Page 92 of Cage of Destiny
“What for?” heasked.
“Everything. I’m lucky tohave you for my father.”
He patted her hand. “I know you’vebeen through a lot,” he said, his voice low so the guards trailingthem couldn’t overhear. “If you ever need to talk, your mother andI are here for you. We’ve both been through similar ordeals.Although we don’t discuss it much, we’ve had to live with whatwe’ve done in the past. The important thing is not to forget, butto learn from what happened. Use it to make yourself a betterruler.”
“I will.” Allyssa would doher duty and be the best empress possible for Emperion. She wouldmake her people, and her family, proud. The sentries standing guardat the Royal Chambers bowed and opened the doors.
Inside, Rema was sitting on the sofareading a letter. When she looked up and saw Allyssa, she stood.“It’s about time.”
Allyssa ran over to her mother,hugging her.
“You’re home,” Rema said,holding her daughter tightly. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Overcome with emotion, Allyssacouldn’t speak, so she stood, wrapped in Rema’s arms, tearsstreaming down her cheeks. She was home and right where she wantedto be.
***
Mayra, Madelin, and Marek stood byAllyssa’s side as she entered the Great Hall. Chandeliers hung fromthe ceiling, lit with hundreds of candles. Flowers filled the room,and musicians played a lively tune as couples danced. The hall waspacked with people there to celebrate. An official announcement hadbeen made earlier that the princess was not only found alive, butalso that she had returned to the castle.
It felt strange to enter the GreatHall without her parents. However, she hadn’t been ready when theparty started, and her parents hadn’t wanted to keep their guestswaiting. Allyssa knew people would be eager and pleased to see her.However, she was not prepared for what happened when the musicstopped and everyone turned to stare at her.
“Her Highness, CrownPrincess Allyssa of Emperion,” a sentry announced.
Everyone dropped to one knee, some ofthe women crying out in joy. Murmurs of, “It’s really her!” and“She’s returned,” rippled around the room.
She blinked the tears away, thankfulto be home and with her people.
Allyssa gave the signal, and everyonerose. She was immediately bombarded with people expressing theirhappiness that she was home safe and sound. Unsure of what Remasaid about Allyssa’s ordeal, she kept her answers vague, notwanting to discuss her almost death or Odar. As soon as she had amoment, she scanned the room, looking for her parents, knowing herbrother would be with them. They were nowhere to be seen. Shecontinued to converse with those around her until she saw afamiliar face. Grevik’s mother. Allyssa rushed over to the woman,hugging her. “I’m so sorry,” Allyssa said.
“It’s not your fault,” hismother replied.
“I should have told him Iwas the princess.”
“If you had told him, itwould have changed your friendship. He liked things the way theywere—and I think you did, too.”
Allyssa smiled. “True.”
“Happy birthday. Now go andcelebrate with your family.”
Allyssa turned and spotted her parentson the other side of the room, her brother standing betweenthem.
Madelin and Marek snuck off to dancetogether, leaving Allyssa alone with Mayra. She took her friend’shand, squeezing it. “Come with me, Mayra. I think it’s time I meetmy brother.”
“I’ll go with you, but youhave to let go before you tear my hand off.”
Allyssa let go and headed across theroom. “What’s my brother like?” Her body started sweating as nervestook hold.
Mayra’s face turned a bright shade ofpink. “How should I know?”
“I’m assuming you’ve methim?” Allyssa replied.
“Yes.”
“What do you think ofhim?”
“I… well, he’s… I think…oh, bloody hell. Just meet him yourself.” She huffed and walkedaway, leaving Allyssa alone. Was something going on between Mayraand Savenek? No one had ever caught Mayra’s interestbefore.
Allyssa continued across the room. Herbrother laughed at something Darmik said. While Savenek looked likeRema, he had her father’s mannerisms. She couldn’t believe she hada twin brother. And she was about to meet him.
Rema glanced over and saw Allyssaapproaching. She said something and Savenek looked up, his eyeslocking with Allyssa’s.
Allyssa walked right up to Savenek,stopping a few feet away. “Happy birthday, brother.”
“Happy birthday, sister.”He smiled and she knew, right then and there, that the two of themwere connected. They would have a great many adventures together,despite having grown up apart. He had a wild gleam to his eyes, andshe couldn’t help but laugh.
The End of Allyssa’s Story…
