Page 29 of Cage of Darkness
Picking up the dropped sword, sheswung the weapon, getting a feel for its weight. The second soldierlaughed, but such misconceptions weren’t new to her. He lunged, andshe swung, easily deflecting his blow. Not having time to waste,she went on the offensive, attacking her opponent with speed andprecision. Her muscles protested, and the effort of remaining onher feet nearly did her in. Still, she forged on, refusing to giveup.
The soldier chuckled. “I didn’t thinkprincesses learned how to wield a sword.”
Barmy.Pretending there was someone behind him, she gasped. When hetook a peek over his shoulder, she slammed the hilt of her swordagainst his head. There was a sickening crunch, and he collapsed tothe ground, unconscious.
She dropped the sword and sprinted thelast few feet to the door. When she reached for the handle, PrinceKerdan materialized out of the shadows, blocking the way, a coldsmile on his vicious face. She turned to her right, heading for adifferent exit. He latched onto her hair, yanking her backwardagainst his armored body and ending all hope she had of escaping.His large hand wrapped around her neck, squeezing it. She clawed athis arm, but he didn’t even flinch. He lifted her off the ground asif she weighed nothing.
“Father,” Prince Kerdancalled out, “this really is too much.” He laughed, the soundrumbling in his chest. Stars filled her vision—she neededair.
Odar’s face lost all color as theprince brought her forward, holding her dangling a couple of feetabove the ground. At the sitting area, he released her, and shetumbled to the ground, gasping for precious air. She had neverfeared for her life like she did at that moment, crumpled on theground next to the prince’s black boots, inhaling ragged breaths inan attempt to fill her starved lungs.
The king folded his arms. “Is thereany particular reason she is still alive?”
“I’ve changed my mind,Father.”
As she knelt on the ground, Allyssawas certain she’d misheard him.
“While you allowed her torun halfway across the room in a pathetic attempt to escape, youchanged your mind? Explain yourself.”
“I want her,” Prince Kerdanstated.
The queen’s head snapped up.“What?”
“This doesn’t concern you,”he said. Focusing on his father, he continued, “I want PrincessAllyssa. I find her willpower entertaining and think she willprovide plenty of amusement after spending long hours on thebattlefield.”
Amusement?As in a jester or a whore?
“She is a prisoner ofwar—not a plaything,” Jana said, slamming her goblet on thetable.
“Yet, you had herinterrogated and tortured in the dungeon,” the prince replied.“Sounds like you got to play with her.”
“She is but a piece oftrash.” Jana’s shoulders rose and fell in quick successions. “Herparents murdered my father and threw my mother off the throne.Allyssa deserves to be executed.”
“I don’t care what herparents did to your family.” Prince Kerdan shrugged. “She justfought two of my soldiers. I’m not going to allow her to die beforeI’ve enjoyed her tenacity.”
Still on the ground, afraidto move, Allyssa wished she could melt into the stone flooring anddisappear. This could not be happening. She wanted to crawl over toOdar, latch on to his legs, and beg him to save her. When sheclosed her eyes, her father’s voice filled her head.Never let them see your fear—it will only givethem fuel. Always remember, you are the leader of your own destiny.You can save yourself.
She forced herself to stand on shakinglegs, almost losing her balance. “I am not a piece of property thatcan be bartered away. It is not up to you to decide if I shouldlive or die.” She pointedly looked at the king and queen. “Or foryou to possess me.” She forced herself to glance at the prince. “Ibelong to no one.”
Kerdan chuckled. “You see, Father, sheis far too amusing. Do not deny me this request.”
“Let’s return her to thedungeon,” Odar suggested. “She may be of use later.”
The king smiled. “Even though you aremarrying Princess Shelene, you have no say here in Russek.” Heturned and motioned for two soldiers to approach. “Escort PrincessShelene, Prince Odar, and Prince Soma to the Dining Hall. The queenand I will be along shortly.”
The two soldiers stood on either sideof Odar, hands clasped on the hilts of their swords.
“Is there a problem?” theking asked him.
Allyssa felt Kerdan tense behind her,preparing to fight. There was no reason for Odar to be injured orthrown in the dungeon on her account. Nothing he said or did couldhelp her now.
“You best hurry along,” shesaid with as much disdain as she could muster. “Because if I haveto look at you much longer, I’m going to lose my lastmeal.”
He closed his eyes a brief secondbefore leaving the room.
“Does that mean I can haveher?” Kerdan asked.
“She is a prisoner,” thequeen said to the king. “You cannot allow her to be holed up withyour son. I forbid it.”
