Page 49 of Cage of Darkness
“Yes.” They just needed hisparents’ approval and the marriage ceremony could take place. Thatwas, if they made it out of Russek alive. She reached up andtouched his cheek. Her dark hand next to his lighter skin; herfingertips still ugly and scabbed over. “Let’s discuss theplan.”
He shook his head. “It’s fine. We’llmake it work.”
“Then what did you want totalk about?”
Lowering his voice, he said, “You knownot to trust Prince Kerdan, don’t you?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ve beenstaying with him for days. He has aided me more than once. There isnothing to be concerned about.”
“That’s not what I meant,”he said. “I fear he is using you to do his dirty work.”
“Heisusing me.” Kerdan wanted her tokill the royal family, and she needed him to get her out of Russekand to stop the war. Their agreement was born of necessity. A pureand simple negotiation where they both got what theywanted.
“I think there’s more to itthan that.” Odar ran his hands through his dark hair. “I mean, whyyou? He could pull this off without your help. There are dozens ofways he could kill Jana and keep his hands clean.”
“If something goes wrong,he can blame me, the princess of Russek’s enemy staying right herein the castle. It is the perfect cover story.” It was what shewould do in his situation. She wasn’t stupid. She knew the risksand felt they were worth it.
He leaned back on the couch, staringup at the ceiling. “We’re overlooking something.”
“He just wants them dead,”she said, unable to reveal Kerdan’s hatred for Jana, his suspicionthat Jana killed his mother in order to take the throne. Allyssahad promised secrecy in that room and intended to keep thatpromise.
“And once we dispose ofthem, then what?”
“The war ends. He promisedme he would stop it.” Jana wanted Emperion, not the king. He wasonly invading to appease her.
“They’ve already conqueredMelenia. Do you honestly think Jana’s death will end the war? Andif so, what about Kricok, Landania, and Fia?”
“Those kingdoms now fallunder the Emperion Empire. I don’t know what will happen toMelenia.” And Russek had only taken Melenia to gain soldiers toensure they had an advantage when they attacked Emperion. Jana wasthe problem, and if they removed her, the problem would beresolved.
Odar said, “You claim this is allabout revenge.”
“It is. Jana will stop atnothing to see my family destroyed.”
“I agree. But…what ifthere’s more to it than that? What if the king and Kerdan haveanother agenda?”
Why did Odar have to overthink this?Or had he heard something, seen something that fueled hissuspicions? “Kerdan hasn’t indicated anything else is going on tome.”
“Promise me something.” Shenodded. “Don’t let your guard down or trust anyone here. You can’tbe swayed by how…nicePrince Kerdan is treating you. He is a captain in the RussekArmy and is just as ruthless as his father. Don’t underestimatehim.”
On the exterior, Kerdan appeared everybit as bloodthirsty as the king. However, he was a good man on theinside who would one day be a great leader. He wore masks—just likeshe did. Just like Odar did. “I understand your concern. But it’snot necessary.”
“You’re wrong. We’re ameans to an end. Puppets in this performance.”
“If that’s what it takes toget us out of Russek and stop the war, then so be it.”
“Sometimes, you’re tooquick to act and reckless.”
Allyssa stiffened. She hadn’t made thebargain with Kerdan without thinking it through. She wasn’t a fool.“You don’t have to participate in the plan. Go back to Shelene andplay the doting fiancé.”
He ignored her outburst, as if hehadn’t heard a word of it. “And you’re loyal beyond belief. You’dwalk through fire for those you love.”
“Your point?” she snapped.Once they married, would all their conversations be so heated andexhausting?
He reached up, cupping her cheek.“Both Prince Kerdan and Soma know I care for you. What if they usethat against us? All either one has to do is put a knife to yourthroat, and I’m powerless.”
Allyssa understood hisfear—she had it too. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do forOdar, her parents, or her kingdom. That was how love worked. Sheknew her heart couldn’t stay locked in a cage, shielded fromeverything. “It’s not like you can stop loving me just to protectme,” she whispered. “Love doesn’t work that way.” He closed hiseyes. “Odar?” she asked, wondering what he was thinking. Hewasn’t…afraid…tolove her, was he?
“I should go.” He abruptlystood and went to the door, leaving her feeling cold and alone. Asif she was indeed missing something.
