Page 46 of Cage of Darkness
“Yes, isshe…here?”
“If byhere,you mean alive, then yes, sheis alive and well. I’m sorry to tell you your son failed. Again.He’s not much of an assassin, is he?” The pleasure in Kerdan’svoice was palpable.
The queen shoved him aside and sweptinto the room. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of Allyssa inKerdan’s bed, her upper lip curling in disgust. Knowing shecouldn’t appear weak, Allyssa summoned every ounce of energy shehad and threw the blankets off her body. She slid out of the bed,trying not to wince at the pain in her abdomen as she did so. Herfeet hit the floor, and she glanced down at her bare legs,realizing she wore one of Kerdan’s large shirts and nothing else.Her face flushed.
“This is what you’ve beendoing?” Jana said to him. “You’ve turned her into your own personalharlot?”
Allyssa came and stood awkwardly nextto him. She couldn’t hide under the sheets now.
“I’m sure Rema will bepleased to learn you’ve been reduced to this.” Her hand swept overAllyssa’s body.
It took sheer willpower to remainupright. “I am not a harlot,” she ground out, understanding herreputation was ruined. Odar’s parents would never sanction a unionbetween their kingdoms if they believed she’d slept with Kerdan.Could the situation get any worse?
“As much as I enjoy seeingyou lowered to a common wench, I’m here because I need information.Why does Fren believe that Prince Odar is dead?” The queen tiltedher head to the side, waiting for a response.
Allyssa stood there, refusing to uttera single word.
“Answer me!” Jana shouted,making her jump.
“I’m sorry,” Allyssa said,trying to keep her voice pleasant. “If you are speaking to me, youwill address me by my name and title.”
The queen wrinkled her nose indisgust. “You do not deserve the title you bear.”
“Neither do you.” Allyssafolded her arms over her chest, trying to maintain some sense ofdignity while dressed in the flimsy white shirt.
“Tell me why Fren believestheir prince is dead, or return to the dungeon.”
“I’ve been a prisoner inRussek for weeks. I cannot presume to know what is going onthroughout the continent.”
Kerdan went to his dressing closet andreturned with a long fur robe, draping it over Allyssa’s shoulders.She hadn’t realized she was shaking from her lack of clothing untilthe warmth of the robe enveloped her. The prince kissed the top ofher head, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. She forced herbody to relax and not flinch from his touch. Why hadn’t he put ashirt on?
The queen’s eyes narrowed, watchingthe two of them. “I don’t know what game you’re playing,” she said,her voice barely above a whisper and sharp as a blade. “But Iassure you, you cannot fool me, nor can you win.”
“I have no idea what you’retalking about,” the prince said, his fingers digging into Allyssa’sshoulder.
She had the distinct impression thathe was using her to restrain himself from killing the queen.Reaching up, she patted his hand, trying to comfort him. As much asthey might want to kill Jana right now, they couldn’t withoutserious repercussions. There had to be a squad of soldiers on theother side of the door ready to pounce.
“The only explanation I cancome up with for Fren believing that Prince Odar is dead is ifsomeone survived the attack,” Jana explained. “So tell me, didanyone survive?”
Allyssa held her chin high, refusingto be intimidated by her aunt. Marek, the sole survivor, didn’tknow that Odar and Jarvik had switched places. Her father, on theother hand, did. What an interesting move on Darmik’s part to allowthe deceit to continue. She would have to think on the matter inmore detail when the queen wasn’t watching her. “I saw your sonshoot an arrow into the back of every man present the day hekidnapped Odar and me.”
Jana clenched her hands together, herknuckles turning white.
“Anything else?” Kerdanasked. “Because if you’re done here, I have some unfinishedbusiness.” He pulled Allyssa’s body against his. This was not partof their deal, and she would speak to him about it later. But fornow, she went along with the ruse.
A cold and devious smile similar toSoma’s slid over the queen’s face, turning her features harsh. “Iwill go and speak with the king. I’m not sure how he will feelabout his son sleeping with the enemy. It might be time for theharlot to return to the dungeon.”
“Don’t waste your time. Myfather gave her to me. She’s mine.”
“He assumed she was a spoilof war and would be treated as such. She seems far too comfortableand at ease in your bedchamber.”
“You mean because I enjoythe prince’s company?” Holy hell, she couldn’t believe she justsaid that out loud.
The queen raised her hand to strikeAllyssa, but Kerdan caught her arm mid-swing. “Don’t,” he said, alethalness to his voice. “You need to leave. Now.”
“You can’t tell me what Ican or cannot do,” Jana said, yanking her arm out of his grip andadjusting the sleeve of her dress. “I am the queen. I outrankyou.”
“No, you don’t,” heanswered. “I am next in line to the Russek throne, notyou.”
