Page 42 of Cage of Destiny
She spun around to face him. “Theworst weeks of my life were spent in Clovek. When I was in thedungeon being interrogated, caned, and having my nails ripped outbecause I was protecting the ones I love.” She took a step towardhim, watching his face turn white from what she’d said. “I wouldhave done the same thing over again to protect you, to save you,because I loved you. And love is worth fighting for.”
He closed his eyes, relieved. “I knewyou still loved me.”
“But then you broke myheart because you weren’t strong enough to face an uncertain futurewith me. You tossed me aside, regardless of what I said orwanted.”
He flinched.
“And now you have the nerveto accuse me of having a relationship with Kerdan when I was beingheld captive?”
“Allyssa, I—”
“No. I’m done talking toyou right now.” She turned and stormed down the corridor, away fromhim, not even sure where she was headed.
“Allyssa!” he called outafter her. She ignored him and continued.
Of all the nerve. Shecouldn’t believe he’d accused her of such a thing. She turned andkicked the wall, stubbing her toe.Blimey. Needing to calm down beforeher father saw her, she pushed open the nearest door and entered asmall library. Rubbing her head, she took a deep breath, attemptingto cool her temper. There was no reason to be upset, hurt, orangry. Her focus needed to be on her kingdom and moving forward.Right now, that entailed getting ready for her journey toJontis.
In the center of the room,she noticed the quilt placed over the couch, the way the two chairswere situated before the empty fireplace, and the worn book on theside table. Everything about this house felt warm, safe. People whowere happy and in love lived here. This was a real home. Herfingers trailed over a painting someone had done. Closing her eyes,she mulled over the wordfamily. Allyssa was ready to fightfor not only her family, but also all the families in her kingdom.Everyone deserved to live a life like this.
Chapter Twelve
Darmik pulled his horse to a stop near the edgeof the forest. “This is where we part ways,” he said. Allyssa camealongside him, patting her horse’s neck. “Continue northward.You’ll run straight into Jontis.”
She couldn’t believe her father wasallowing her to do this. Fear and excitement filled every inch ofher.
Neco pulled his horse to astop on her other side. “Odar will enter from the east side as ifcoming in from Fren.” He glanced up at the angle of the sun. “Weparted ways about two hours ago, so he should already be there ifhe continued on at the same speed.”
“Nathenek and Kerdan arealready in position,” Darmik added.
She went over the plan inher head one more time. So many elements could go wrong. However,they had several backup plans in place. Everything should be fine.In theory.
“You have your weapons?”Darmik asked.
“Yes.” Two knives strappedto her thighs under her pants, two daggers in her boots, one knifeon her forearm.
“Everyone is expectingyou,” Neco said. “The second you enter Jontis, all eyes will be onyou. Make sure you act the part—no matter what happens.”
“Mother has no idea we’redoing this, does she?”
“She knows we are together;however, she has no idea we’re going after Jana,” Darmik answered.“She would never allow such a thing.”
“Then why areyou?”
“We need to kill Janabefore she destroys our kingdom and our family. This seems to bethe best way to accomplish that goal.” His horse nickered, becomingrestless. “And Nathenek said you could handle this. I trust hisjudgment.”
She couldn’t believe Nathenek hadgiven her such high praise.
“We need to get moving,”Neco said.
Darmik absently nodded, bringing hishorse in front of Allyssa’s. “If I sense anything amiss, Nathenekis pulling you out. You will do exactly as he says,understand?”
“Yes.”
“You are only needed forthe first part. Once Kerdan’s men have you out of the town andsomeone has verified your identity, I’m putting a decoy in yourplace. I will not allow you to be anywhere near Jana or herpsychopathic soldiers.”
“How will I know Kerdan’smen from Jana’s soldiers?”
“Kerdan pointed his men outto Nathenek the other day,” Darmik said. “Nathenek knows what eachman looks like. If the wrong person lays a finger on you, they’llbe dead.”
