Page 26 of Cage of Darkness
The guards dragged Allyssa down theaisle and out of the Throne Room. The second the door closed behindher, she stood up straight and forced the tears to stop. TheEmperion court contained dozens of people seeking advantage,wanting someone or something. She’d always played the part of thededicated princess. The Russek court was no different. Allyssa wasjust playing a different part in the game this time. And this wasone game she couldn’t lose.
Chapter Eleven
As the days passed, Allyssa tried notto dwell on thoughts of her bloody nails being delivered to theEmperion court with a letter demanding the empress hand over herkingdom in exchange for her daughter’s life, of Odar kissingShelene, or if a squad of Emperion soldiers were trying to findher.
Her body had healed enough from herlast beating to resume her daily exercises. However, when a guardpassed by her cell, she always stilled, not wanting anyone to knowshe was trying to maintain her strength and keep her mindsharp.
While she stretched her legs, thevoices of several men echoed in the hallway outside herdoor.
“Are you sure?” one asked.“This is the maximum-security ward.”
She rolled her eyes. They’d put her inthe maximum-security ward? At least Soma took her seriously enoughto have her in a secure facility.
“Yes. He said all theprisoners,” another responded. “He needs more men for the frontlines.”
Allyssa froze.Front lines?Were theseprisoners being sent to fight in the Russek Army? She leanedagainst the wall, her hands covering her face. If criminals were onthe front lines invading her kingdom, what cruel atrocities wouldthey inflict upon her people? The mere thought made her stomachroll in disgust. She had to do something to stop this madness fromhappening.
“What about the girl?”someone asked. It sounded as if he stopped right outside herdoor.
“No, not her. But gathereveryone else.”
She peered through the small, barredopening in her door. All along the hallway, cells were beingunlocked and prisoners herded out like cattle. Some could barelywalk while others fought with one another as they were taken out ofthe dungeon.
One man pressed his face against thebars in her door. She jumped back before he could grab her. Hiseyes gleamed with malice, and he smiled, revealing brown teeth.“This is mighty interesting,” he purred. “I ain’t seen a woman fora real long time.” A soldier yanked him away from the door,blocking the opening with his body. After several minutes, thesoldier left. The dungeon went absolutely still.
***
Allyssa had just completed a set oftwenty sit-ups when she heard a single set of footsteps echoing inthe hallway. The slow, deliberate steps sent a chill through her,and she stood, fearing the interrogator was on his way. Metaljingled, and the door to her cell flew open, making her flinch. Asoldier strode inside, his presence overpowering the small space.Dark red stains spotted his leather armor, his long, brown hair hadbeen woven into hundreds of strands, and like other Russeksoldiers, black markings covered his stern face.
His black eyes focused on her,scanning her from head to toe. She pushed herself flat against thewall, trying to put as much distance between them aspossible.
“Your name?” he demanded,towering above her.
“Princess Allyssa ofEmperion.” She lifted her chin, feigning confidence as she coweredagainst the wall. “If you’re here to interrogate me, don’t bother.I’d rather die than tell you anything.”
He glanced at her balled fists, so sheforced her fingers to uncurl, revealing her scabbed-overfingertips. He showed no emotion as he focused back on her face.The way he held himself reminded her of Darmik when he prepared togo to battle, whether it be physical or verbal. It was the body ofa warrior. She would never survive his interrogation.
“The king wishes to seeyou,” he said, his voice rumbling deep like the ocean.“Alive.”
Her body prickled with cold fear. Ifthe king was here, did it mean Russek had invaded Emperion? DidKing Drenton intend to kill her or dangle her in front of herparents?
“Let’s go.” His commandgave no room to argue, so she followed him out of the cell andthrough the dungeon, her mind in a fog, trying to figure out hernext move. After they ascended the first flight of stairs, shepaused, lightheaded. The man spun around and grabbed her, pinningher to the wall, the tip of a knife instantaneously at herthroat.
Her temper flared. “Get off me.” Shetried to push him away. He didn’t budge.
“Why did you stop?” He dugthe knife into her skin. The weapon aggravated the recently healedwound on her neck, causing her to wince in pain.
“It has been weeks sinceI’ve had a proper meal. I simply paused to catch mybreath.”
He withdrew the knife, studying her,making her feel naked and vulnerable before him. “If you stopagain, I will kill you.”
When he released her, she rubbed herneck, feeling a trickle of blood. This man was no ordinary soldier.He could be an officer, although he looked a bit young to hold sucha high-ranking position. He couldn’t be older than twenty-two.“Isn’t that what you’re going to do anyway?”
He stilled, not bothering to turnaround to face her. His hands hung loose at his sides, his fingerstwitching to grab a weapon. “What did you say?” he asked with alow, menacing voice.
“Your threat.” Sheswallowed, trying to think of a way to outsmart him so she couldescape. “It doesn’t make sense since your king plans to slaughterme like a pig.” She wiped her bloody fingers off on her filthypants, trying to calm her nerves.
“Are you implying my threatisn’t sufficient motivation to keep you in line?”
