Page 18 of Cage of Destiny
She stopped and faced this man, herpartner in crime, giving him a fierce grin. “I pity the person whogets in our way.”
Chapter Six
Allyssa and Nathenek had been walking for the pastcouple of hours in the blazing heat. It didn’t help that she worethick pants, an undershirt, a tunic, tall boots, a scarf wrappedaround her face, and a cape draped over her shoulders. Althoughprotected from the sun, she feared she would suffer from aheatstroke. Oh, and the blasted sack she carried filled with food,bedding, and clothes didn’t help either.
“I would have thoughtsomeone like you would have horses,” Allyssa said, trudging behindNathenek.
“Too impractical.” Hedidn’t even sound winded.
“Because you travel sooften?” she asked.
“That and the sandstormshere are too dangerous. I own horses just outside the city wherethe weather is milder.”
Why did Nathenek live in Emperor’sCity? The weather was hot, the sand awful, and the place crowded.While Allyssa enjoyed the hustle and bustle in Lakeside, it was toomuch here. It seemed like it never ended. It was easy to blend inand get lost—perhaps that was why Nathenek stayed. Or, Rema couldhave insisted he remain here. There weren’t any other houses on theoutskirts that Allyssa noticed, and she wondered if perhaps thatwas the compromise he’d made. He would remain in Emperor’s City,but on the edge in a small, quiet house. What had it been likegrowing up in such a place?
“Have you always lived inyour current house?”
“I’ve owned it for thirtyyears.”
Long before he knew Rema then. “Mymother didn’t give it to you?”
He laughed. “No. She tried to bestowme with a larger home, but I refused.”
“Will you tell me moreabout her?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Didn’tyou grow up with her?”
“Yes. And I know everythingabout the woman she is today. But she keeps so much of her pastlocked away.”
“I’m sure she has herreasons. Your mother is a prudent woman. I trust herimplicitly.”
His unwavering support and admirationof Rema was… unexpected. “The two of you became friends after youkidnapped her?”
“Yes, during the voyagehere.”
She mulled over that. “Was there everanything more than friendship between the two of you?” Hopefully hewouldn’t snap her head off for asking such a personal question, butshe was trying to understand Nathenek and Rema’srelationship.
“I’m a lot older than sheis.”
“That’s not ananswer.”
“She is like a sister. Ilove her, but not in any romantic sense of the word.” He stopped,and Allyssa came alongside him. “Your mother burst into my life—aforce to be reckoned with. She was feisty, strong, and loyal. Shewas also already in love with Darmik—the love between the two ofthem apparent. So, like I said, our relationship never went in thatdirection. Above all, though, Rema saved me.”
“How?” It bothered her thatshe’d never known about Nathenek since he was so important to hermother.
He readjusted the scarf covering hismouth and nose, his bright blue eyes flashing under his hood. “Rematrusted me when no one else did, she has never forced a decision onme, and she gave me a new life. For the first time ever, I had apurpose besides killing. I chose to serve your mother.”
It was hard to envision Rema using anassassin.
“Once your mother’s thronewas secure, I met a woman and we married. Unfortunately, she diedin childbirth. I was devastated to lose my wife and child in oneday. That was about the same time your mother gave birth. When shedecided to hide her son, she came to me and asked if I would do herthe honor of raising him. Savenek has been a blessing.” His voicecracked with emotion, startling Allyssa. This man loved herbrother. It never occurred to her that he missed Savenek. When herbrother had been deemed necessary, he was taken from Nathenek andthrust into the royal court. Because they had to preserve the royalline at all cost.
“I’m sorry,” Allyssasaid.
Nathenek resumed walking.
She hurried after him. “You knew thisday would come, didn’t you?”
“Yes, although it didn’tstop me from hoping it wouldn’t. It’s better this way, though. Hewas starting to form an attachment.” He stopped at the top of thehill, observing the village below. “The stables where my horses arehoused is right over there.” He pointed to the northern section ofthe village. This area was less sandy, though by no means green andvibrant. They followed the path down the hill, dry bushes andtumbleweeds surrounding them.
