Page 55 of Cage of Darkness
“I don’t have manyfriends,” he said, his voice low, barely audible. “But I consideryou to be my friend.”
Her heart pounded from his admission.This rough military man considered her a friend? “Why?” she asked,curious. They barely knew one another, and she did not consider himto be a friend. Not like she did Marek or Mayra. Ally definitely,but not a friend.
“Because I understand you.You make sense to me.”
Allyssa had no idea how to respond, soshe said, “I’m going to bathe and ready myself for tonight.”Without waiting for a reply, she hurried to the bathing room andclosed the door.
ChapterTwenty
Dressed as a soldier with her hairhidden beneath a cap and black swirls painted on her face, Allyssastrode through the castle alongside another soldier of similarheight and build. Four pairs of soldiers walked in front of her andthree behind while Kerdan stood at the lead.
The goal was for Allyssa to blend inand be inconspicuous, so these soldiers had not been told heridentity. However, they probably knew who she was. Trying not tolook around too much as they marched along, she noted eachstairwell, where sentries were stationed, and the maincorridors.
Kerdan planned it so they would arrivejust as everyone took their seats. He had explained that standardprocedure in Russek dictated that soldiers guarding members of theroyal family stand around the perimeter of the room. Allyssa knewwhat to expect and what to do once they arrived. When the doorsswung open to admit them, she entered the small, intimate room,surprised the dinner would take place here instead of a ballroom.One large table dominated the space, and soldiers stood shoulder toshoulder against the walls.
Kerdan took a seat on his father’sleft. Allyssa fell in line with the soldiers against the wall tothe side of the prince. It afforded her the opportunity to openlyobserve his facial expressions. He had assured her that neither ofhis parents would even think of looking at the guards so theywouldn’t notice her. Regardless, she stood stiff as a board,sweating. If discovered, she would be killed on sight or thrown inthe dungeon. She refused to go back to that horrid place as aprisoner. Taking a deep breath, she observed the rest of theroom.
The queen sat on the king’s right,elegantly dressed in a gown the color of blood. Next to her satSoma, Shelene on his other side donning an elaborate green dress,and Odar was seated next to the princess, holding her hand.Allyssa’s fingers itched to tear their hands apart.
The rest of the rectangular tableconsisted of about two dozen noble families situated around it. Themen had on thick tunics, many accented with furs. The women worehigh-necked dresses with long sleeves, some with furs wrappedaround their shoulders. Her attention drifted once again to Kerdan.He looked handsome and intimidating in his light gray tunic alongwith metal bracers on his arms and a long sword strapped to hiswaist. His hair had been pulled back and tied at the base of hisneck. Even without a crown atop his head—he’d told her it was toocumbersome—he exuded a regal air and commanded the attention ofeveryone there.
Servants brought out plates of food,and conversation filled the room. None of the guards spoke normoved from their position against the wall. Shelene laughed, hervoice floating delicately in the air. What did Odar say that theprincess found so amusing?
The king tapped his knife against hisgoblet, garnering everyone’s attention. “Thank you all for comingthis evening,” he said. “Lord Ambrek,” he waved his hand toward thegentleman across from him, “leaves tomorrow with a convoy for Frencarrying the signed marriage treaty between Prince Odar andPrincess Shelene. Once Fren sends the required troops, the marriageceremony will take place.” Everyone pounded on the table inapproval.
Allyssa tried not to roll her eyes.Even if Odar was sincere and cared for Shelene, his parents wouldnever approve of the marriage. Which was probably why King Drentoninsisted they send soldiers before the ceremony took place. Hewasn’t convinced of Odar’s motives. It was a good thing they’d beleaving soon.
Odar smiled, seemingly pleased by thenews. He took Shelene’s hand, kissing the top of it. Several womensighed, and a few of the men pounded on the table louder. Anotherthought occurred to her—did the king and queen of Fren stillbelieve their son was dead? How would they react when Russek’semissary arrived with news of an engagement?
The king raised his hands, and thosegathered quieted down. “I’d also like to announce that Russek’sarmy has reached the Emperion border.”
Allyssa swayed on her feet. Thesoldier standing next to her shoved his shoulder against her,keeping her upright and still.
“We have control over Fiaand are establishing it in Landania as I speak.”
Fia and Landania had joined theEmperion Empire. That meant her kingdom had already startedfighting. Was Prince Zek of Fia alive, or had he beenkilled?
“Our beloved queen took itupon herself to send word to Empress Rema and Emperor Darmik ofEmperion that we captured—and killed—their daughter, PrincessAllyssa.”
Allyssa wanted to see the queen bleed,to wipe that smug expression off her hateful face. Her fingerstwitched. Like every other soldier present, a sword was strapped toher belt. All she had to do was unsheathe the weapon and strike thequeen down. Only ten feet separated them. But if she killed Jana,she would be dead within seconds. Soma would still be alive, andKerdan might not be able to stop the war. She had to play thisright. Her people deserved that much from her. She sucked in herpride and remained against that bloody wall.
“The kingdom is inmourning. Now is the perfect time to strike,” the king said,shaking his fist in the air. “I leave in two days to lead my armyinto Emperion where Iwillestablish control. We will be the mightiest andmost powerful kingdom on the mainland!”
Everyone in the room, except themotionless soldiers along the perimeter, cheered. Kerdan salutedhis father, and the queen raised her goblet in approval.
“The next time wecelebrate,” the king pounded on the table, rattling the cups, “willbe with the deaths of the empress and emperor. I will see mybeautiful wife sitting on Emperion’s golden throne. I will not stopuntil she is ruling over what is rightly hers.” He grabbed hisgoblet, lifting it into the air. “To victory!”
Everyone shouted, “To victory!” whilestomping on the floor, the sound reverberating through the room. Nowonder Kerdan was so eager to murder the royal family—they werealmost out of time.
A chill swept through Allyssa. Shefelt someone watching her. An elderly woman elegantly dressed in apurple gown with a large amethyst necklace was staring at her withfurrowed eyebrows. There was something familiar about the lady. Shesat close to the royal family, next to Odar, so she had to be ofsome importance. But where had she seen her before?
Allyssa gasped. Back home in hercastle was a portrait of the former Empress Eliza, the woman whoRema had overthrown almost two decades ago. Jana’s mother. The ladyin purple was an older version of the painting, still beautiful andwith sharp, cunning eyes.
Eliza’s attention drifted to Odar ather side. He raised his goblet in the air, kissed Shelene’s cheek,and chanted along with everyone else. If Allyssa didn’t know anybetter, she might think he loved Shelene and was pleased with theannouncement. However, she noticed how rigid he sat, his balledfist on his thigh, his foot tapping on the ground. He radiatedfury. Well, that made two of them.
***
Allyssa paced in Kerdan’s bedchamber.How could a ruler toss away thousands of lives just to placatesomeone he loved? What a senseless, petty, arrogant prick. KingDrenton didn’t deserve to reign over Russek. She glanced at Kerdan,who was sitting on the couch and carefully watching her. Too badshe couldn’t include the king in her assassination plans. His deathwould be well deserved.
