two, Odarwill be here soon and I’d like to have this matter settled beforehe sees you.”
“Whatever for?” she asked.Odar had nothing to do with this.
“Kerdan, may I please havea moment alone with my daughter?”
“Of course.” He stood. “Iwill be with Brookfel and your men. I’d like to start going oversome ideas on how we can kill Jana.”
Darmik nodded. After Kerdan left theroom, her father’s shoulders hunched forward and he rubbed histemples. “You seem to be okay, but occasionally, your eyes widen asif you’re lost and they flash with a darkness that wasn’t therebefore.”
“I’m not ready to talkabout it,” she whispered. Her father’s fury and pain would breakher fragile heart. Right now, she wanted to focus on the tasks athand—killing Jana, deciding if she could marry Kerdan, and seeingOdar again. Everything else could be dealt with later.
He scooted his chair closer to hers.“I’m furious with Odar,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I trustedhim, and he violated that trust by breaking off themarriage.”
She was about to explain Odar’sreasoning when Darmik held up his hand, stopping her. “Don’t makeexcuses or justify his behavior. Neco told me everything. Iunderstand that what the two of you went through was a great ordealand he is afraid you’ll be used against him. However, life doesn’twork that way. You can’t live in fear of your future, of what mayor may not come to pass. There is nothing that could have kept meaway from your mother. Nothing.”
“Not even your belovedEmperion?” she asked, trying to reconcile duty, love, andkingdom.
“You can’t live lifewithout love.”
Blinking, she willed away tears. Ifthere was no life without love, what did that mean in regard toKerdan? She needed time to think this through. “Why do you want meto decide before Odar arrives?”
“He needs to understand theramifications of his actions. He will not change his mind, win youback, or hurt you again. While Emperion will work with him to killJana, that is all he or Fren can ever hope to have from us again.Honestly, I’d prefer to not work with him now. However, events arealready set in motion, and we must play the cards we are dealt.” Hescooted to the edge of his seat. “You do not have to marry Kerdan.There are many other suitable matches. We do not need Russekpolitically, financially, or militarily. At first, I wasn’t goingto even consider you marrying him. After I met him, I began torealize there are some advantages to such a match. Now that I’veseen the two of you together, I understand.”
“What do you mean?” Thefire crackled.
Darmik smiled and patted her hands.“You don’t know?” She shook her head, having no idea what he wasreferring to. He stood and moved closer to the hearth, placing hishands against the wooden mantle, his back to her. “I can see thetwo of you working well together,” he finally answered. “Do youconsider him a friend?”
“Yes.” Without hesitationor reservation. Kerdan had done so much for her that she had cometo respect and value him.
