Page 84 of Cage of Destiny
“We had several contingencyplans in place,” he answered. “This,” he pointed at the duke’scastle, “was one of them. Neco, Hurit, Larek, and I slipped awayright before the soldiers captured your father and Odar. Ourinstructions were to meet up with Kerdan’s men—who were trackingus—and then storm the castle. Once we had verification you wereinside, we waited for the right opportunity and then camein.”
“I think you took themeaning ofstorm the castlea little too literally.”
He laughed. “The explosions came fromone of Kerdan’s men. They’re a wicked bunch.”
A hawk flew high overhead, circlingaround, looking for prey. Everything seemed so peaceful. It washard to believe they’d fought a small war in the duke’s home anddozens of bodies lay dead inside. Jana’s reign of terror wasfinally over. “What happens now?”
“Kerdan must act swiftly.He’ll need to go home to the capital, meet with the nobles toensure their backing, execute all who supported Jana, andofficially be crowned king.”
“Oh, is that all?” Sherubbed her tired face, wondering where she fit in tothis.
“You will return home withyour father. What happens after that is completely up toyou.”
“What will you do?” Sheknew he missed Savenek.
“Whatever your mother needsme to.”
Allyssa reached out, taking his hand.“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For preparing me fortoday. I wouldn’t have survived without you pushing me like youdid.”
“It was mypleasure.”
“And for supporting mymother, raising my brother, and being here for us when we neededit. You are a true friend.”
“Most of my life, I was anassassin. Nothing more than a tool to be used. It wasn’t until Imet your mother that I knew and understood what a friendwas.”
She leaned her head against hisshoulder. They sat in silence, staring at a small bird perched onone of the tomato plants.
“We won’t stay in Russek toensure Kerdan makes it to Clovek?” Allyssa asked.
“No. He doesn’t need us. Heis perfectly capable of taking care of his kingdom.”
She closed her eyes, trying not tocry. It was over. This entire ordeal, her nightmares, all thedemons. “I’d like for you to accompany me home.” She wantedNathenek there for the reunion with her mother and brother. Hedeserved to be there after all he’d done.
“Then I will go with you.”He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding herclose.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Allyssa folded the letter and placedit in the bag along with the others. Her hand cramped from havingwritten for so many hours without taking a break. When she stood,her chair scraped against the wooden floor. A soldier ducked intothe room at the noise.
“This is the last one,” shesaid, handing him the bag. “Make sure these are deliveredimmediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Hebowed and left the room.
Allyssa plopped back down on the chairand sighed. It had been a long day. After the battle, Darmiksuggested letters be dispatched to the Russek nobility, lettingthem know Jana was dead and Kerdan would be ascending to thethrone. With her upbringing, Kerdan thought she could word theletter better than he, so the responsibility fell to her. She’dbeen told to make it clear—join Kerdan or die.
Holed up alone in the office ended upbeing a blessing. She didn’t have to face anyone, nor did she haveto deal with the aftermath of downstairs.
“I thought I’d find youstill in here,” Darmik said as he came into the room. “Finishedwith the letters?” He sat on one of the chairs across the desk fromher.
“Yes.” Her father hadchanged into clean clothes, which highlighted the dark circlesunder his eyes and revealed how exhausted he was. “Is everythingunder control?” she asked, really wanting to know if the dead hadbeen removed and buried.
He nodded and leaned back in hischair. “I’ve made arrangements for us to leave tomorrow at firstlight. Get a good night’s sleep because I intend to ride allday.”
“Why are we in such a hurryto return home?” Not that she wasn’t eager to see her mother andSavenek; however, there was something else going on.
