Page 36 of Cage of Destiny
“Where’d yougo?”
“Your father told me not totell you anything.” His thick, tangled hair hung loose around hisface, a leaf sticking out of it.
Trying hard not to smile at hisappearance, she asked, “Do you agree with him?”
“I haven’t decided.” Herubbed his face, smearing some of his black war paint. “Right now,I’m doing what he says because someone needs to be in charge forthis to work, and since he’s the greatest military commander on themainland, I respect him.” He leaned against the wall, watchingher.
Odar stepped out of a room down thehallway. He wore clean clothes, his hair freshly washed and combed.Every time she saw him, a deep pain rippled inside of her. Thisman—who she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with—haddestroyed everything between them with just a few words.
Odar walked slowly toward them. “Inever trusted you,” he said, his voice low and furious.
“Excuse me?” shesaid.
He shook his head and pointed atKerdan. “I knew you had a secret agenda. Was this it? To get yourhooks into Allyssa?”
Kerdan chuckled. “You severed yourmarriage contract with her. I had nothing to do with that.” Hepushed off the wall and stood tall in the hallway, towering overOdar.
“Now is not the time toargue,” Allyssa said. “We need to go downstairs so we can discussthe plan.” She realized Kerdan hadn’t denied Odar’saccusation.
Both men ignored her. “Is this somesick, twisted game?” Odar demanded. “You’re so intent on conqueringEmperion because that was your father’s dream. Only, instead ofwaging a bloody war, you want to marry the princess so you can havethe kingdom without fighting? It’s genius really.” His words echoedone of Nathenek’s concerns.
“I don’t want to ruleEmperion,” Kerdan replied. “I only want what is rightfullymine—Russek. I would like to have Emperion’s backing since they area force to be reckoned with, but that is all.”
Odar turned the full force of his gazeon her. “I thought you were against marrying for political gain.That you wanted love. Or was that a bunch of rubbish?”
“The only reason I agreedto marry Prince Odar in the first place was for political reasons.Oh, but that’s right. You switched places with your squire,deceiving me. Once I fell in love with you, you revealed youridentity. At that point, I thought I had it all—a solid marriagealliance and love. Until you destroyed it all.”
He jerked back as if she’d struckhim.
Shaking her head in disgust, sheturned and left, sweeping down the staircase without a backwardglance. When she was halfway down, she heard Odar say, “You don’tdeserve her.”
“Neither do you,” Kerdananswered. “You had your chance. And you blew it.”
“I’m trying to keep hersafe,” Odar responded. “Everything I did was for her. Now, you’reruining it all. She shouldn’t be here.”
“Do you even know her?”Kerdan asked.
“I know her better than youdo.”
Kerdan made an odd noise,something between a laugh and a growl. “If you truly knew Allyssa,you wouldn’t force decisions upon her or make them for her, and youcertainly wouldn’t doubt her ability to take care of herself.Sheshouldbehere. This is where she damn well belongs—in Russek. Now move outof my way.”
Allyssa heard footsteps nearing so sheran the rest of the way down the stairs and along the hallway,smacking right into her father, Neco, and Nathenek.
“I need a moment tomyself,” she stammered, wanting to collect her thoughts before theyread every emotion on her face.
“I want you composed and inthe dining hall in five minutes,” Darmik called as she hurried downthe hallway. She raised her hand, letting him know she’dheard.
Allyssa reached the training room andwent inside. Going over to the wall, she grabbed a wooden practicesword and swung it, trying to release her pent-up energy. Odar wasengaged. She swung. Odar loved her too much to marry her. She swungagain. Odar had broken her heart, then had the gall to come hereand question Kerdan. She threw the sword. It clattered to theground. Heaving deep breaths, she put her hands on her hips. Bloodyhell. When Kerdan spoke to Odar, he’d defended her—and not like aman defending a woman—but like an equal defending someone herespected. His words had such conviction that it wasinspiring.
Rubbing her temple, she took a deepbreath. While she didn’t love Kerdan, she considered him a friend,trusted him, and valued his opinion. And… and…
“He likes you, you know,”Nathenek said from the doorway, making her jump.
She bent down and picked up thepractice sword. “Excuse me?”
“Kerdan,” he said. “Whenyou come into a room, his eyes focus right on you. He watches yourevery move.”
She put the sword away andstraightened her dress. “Some might consider thatcreepy.”
