Page 81 of Cage of Darkness
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Allyssa lost track of time. Theytraveled all day, only stopping at small inns when it was too darkto adequately see. On more than one occasion, she thought ofstealing a horse and riding to Emperion on her own. However,journeying in the carriage afforded her body the time it needed toheal. Each day, her injuries faded a little more, and she becamestronger. Allek took his job seriously and never left her side. Heeven went so far as to station a guard in her room at night. Sheshivered, remembering her restless sleep last night. It had beenplagued with her time in the dungeon, Jana torturing her, and Odarbreaking her heart.
Maybe she could fall asleep in thecarriage for a few hours. She pulled her legs onto the bench andrested her head against the side, trying to get comfortable.Several men shouted orders to one another, and the carriage slowed.It couldn’t be much past midday, far too early to stop for thenight. And from the look of it, they were in the middle of nowhere.They came to a stop, and Allek knocked on her window.
She opened the door. “Is everythingall right?”
“We’ve reached the Emperionborder.”
“And?” Weren’t they goingto take her to the castle in Lakeside? If they intended to leaveher here, she would demand they at least provide her with a horse.Fren’s hospitality was severely lacking.
“There’s a man up ahead,”he said, gripping the hilt of his sword. “He’s standing in themiddle of the road.”
For a brief moment, she feared it wasSoma. But he was dead. “What does the man want?”
“To speak with you. He saidhis name is Neco, and he was sent by Empress Rema and EmperorDarmik to escort you home.” She jumped out of the carriage. “Wait!”he insisted. “It could be a trap. Do you even know a man by thatname?”
“Yes.” Shoving aroundAllek, she ran past the Fren soldiers until she saw Neco. Her heartswelled with relief, and she couldn’t stop the tears. She ran tohim, her ribs and leg sore, but she didn’t care.
When she was about five feet away, hedropped to one knee, bowing his head. “PrincessAllyssa.”
“There’s no need forformalities,” she said.
He stood, his eyes raking over herbody from head to toe. “You’re injured?”
She threw her arms around him. “Mywounds have been tended to.” She’d never been so glad to see him inall her life.
He kissed the top of her head and heldher at arm’s length. “I can’t believe you’re alive,” hewhispered.
“That makes two of us.”Dirt crunched behind her as Allek approached.
“Are you…alone?” Necoasked. The question sent a ripple of pain through her, the loss ofOdar still too fresh to talk about. “I’m sorry, did I say somethingwrong? The Fren messenger informed us that the prince was alive aswell.”
Taking a deep breath, she replied, “Iam alone. Prince Odar chose not to accompany me.”
He gave a curt nod. “Your parentsasked me to bring you home. I’d like to dismiss the Fren soldiers.Is this satisfactory to you? Or do you wish to continue on withthese…men?” His body turned stiff and rigid—he was furious, barelycontaining his ire. Good, because his feelings toward Fren mirroredher own.
“I wish for you to escortme.”
“Excellent.” He looked atthe Frens. “Thank you for delivering the princess. You are nolonger welcome in Emperion. Good day.”
Allek stepped forward. “Your Highness,I need to speak with the empress and emperor about the marriagecontract.”
Neco cleared his throat. “As you havebeen granted permission to speak on your sovereigns’ behalf, sohave I.”
Allyssa folded her arms and waited forAllek to say the dreaded words. Would Neco see her as a failure?Her parents had tasked her with seeking the king and queen’sapproval and marrying Odar. She didn’t accomplish eitherone.
“Fren wishes to sever themarriage contract between Prince Odar and PrincessAllyssa.”
“We assumed so based onyour lack of help when Russek attacked us,” Neco responded. Hishand rested on the hilt of his sword. “But I must know, on whatgrounds?” His voice was calm and laced with fury, sending a shiverdown her spine. Bloody hell—she missed him.
“Russek no longer poses athreat to our kingdom.”
Now that Fren knew Russek intended todestroy Emperion, they’d mistakenly assumed they were safe. Janawould seek revenge for the murders of her mother and children. Odarwas a part of that. Instead of explaining any of this to Allek, shekept her mouth shut. Odar had already made up his mind.
“That is what they think?”Neco clarified. “That Russek is no longer a threat because KingDrenton is dead?”
“Yes, it is,” heresponded.
