Page 27 of Cage of Darkness
“No, I’m saying it’simpractical. King Drenton wouldn’t condone you killing me here inthe dungeon. You should have threatened to chop off my hand. Atleast, that’s what I would have done.”
With his back still facing her, shecouldn’t see his expression and had no way to read him. She justneeded him to lower his guard so she could make a run forit.
“I don’t know what gameyou’re playing,” he finally answered, “but I will figure it out.”He spun around, pinning her against the wall again, a dagger in hisright hand. He poked her bicep, sliding the dagger down her arm andslicing her sleeve open. A thin line of blood swelled on her arm.The dagger hovered at her wrist. “I suppose this hand isn’tnecessary.”
The blood drained from her face. Shehadn’t intended for this to happen. All she wanted was to distracthim so she could sneak by him. “Release me,” she snarled, trying tosquirm out of his grasp. His hard, unyielding body remained pressedagainst hers. She couldn’t even knee his groin.
“If you speak one more timeor step out of line, I’ll chop off your right hand. Does thisthreat make sense to you, or do I need to demonstrate?” She shookher head, realizing she’d pushed him too far. “Very good.” Hereleased her, sheathed his dagger, and resumed walking. He knew shewas no match for him in her current condition. There was nothing todo but follow him up another flight of stairs. Maybe once theyentered the main section of the castle, she could make a run forit. Hide somewhere until she could escape.
She was mildly curious to meet theking, wondering if he simply wanted to see her to verify heridentity and presence. Or did he intend to do something with her?They came to an iron door guarded by two sentries, and Allyssathanked the stars she didn’t try to escape earlier since she neverwould have made it past these two men. The soldier at her sidepulled out a ring of keys, unlocking the door. Both sentries leanedaway from him, rigid as a sword stuck in the ground. When the dooropened, the soldier tossed the keys to one of the sentries, yankingher out of the dungeon and into a dimly lit hallway void of people.He resumed walking, his footsteps echoing. Slowly following him,she searched for a door, not seeing a single one.
He glanced over his shoulder at her.“This exit leads from the dungeon to the garrison. There is nowherefor you to go.”
Sweat beaded on her skin, and shebecame dizzy, her nerves reacting to the situation while her braintried to block out the intense fear her body felt. They came to adead end. He pushed one of the stones, which caused a section ofthe wall to swing open like a door. The soldier pulled her intoanother hallway, this one brightly lit and lined with severaldoors. He came to one guarded by four well-armed sentries andentered, dragging her in behind him. The door slammed shut, asentry blocking it with his bulky body.
Allyssa found herself in an enormousroom. The ceiling, covered with wooden arched beams, towered fourstories above her. Gargantuous chandeliers with hundreds of candleslit the room in a soft light. Banners displaying the royal family’screst hung on the walls. The soldier, still holding onto her,stalked down the center of the forty-foot room to a large fireplacewith several chairs and sofas situated in front of it. A squad ofsoldiers dressed in plain armor stood around the perimeter of theroom. Each step Allyssa took brought her closer to the king andyet, she couldn’t make her legs stop. Some innate part of her urgedher on.
When they reached the sitting area,the soldier released her and said, “Your Majesty, may I presentPrincess Allyssa of Emperion.” He moved to the edge of the roomnear the other soldiers.
King Drenton was standing next to thefireplace, a heavy black fur cloak upon his shoulders, whichmatched his black hair. He turned to Allyssa, a red hue to hischeeks. Although he didn’t have any marks on his face like hissoldiers, he did sport a neatly trimmed beard. Queen Jana wassitting on a winged chair, a goblet in her hand. Prince Somalounged on a chaise across from the queen, staring at the ceiling.On the sofa, Princess Shelene and Prince Odar sat next to oneanother.
“Come closer,” the kingsaid, tossing a pair of gloves on the low table. He must have justarrived home. Although she hated to listen to this man, she movedbetween the chairs to stand before him. He folded his arms acrosshis broad chest, observing her. “The queen tells me her son broughtyou here.”
Interesting that he didn’t use Soma’sname, nor did he refer to him as his stepson. The fire crackled,all eyes on her. “He overtook my carriage as I journeyed acrossEmperion. He kidnapped and drugged me with a paralyzingsubstance.”
King Drenton’s eyes narrowed. “Andwhat about Prince Odar?”
“He was accompanying me inthe carriage.”
“Why?”
Was King Drenton trying to verifyOdar’s story to assure he wasn’t lying and his engagement toShelene could proceed? Allyssa almost laughed. Almost. Once theking had what he wanted from her, he would either kill her or useher against her parents. She dared not look at Odar. “I wastraveling with Prince Odar, his squire, and three guards.” Shefolded her arms across her chest, imitating King Drenton’sstance.
“I didn’t askwhoyou were travelingwith, butwhyyouwere with the prince.” Although he spoke in a pleasant manner,there was a subtle undertone of fury just below thesurface.
If she didn’t cooperate, he wouldsnap, and she had no desire to see this man’s temper right now. “Iwas on my way to obtain the king and queen of Fren’s permission tomarry their son. Only, I didn’t know the prince and his squire hadswitched places, deceiving me.” Her words were clipped, angry. Itwas imperative the king believed everything she said.
“Did you sign the marriagecontract?”
“Yes.”
“And did the real PrinceOdar sign it as well?”
Russek could not learn that she waslegally engaged to Odar—that he’d signed the contract as himselfand not as his squire. She shook her head. “Jarvik signed it.” Thetruth. Only, he’d signed as the witness.
The king held out his hand to hiswife. She gracefully rose and took it. “It appears all you’ve saidis true,” he said to her.
“Of course it is,” shecooed. “I would never lie to you.” She kissed the corner of hismouth.
“I hereby approve of themarriage.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,”Shelene said, smirking at Allyssa.
Keep your face blank.Don’t show any emotion.
Hands slid over her shoulders, makingher jump. “What are our plans for the princess?” Soma asked frombehind her. She hadn’t even noticed him move from the chaise. Justhis nearness made her skin crawl.
“Wife, what did you intendto do with her?”
