Page 16 of Cage of Darkness
“It doesn’t matter howbeautiful she is; she will not marry well because she’s abastard-born child with no claim to any throne.”
Allyssa tried to keep track ofeverything these soldiers said in case she could use thisinformation later.
“I wish we’d get thisbloody war over with so I can go home. I don’t know why the king isso hell-bent on invading Emperion. It doesn’t feel right,” thehigh-pitched guard mumbled. Allyssa strained to hearthem.
“I think this war isbecause of Queen Jana,” the giant whispered. “Emperion threw hersorry arse out of their kingdom, and now she wants payback. Theking is doing it for her.”
“I’m sure the war won’tlast long. Not with Prince Kerdan on our side. He’s the best we’veever had.”
“Are you awake?” Odarwhispered, startling her.
“Yes.” She rolled over tofind him kneeling on the ground next to her cot. “Have you beenlistening to the soldiers outside?” she whispered, hoping theycouldn’t hear her.
“I have.”
“What do you know of PrinceKerdan?” Allyssa had met King Drenton years ago, but had never methis son. Nor had she studied anything about him.
“He’s a military man,always training with his army, and he’s rarely atcourt.”
“Even though he is heir tothe throne?”
“Yes.”
Since Prince Kerdan was so focused onthe army and fighting, his men must reflect his thirst for battle.“Do you think Soma will hand us over to him?” The thought of beingused against her parents to win the war made her sick.
“No,” Odar whispered as heclimbed onto the cot next to her. “Soma has kept our identitiesquiet for a reason. I believe we’ll leave at first light beforeKerdan even knows we’re here. Soma is taking us to Jana andShelene, of that I am certain.”
If the queen and her daughter weregoing behind the king’s back, perhaps there was hope. “Do you thinkwe might find sympathy in King Drenton or his son?” Maybe theycould incite an internal conflict, taking the focus off conqueringEmperion.
“King Drenton may not knowwhat’s going on behind his back, and he might be furious with Janafor doing this. However, he has still murdered thousands ofinnocent people. He could never be sympathetic to our cause. Hestarted this war, and I believe he’ll finish it or dietrying.”
The gruesome memory of those severedheads on spikes was seared into her mind. Odar traced his fingeralong Allyssa’s face from her forehead down her cheek, across herjaw, and over her lips.
“I’m scared,” sheadmitted.
“I won’t let anythinghappen to you.”
He couldn’t make or keep such apromise when they were at the mercy of a sadistic madman. “Let’stry to escape,” she whispered. The giant was still speaking quietlyto the guard on the other side of the tent flap. If they were goingto leave, it had to be now.
Odar ran his hand over her hair,gently stroking it. “It’s not possible. As soon as the soldierstepped outside, I lifted the edge of the tent and found guardsposted around the perimeter of it. Besides, we are in the middle ofour enemy’s camp in Russek. If we’re caught, we’d bekilled.”
They were running out of options. “Ithink we should risk it.” They were probably going to be killedonce Soma delivered them to Jana. And if she didn’t kill themoutright, Allyssa would rather be dead than used as leverageagainst her parents.
“I promised your father I’dprotect you, and that’s what I’m going to do. I won’t risk youdying.”
“Some things are worse thandeath.”
“I know,” he mumbled. “Butonce we arrive at court, we’ll have access to servants and workerswho might be willing to smuggle us out in exchange for immunity.There are options—don’t give up hope.” She didn’t share hisoptimism. “Just remember that I love you—no matter what happens.”His lips gently brushed hers. She closed her eyes, breathing in thesmell of him. His hand squeezed hers. “I better move back to my owncot.”
“Stay.” The warmth from hisbody comforted her.
“If Soma finds us together,he’ll know the depth of my feelings for you.”
She chuckled, thinking of how she usedto loathe this man.
“What?” heasked.
“I’m just remembering whenwe first met and how far we’ve come.”
