Page 73 of Cage of Destiny
“By what?”Wolves?
“Soldiers,” he said flatly.“Too many for us to overtake.”
How was that possible? In town, no onespoke of soldiers being in the area. Slowly, Allyssa turned so shewas back to back with Kerdan. “What do you want to do?Fight?”
“No. Put your weapon awayand do exactly as they say. Once we know what the situation is, wecan consider our options.”
The situation. As in whether theseRussek soldiers had discovered her father and the rest of theirparty. Was it an accident that these men had come upon them? Or wasthere a more elaborate plot at play here? While these soldierswould keep Allyssa alive for Jana, what about Kerdan? “Are yousure?”
“Trust me. I have a planfor either scenario.”
“Okay.” She sheathed herweapon, placing her trust in him.
“I am Prince Kerdan,” hebellowed. “I order you to stand down.”
She still couldn’t see any of thesoldiers—but she could feel their presence not far away. Leavesrustled as someone approached.
“Sorry, Your Highness,” aman said. “The queen has ordered us to bring you in for killing theking. You’ve been charged with treason.”
Kerdan stalked up to the man untilthey were toe to toe. “The queen killed my father. It is she whoshould be arrested for treason.”
“It’s not our place to makethat determination,” the man said. “We have orders, and we willfollow them.” His sword glinted in the moonlight.
Five dozen men emerged from behindtrees and under bushes. How had Allyssa and Kerdan walked into thistrap? Or had these soldiers surrounded them while they werekissing?
She turned and walked away fromKerdan, heading toward the village. The soldiers she walked towardshifted, unsheathing swords. When she neared them, she said, “Letme pass.”
The man who had been speaking toKerdan said, “We have orders to take you in, too.”
“Me?” She spoke in her bestRussek accent. “Why would the queen be interested in a whore?” Noone spoke, but she could feel them assessing her. “I was at atavern in town and saw this man fighting. I liked what I saw andoffered him my services. I didn’t know he was the prince. Let me gohome to my family. It’s late, and I’m tired.” Nathenek wouldappreciate this lie. He’d always told her to say what people expectto hear, no matter how degrading.
“What should we do?” one ofthe soldiers asked.
“Take her. Once we have theothers, we’ll know whether she is the princess or awhore.”
Allyssa’s heart pounded. That meantthey knew her father and Odar were in this forest, but hadn’tcaptured them yet. Taking a huge breath, she screamed.
Chapter Nineteen
A hand clamped down over Allyssa’smouth, stifling her scream. She tried to pry the fingers away, butan arm snaked around her waist, pulling her against a bulky body.She slammed her boot on the man’s foot, but his grip onlytightened.
“We’ve lost the element ofsurprise,” a man shouted. “Attack!” She wiggled, struggling tobreak free.
Soldiers rushed by—so many she lostcount. Kerdan knelt on the ground, three swords pointed at him, hiseyes solely focused on Allyssa. The man holding her yanked her armsbehind her back, securing her wrists together with coarserope.
“Do not harm her in anyway,” Kerdan said, his voice low and menacing. “Or I swear on mylife I will gut you.” The man hit the back of her legs, and shefell to the ground. “By this time tomorrow, I will be your king,”Kerdan continued. “You do not want my first order to be yourexecution.”
“We’re just following thequeen’s orders,” the man replied.
“I am still your prince.And you will not harm the young woman.”
At least two dozen men remained behindto guard them. One searched Allyssa for weapons, confiscating allher knives.
“Let’s return to therendezvous point,” a soldier said. “Move out!”
The man at her side lifted her up,throwing her over his shoulder. “Put me down!” she yelled, her headbouncing as he walked.
“Don’t forget my warning,”Kerdan growled.
