Page 41 of Cage of Darkness
Odar scrambled to his knees, trying tocatch his breath. “Don’t touch her,” he pleaded, his voicecracking, tears in his eyes. She had never seen him sovulnerable.
The prince chuckled.“So,sheis yourweak spot.”
Odar slowly got to his feet, his handsfisted at his sides.
“Enough,” she said. “I amnobody’s weak spot.” She craned her neck back, staring at Kerdan.“Let go.”
He released her. “Make sureyourfrienddoesn’t attack me again.”
“Of course.” She focused onOdar, trying to ignore the towering man behind her. “Stand down,and give me a chance to explain.”
A mask of calm washed over Odar’sface, instantly transforming him into the cold man she’d first metin Emperion masquerading as Jarvik. She felt, rather than saw,Kerdan tense behind her. Unable to have the necessary conversationwith the prince watching her every move, she turned to him and saidgently, “Can I have a moment alone with Prince Odar?”
“That’s why I brought himhere,” Kerdan replied, rubbing his jaw. “Although you should havewarned me of his jealous nature beforehand. I could have avoidedthis unnecessary bruise.”
“What’s going on?” Odardemanded, looking from Allyssa to the prince and backagain.
Kerdan moved to the door. “You havefifteen minutes,” he said. “Don’t let anyone in the room. When it’stime for Odar to go, I’ll return to escort him back.” Withoutwaiting for an answer, he left.
They were finally alone. For the firsttime since Odar entered the room, she allowed herself to study him.Dark circles encased his eyes, and his clothes hung on him,indicating he had lost weight.
“Just tell me,” Odar groundout. “I want to know what the bastard did to you. Don’t even thinkof trying to spare my feelings.”
“Spareyourfeelings?” she asked, appalledby his comment. “What aboutmyfeelings?” He had the gall to look confused. Shewalked right up to him and slapped his face, the sound of herhitting him loud in the quiet room.
“What was thatfor?”
Tears filled her eyes. “Do you haveany idea what I’ve been through? I’ve been in the bloody damneddungeon while you’ve been doing who knows what with Shelene!” Shehadn’t meant to yell at him like that, but she couldn’t helpit.
He held up both his hands. “Let meexplain.”
She wiped the tears from her face. “Iknow you don’t care for her.” The look of relief on his face wasapparent. “I know you did it to save yourself from being thrown inthe dungeon.” Her voice cracked. She didn’t want to talk about whatshe went through, what was done to her, all the while he ate anddrank with the people who tortured her.
“I did it for you, not me.I hoped to have access to information and ensure you weren’texecuted. However, Jana doesn’t fully trust me, so I couldn’t helpyou as much as I anticipated.”
“It doesn’t matternow.”
He wrapped his arms around her,holding her tightly against his body. “I’m so sorry,” he mumbledinto her hair. “I had no idea this would happen. I’ll never forgivemyself.”
“It’s not your fault.” Shetilted her face to his neck, feeling the warmth of hisskin.
His hand stroked her hair. “When theprince came for me, I had no idea he was bringing me to seeyou.”
“I asked him to.” And he’dlistened. He brought Odar here for her.
“The thought of himtouching you makes me sick.” There was a sharp edge to hisvoice.
She pulled away to see his face.“Prince Kerdan has fed and clothed me. That is all.” He needed tobelieve the truth of her words.
“He hasn’t…forced you to doanything against your will?”
“No.” Although Kerdanallowed everyone to believe that was the case.
“Why are you in hisbedchamber if not to…service his desires?”
Allyssa’s face turned red. At first,she too had mistakenly assumed that was why he’d brought her here.“I’m here so he can ensure my safety.”
Odar’s eyes narrowed.“Explain.”
