Page 2 of Cage of Darkness
“Stop being apansy.”
He rolled his eyes but made no attemptto stop her as she carefully ripped the seam of his pants, exposinghis injured thigh. An incredible amount of blood coated hisleg.
“Use the medicine in thelarger tin,” the assassin instructed.
Allyssa found the container and pulledit out.
Jarvik slid his hand toward her knee,tapping it twice and startling her. He mouthed, “I’msorry.”
The assassin couldn’t know how shetruly felt about the squire-turned-prince. She quickly focused onhis wound, not acknowledging him.
She expected to see a large gash withpart of his bone or muscle exposed. However, the wound appeared tobe superficial. She twisted around to question theassassin.
“My sword was laced with aparalyzing substance,” he said, watching her closely. She was rightto keep her thoughts and feelings hidden from him. “It wears offafter ten hours or so.”
Relief filled her, but she refused tolet it slip through her mask of indifference. Turning back toJarvik, she said, “All your complaining about dying is a bunch ofrubbish. You’re going to be just fine.” It had been close to tenhours since the assassin captured them. Jarvik should regainfeeling soon.
“I’m sorry,” he mouthedagain.
“You’re a typical entitledprince with a flair for the dramatic,” she said loud enough for theassassin to hear. “I should have seen through yourlies.”
“You would know.” His eyesflashed with an emotion she couldn’t discern, making her want tostrangle and kiss him at the same time.
She opened the tin and scooped out ahandful of salve, applying it to Jarvik’s wound. The substance hada pungent smell, which indicated it had some sort of antiseptic toit. When done, she closed the tin, shoved it in the bag, and tossedit back to the assassin. With her chin held high, she got up andsat on the other side of the fire, studiously ignoring Jarvik.Since her captor knew all he had to do was threaten those she lovedto ensure her cooperation, she would not show any feeling towardthe prince at all.
Prince. She couldn’t comprehend the fact that Jarvik was PrinceOdar. On one hand, she was thrilled the prince hadn’t died and thealliance could still be preserved. However, the man she’d fallen inlove with didn’t exist—he had only been playing a part. The entiretime, she’d thought he was only a quick-witted squire withexcellent fighting skills when he was really the prince of Fren.When she’d lied to Grevik about who she was, it was so she could befree from the confines of her title and be a true friend. It wasn’twith the intention to deceive. What reason could Jarvik possiblyhave for lying to her this entire time? Why didn’t he tell her thetruth? A little voice reminded her that he’d tried to tell hersomething numerous times. He had even said,I’m afraid you’re locked in this cage of deceit with me. Whenyou break free, you’re going to hate me.Bloody hell. Why hadn’t she seen it before?
“How can you be certain?”she asked the assassin.
“Of what?”
“That this man is reallyPrince Odar and not the squire I believed him to be. I’m not easilyfooled.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“The same way I know thatyou’re Princess Allyssa and not Lilly.I’mnot easily fooled.” His black,shoulder-length hair fell forward, concealing his dark eyes andaccentuating his angular features.
“I’ve seen you before,”Jarvik suddenly interrupted, pushing himself to a sitting position.“At Fren’s court. You came with Princess Shelene.” His eyesnarrowed as he studied the assassin.
“Ah,” the assassin purred,“you’re not as aloof as I’d hoped you’d be.” He adjusted theskewered rabbits over the fire, not offering anything further abouthis identity.
What had a man with his particularskillset been doing visiting Fren’s court with a princess? Allyssawas about to question him when her stomach grumbled from hunger.The assassin opened one of his bags and flung a roll of bread toher. She caught it.
“Eat up,” he commanded.“Can’t have you starving to death on me.”
At least she wouldn’t have to worryabout him killing her while she slept. Tearing off a piece of thebread, she devoured it. Allyssa prayed Marek had managed to reach atown and have his injuries tended to. It was only a matter of timebefore he gathered a group of Emperion soldiers and startedtracking her. She just had to hang on until he foundher.
Jarvik sat on the other side of thefire, wiggling his foot while rubbing his thigh. Feeling must bereturning to his leg. He glanced up at her, a fierce determinationin his eyes. Her own features must have mirrored his—because therewas no way she would let Russek use her as a bargaining pieceagainst her parents in order to conquer Emperion. If Marek didn’trescue her, she would find a way to outsmart and escape theassassin.
As to what she would do about Jarvik,well, that was another matter entirely.
***
Something startled Allyssa, and shewoke up. A large hand slid over her mouth. She was about to punchher attacker when Jarvik whispered in her ear. “Stay absolutelystill. Just listen to what I have to say and don’t respond—nomatter how much you might want to.”
The fire in the cave had died outcompletely, and blackness surrounded them. She wondered how Jarvikhad gotten over to where she lay without rousing theircaptor.
His hand slid under hers. “Tap afinger against my hand once for yes, twice for no. Understand?” Shetapped his hand once. “Very good. Are you hurt?” he asked, his lipsbrushing her ear while he spoke.
She tapped twice. His body lay againstthe right side of hers, making her want to turn and hug him, butany movement might wake the assassin.
