Page 73 of Cage of Darkness
“Please send word to theprince. Tell him that I request his presence.”
“Prince Odar is a very busyman. He’ll come to see you when he has the time.”
Servants never spoke to her in such aninformal manner. However, this woman had no idea she was aprincess. “Will you at least help me to stand?” Becka hesitated.“Please? Remaining in bed is rather boring. I could use thedistraction.” Plus, getting out of bed and using her legs wouldkeep her from feeling so helpless.
The servant’s eyebrows drew together.“I suppose standing won’t hurt. But that’s all you can do.” Sheglanced at the door. “Put your arm around my neck.”
Allyssa did as the woman instructedand stood on shaking legs. While she felt weak, she could standwithout any pain in her torso. Relief filled her.
“I think that’s enough fortoday.” Becka helped her back onto the bed. “Can I get youanything?”
“I’m a littlecold.”
She went over to the fire, adding afew more logs and stirring it to life.
The door swung open, and Prince Odarentered. After instructing Becka to wait outside, he asked Allyssahow she was doing.
“Better.”
“You look and sound muchimproved.” He sat on the bed next to her. “I’m sorry I was gone allday.”
“How did visiting the gravego?”
He sighed. “It was hard.”
When he didn’t elaborate, she reachedfor his hand. “If you want to talk, I’m here.”
Absently rubbing his thumb over herpalm, he said, “I’ve ordered several dresses to be made for you. Aseamstress will bring them tomorrow and ensure theyfit.”
The change in subject matter caughther off-guard.
“I spoke to my parents andlearned some details about the last couple of weeks. Do you want meto tell you?” His focus remained on their hands.
“Of course.”
He ran his free hand through his hair.“The details are sketchy. We know that the king of Russek is dead.Queen Jana is ruling and has claimed Kerdan killed the king, whichmakes the prince a traitor. No one knows where Kerdan is, and thekingdom is in a state of civil unrest.”
“Do you think he’s beenarrested?” If Jana got ahold of him, he would be deadalready.
“No. There are rumors he isstill controlling a portion of the army. However, Jana has thebacking of the noble class who control another portion of the army.There is fighting within the kingdom.”
“We got out just intime.”
“There is more.” Odarcleared his throat and shifted on the bed. “Around the time weescaped, Russek attacked Emperion on your northern border. Therewere two days of intense fighting before someone gave the order forRussek to withdraw.”
Her ears started ringing. “How manyEmperions died?”
“I don’t know the exactnumber, but it is believed to be several hundred.”
“Who ordered the retreat?”Had Jana wanted the additional protection?
“Kerdan.”
He’d honored their bargain even afterthey failed to kill Jana?
“He managed to call themback before the news of the king’s death reached them.”
“What about Fren? How manylost?” She prayed Marek, Neco, and her father had not been at theforefront fighting and that they were alive and well. She needed toreturn home immediately.
