Page 58 of Cage of Destiny
“I find that hard tobelieve.” He folded his arms across his chest. “You always haveplenty to say.”
She rolled her eyes. “Isuppose I should figure this out. Once we kill Jana tomorrow,Kerdan will want to start negotiations.”
“Only if you still want tomarry him.”
Allyssa didn’t know what todo. She wanted love, romance, and a family. She wanted the sort ofrelationship her parents had. Rema had told her it was love atfirst sight between her and Darmik. While Allyssa liked Kerdan, shedidn’t think she loved him. Her breath didn’t catch when he walkedinto the room.
“It’s obvious he cares foryou. He seems to be somewhat intelligent.” Darmik rubbed his face.“Maybe you should wait and seek your mother’s counsel.”
“It is a good match forEmperion.”
“True. But is it a goodmatch for you?”
“I don’t know.” She’dthought Odar was the perfect match and look how that turned out.Right now, she didn’t trust her own judgment. Which meant sheshould listen to those she respected and trusted. So why was herfather being evasive? With other suitors, he’d made his thoughtsand opinions well known. “Do you honestly not like Kerdan?” Theywere so similar—both military men, rulers, and both had shadyfathers.
Darmik sat on the ground,leaning against a tree. “He… well… he seems older thanyou.”
Plopping down next to herfather, she replied, “He is a couple of years older. The same asOdar.” And Odar’s age hadn’t been an issue. What was it aboutKerdan that bothered her father?
“He’s an intimidatingmilitary leader, not a prince. I don’t picture the two of youtogether.”
She burst out laughing.“You’d rather me marry someone more princely?” Ironic coming fromDarmik.
He patted her leg. “It’snot my decision to make. And, according to Kerdan, I don’t give youenough credit. So, I will support whatever you choose todo.”
Her father rarely let herdecide anything of importance. “You honestly don’t care whether Imarry Kerdan or not?”
“I care. I just refuse toforce a decision on you. You’re almost seventeen. It is your life,your choice.”
She’d forgotten she had abirthday coming up. Which meant her twin brother did too. “Didn’tyou say Mother and Savenek had to approve?”
He chuckled. “I did. First you decide,then we worry about them. One thing at a time.”
A shadow fell over them,and Kerdan cleared his throat. “I want to speak with the princess.Alone. May I have a moment of her time?”
Darmik stood so he was toeto toe with Kerdan, staring at him for a full minute beforeanswering. “You have ten minutes. That’s all. Then we need to planexactly what’s going to happen tomorrow. I don’t want any moresurprises.”
Kerdan gave a curt nod.“Understood.” He looked at Allyssa with his hands clasped behindhis back, not making a move to help her to her feet. Of course not.That wasn’t his style. She stood and followed him.
As they exited the camp, Odarmuttered, “Cause he hasn’t had enough time alone with her.Bastard.” Kerdan’s step didn’t falter though he had to have heardOdar. Well, if he could ignore the jab, so could she.
ChapterSixteen
Allyssa and Kerdan came to a small clearingsurrounded by oak trees, far enough away from everyone else so theycouldn’t be seen or heard. The leaves swayed in the wind, and astrand of Allyssa’s hair came loose from her braid. She pushed itbehind her ear, waiting for Kerdan to speak.
He cleared his throat.“Will youpleasetell me what type of marriage you want?” He stood with hisfeet shoulder-width apart, his arms at his sides. The swordstrapped to his waist was Drenton’s sword—the sword of the Russekking. Black swirls of paint covered half his face. He looked verymuch like the commander of a great army.
Folding her arms, she started walkingaround the perimeter of the clearing.
“I don’t mean to pressureyou,” he said. “It’s just that I like to plan things.”
She knew that. This man—whohad always been upfront with her—was asking the same in return. Sheowed him that much. “I want a real marriage, not in name only.However,” she couldn’t look at him as she said this, “I’m not sureI see that between us.” She kept walking around the perimeter,trying to keep the tension at bay. This conversation was awkward,but necessary.
He remained standing in thecenter of the clearing. “You don’t want to be my wife?”
Her heart fluttered at the word.“That’s not what I said.”
“Then what are yousaying?”
