Page 34 of Cage of Destiny
She couldn’t help but smile. “I loveyou too, Father.”
They went to the main entryway of thehouse. A dozen Russek soldiers, shoes caked with mud, tunicssoaking wet, and weapons strapped to their waists and backs, werespeaking to Kerdan.
Allyssa squeezed her father’s arm,searching the faces until she found the one she was looking for. Hestood almost a head shorter than the Russek soldiers, but Odar’spiercing eyes were already focused on her.
“Prince Odar,” Darmik said.“Welcome.”
Kerdan slapped Odar on the back.“Come, we have a lot to discuss.” He entered the sitting room tothe right.
Neco led the soldiers to the dininghall where food was being brought for them. Darmik and Allyssaentered the sitting room. Dark wood paneling covered the ceiling,several paintings hung on the walls, and the fire had not been lit.Kerdan threw a few logs into the hearth. Once he got the fire totake, Allyssa grabbed a candle and lit it. She walked around theperimeter of the room, lighting the sconces on the walls to givethe room some more light. She felt, rather than saw, Odar watchingher.
In the center of the room, two couchesand two sets of chairs were situated around a low table. She headedtoward the couch where her father sat when Neco joined them, takingthe spot. Allyssa was about to sit on one of the chairs when Kerdancame to her, his hand on the small of her back, and led her to theother couch. They sat, leaving a fair amount of space betweenthem.
Still standing, Odar glared at thefour of them. “I’ve had enough kidnapping from Russek brutes tolast a lifetime. Tell me why I’m here.” He gave off the air of ahaughty prince, yet he looked like an ordinary traveler. No hint ofwealth or status to him.
“I’m assuming you receivedthe letter Jana sent,” Darmik stated. He leaned back on the couchand crossed his legs, looking calm and collected. Neco alsoappeared to be at ease. As if they were talking about going out fora leisurely stroll around the property and not the fate ofkingdoms.
“I did.” Odar stood withhis feet shoulder-width apart, his hands clasped behind his back.Had he known Allyssa would be here today? Did her presence doanything to him? Jana had lured Allyssa here claiming Odar neededher. What had Jana said to get the prince here?
“Who did your letter claimto be from?” Allyssa asked. She doubted it was signed with Kerdan’sname like hers was.
“You.”
Her breath caught with the intensityof his gaze. “Me?”
“You said you were introuble and needed my help.”
And he’d left Fren, the comfort of hishome, for her. “Did you know the letter was fake?”
“Of course.”
His words were like a knife stabbingher heart. “Then why did you come?”
Kerdan stood and moved behind thecouch. Whenever he had something to work out, he became restless.Allyssa twisted around to see him. “What are you thinking?” sheasked. He shook his head. She turned back to Odar. “What exactlydid your letter say?”
“That you regretted yourinappropriate relationship with Kerdan and wanted to apologize. Youclaimed you had to see me to discuss a matter of the utmostimportance—something no one else could know about, or yourreputation would be ruined.” His gaze traveled from her to Kerdanand back again.
Allyssa curled her fingers,making two fists.Of all thenerve. She wanted to strangle Jana.“Obviously you knew the letter didn’t come from me since it wasfilled with lies.” Lies that implied she had slept with Kerdan andwas possibly pregnant. Why did Jana think that would be enough toentice Odar to meet her?
Odar took three gigantic steps andabruptly sat on one of the chairs.
Kerdan started pacing about the room.“What is Jana trying to accomplish?” he mumbled. Allyssa was aboutto say that Jana obviously wanted them to meet in the town ofJontis, but Kerdan continued, “Interesting move to try to pit usagainst one another.”
Darmik smiled. “Glad to see youworking it out. What else can you conclude?”
If her father had already solved themystery, why hadn’t he said anything sooner? Not for the firsttime, she wondered where Nathenek was. Then it dawned on her.“You’re insane,” she said to Darmik.
“It’s logical,” hereplied.
“What am I missing?” Odarasked.
Kerdan snorted. “Emperor Darmikintends for us to walk into Jana’s trap. Don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Wait,” Odar said. “Youintend to use Allyssa and me as bait?”
“More or less.”
