Page 83 of Cage of Darkness
“Queen Jana did, but nother stepson. The prince kept me alive. He ensured mysurvival.”
“I only need a moment ofthe princess’s time,” Kerdan said. “Then I’ll be on myway.”
Neco’s focus remained on the prince ashe whispered to her, “You need to fill me in oneverything.”
“I will. For now, let mespeak with him.”
He let go of her arm, and she rushedtoward Kerdan. “I didn’t expect to see you again sosoon.”
“Neither did I,” heanswered. His eyes flickered to Neco and back. “Can we speakprivately?”
“That’s not possible,” Necoanswered. “I will not allow the princess out of my sight.Especially after all she has endured.”
“Fair enough,” Kerdananswered. “But this is a private conversation.”
“Neco can be trusted,” sheassured him. “He’s like a second father to me.”
“I assumed that to be thecase since he was sent to recover you.” Kerdan rubbed the back ofhis neck. “I’m not used to seeing you in a fancy dress.”
“Are you okay?”
“No,” he admitted.“Everything is a mess.” His shoulders hunched forward, and he madea fist, placing it against his forehead. “All my careful planning,and it’s come to this.” He shook his head, appearingdefeated.
“I’m sorry we didn’t killJana. Your current predicament is my fault.” Did he need a safeplace to stay? Was he in hiding? “Tell me what happened after weparted ways.”
“When I went to . . .” Heglanced at Neco and lowered his voice. “When I went to kill myfather, I found him dead. Stabbed to death.”
Someone beat him to it? Who elsewanted the king dead and for what purpose?
“Soldiers stormed in,arresting me. That night, I managed to escape. I’d heard Jana sentsoldiers into Emperion to attack. I immediately went to the basecamp and ordered the soldiers to withdraw. I announced the king’sdeath and explained that Jana arranged for his murder, falselyaccused me, and she was still sitting on the throne. I proclaimedmy desire to overthrow her. The men loyal to me are under mycommand.”
“And theothers?”
“Retreated in the chaos.Jana called all loyal soldiers to the castle to protect her. She’sholed up there with the nobles and their money backingher.”
“Why do you think she hadthe king assassinated?” It seemed as if it would have been easierto keep him alive if her goal was the destruction ofEmperion.
“To arrest and kill me forthe crime. Then she would have complete control.”
“What are you going to do?”Fighting a civil war would pit Russek against Russek. What ahorrible position to be in.
“I’m going to fight for mythrone…for my kingdom.” He took a deep breath. “Which is why I’mhere.”
If he wanted Emperion’s support, shewould have to discuss it with her parents before she promised himanything.
“I have another propositionfor you.”
“I’m sorry you came allthis way, but I’m not interested.” She had no intention of enteringanother arrangement with Kerdan. Her days of treason, espionage,and assassination were over. For the first time, she looked forwardto returning to a boring life at court.
He clasped his hands behind his backand shifted his weight from foot to foot. “Will you at least hearme out?”
He came all this way to speak to her,the least she could do was listen since he had done so much forher. “Yes, but that is all I can promise right now.”
Kerdan cleared his throat. “My kingdomis facing an internal war. Jana sits on the throne, has the backingof the nobles, and controls a large portion of the army. In orderto overthrow her, I need an advantage. Which brings me to myproposition. I consider you to be a good friend.”
“I consider you to be agood friend, too.” She wondered where he was going withthis.
He hesitated a moment, glancing atNeco. “Before we rescued you from Eliza, Odar told me he planned tosever your marriage contract.”
