Page 74 of Cage of Darkness
“We did not engage in thefighting.”
Because the treaty wasn’t in effectuntil they married. She balled her hands into fists, and an awkwardsilence hung between them. “I need to leave.”
“Once you are well enough,I will arrange for a unit of the Fren Army to escort youhome.”
Closing her eyes, she tried to controlher rising panic and fury. “Surely I am well enough to ride in acarriage?” Instead of lying around here like an invalid while herkingdom mourned hundreds of deaths.
He rubbed his temples. “I will makethe necessary arrangements. You will, however, need to meet theking and queen before you leave.”
Their approval was needed for them tomarry. “Do you want to have the ceremony before I go?” Would she bereturning home alone or with him at her side?
Odar looked down at their joinedhands. “Duty will always come first with the two of us, won’tit?”
“Yes.” Very soon, theirduties would be the same, allowing them to stand side by side inunity, instead of being divided between their respective kingdoms.Her soldiers haddiedwhile Fren stood idly by.Neveragain.
“You should sleep,” hesaid, his eyes avoiding hers. He stood and exited the room, leavingher with the strangest sensation that something had changed betweenthem.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The healer smeared a thick, chunkypaste on Allyssa’s arm. The cool substance soothed her skin, makingthe wound numb. An involuntary sigh escaped her mouth.
“You’re quite lucky theinfection is on the mend,” the healer said. “When you firstarrived, I thought I’d have to remove your arm. Now look at you—thecoloring is back to normal, and the wound isn’t pussing anylonger.” After wiping her hands off on a towel, she wrapped a whitecloth around Allyssa’s arm, covering the wound.
Allyssa kept her head turned, unableto even look at it. Her skin had been stitched together, making asection of her arm look like misshapen fabric sewn by atwo-year-old. Not that she was particularly vain, but she wouldhave a nasty scar, making it necessary to keep her upper armsconcealed in order to avoid gossip.
“The string keeping yourskin together can be removed next week.” The healer rolledAllyssa’s sleeve down and took a step away from the bed.
“What about my ribs?” Theyached as if kicked by a horse. She just wanted to feel normalagain—if that was even possible after what she’d beenthrough.
The elderly woman kindly smiled. “I’mafraid they’ll take a bit longer to heal. Nothing can be done forbruised ribs except keeping your torso wrapped. Same with yourleg.”
“Can I travel?” Being stuckin bed was making her edgy. Knowing what her kingdom had beenthrough and that her parents still believed her to be dead waschipping away at her bit by bit. She couldn’t remain in Fren muchlonger.
“You are free to resumenormal activity so long as you don’t overdo it.” She pattedAllyssa’s good leg, oblivious that she was a princess. “Anythingelse, dear?”
“No, that will be all.Thank you for your kindness.”
“Here are some herbs incase the pain becomes a bit too much for you. However, I suspectyou won’t need them. You’re a strong one.” She set a jar on thetable and left.
Carefully climbing out of bed, Allyssastretched her sore leg and wandered over to the armoire. She ranher fingers over the delicate fabric of the dresses that had beendelivered earlier in the day. It had been at least a season sinceshe’d worn something so fine.
“You shouldn’t be standing,miss,” Becka said as she entered the room, carrying a tray offood.
“The healer said I couldresume normal activity.”
She set the tray down. “That’swonderful news.”
It was time to play thepart of the princess, meet the king and queen of Fren, and returnhome to Emperion. As much as Odar might want to keep her hidden atFren’s palace, it wasn’t the right thing to do. And she had nointention living her life locked away in some room just because itwassafe. Taking adeep breath, she stood tall, her back straight and her chin raised.“I want you to assist me while I dress.” Her voice turned firm andauthoritative. She was done taking orders from otherpeople.
“What about your food? It’sgoing to get cold.”
“You will address me by mygiven name, Crown Princess Allyssa of Emperion.”
The servant’s eyes grew wide and shecurtseyed, bowing her head. “Yes, Your Highness. I…I’m sorry Ididn’t know sooner. Please forgive me.”
While Allyssa hated to put on airs, ithad to be done. If she learned anything during her time in Russek,it was that she was not only honored to be the heir of Emperion,but she also wanted to lead her kingdom. Before, she’d resented theformalities that came with the title and position. Now, sheunderstood and welcomed the role she needed to play.
“I am without myladies-in-waiting and need someone to attend me.”
