Page 28 of Cage of Darkness
Jana took a sip from her goblet,stalling. “I was going to keep her locked in the dungeon until youreturned and decided her fate. I assume you will dispatch anotherletter to Emperion. Hopefully, she will be the motivation they needto acquiesce to our demands.”
“I suppose it’s a goodthing I returned a few weeks early.” He rubbed his hands together.“I am pleased Soma brought her here. He is notas…useless…as Iclaimed him to be.”
Soma’s fingers dug into Allyssa’sshoulders, and she had to suppress her smile. The interactionsbetween these family members revealed a great deal.
Instinct told her someone was watchingher. As nonchalantly as possible, she scanned the soldiers in theroom. The one who had brought her here stood off to the side,staring at her.
“While I do enjoy the manyluxuries of court,” Soma drawled in a carefree voice, “I’m glad tobe ofsomeuse toyou, Your Majesty.” He released Allyssa, and her shoulders saggedwith relief.
“My son is valuable and hasmany talents,” the queen serenely interjected, taking her seatagain. “You should employ him as your lord-in-waiting. He could beof great use to you.” Her free hand clasped the fabric of herdress, her knuckles turning white. However, her smile neverfaltered.
“We’ll discuss that later,”the king responded, waving his hand. “For now, I must decide whatto do with the princess.”
“I think it wise to disposeof her immediately,” Queen Jana commented. “Send her body parts tothe empress and emperor of Emperion. While they grieve for theirbeloved daughter, we attack.”
“While I do enjoy yourenthusiasm,” the king replied, “I think it wise to keep her aliveuntil Emperion is conquered. If something goes wrong during theinvasion, I can bring her out, dangle her in front of her parents,and then slit her throat.”
“Very well.” The queen’shand holding the goblet shook ever so slightly.
Allyssa dared a quick glance at Odar.He leaned forward on the sofa, his arms on his legs, appearingrelaxed. However, she knew he was preparing to jump up andintervene if necessary.
“I think the princess is aliability,” Soma said. “She must be killed now, and I should be theone to do it.” He made his way over to his mother, refilling hergoblet with the bottle of wine from the low table.
Flexing her fingers, Allyssa widenedher stance, prepared to either fight or run. No one moved as theking rubbed his chin, deciding her fate. The fire crackled, and thelogs shifted. Her heart pounded and her breathing sped up. Eventhough there were two dozen armed soldiers surrounding the sittingarea, she had speed and agility on her side. She’d fought in enoughbrawls with Grevik to know she could escape. All she needed to dowas pretend this was a tavern and these men were criminals. Justanother night fighting crime.
The king clasped his hands behind hisback. “Son,” he said, turning to face the soldiers off to the leftside of the room.
The man who had escorted her therestepped forward. “Yes, Father?”
Father?Allyssa’s eyes bulged. He was the king’s son,Prince Kerdan? No crown adorned his head, nothing on his armorindicated his rank, and…well…he had dried blood on his armor.Everything about his appearance—from his facial markings to hiswell-worn boots—indicated a soldier, not a prince.
“What do you suggest I dowith Princess Allyssa?” King Drenton asked.
“I see no reason to keepthe princess alive. With Fren’s army, we have the numbers towin.”
The king smiled. “Very well. Killher.”
Chapter Twelve
Soma unsheathed a dagger with a gleamof triumph in his eyes.
The king put his hand on theassassin’s shoulder. “Wait. I want my son to have the privilege ofkilling our enemy.”
If Allyssa didn’t despise Soma withevery ounce of her being, she might actually feel sorry for him. Heglanced at his mother. The queen pursed her lips but did notintervene. He gave a curt nod and put his weapon away.
Prince Kerdan took a step towardAllyssa.
“Wait,” Odar blurted out,his voice ringing through the room. Everyone turned toward him. “Um. . .” he stuttered. “You don’t plan to kill her in front ofPrincess Shelene, do you?”
“I don’t mind witnessing anexecution,” Shelene said, placing her hand on his arm.
Odar looked at Allyssa, his eyessliding to her right toward the door on the east wall. She noddedonce to indicate she understood. When he created a diversion, shewould run.
“You may not mind, but Icertainly do,” he replied. “In Fren, women are not involved inpolitics.” He kissed Shelene’s forehead and stood, pulling her toher feet alongside him. “Come. Let’s go someplace pleasant where wecan talk.” He strategically stood in Jana’s line of sight, blockingthe queen’s view of Allyssa.
Slowly backing away from everyone,Allyssa took a deep breath, turned, and sprinted toward the nearestdoor. Something whizzed through the air. She ducked, a knife flyingby mere inches above her head. Prince Kerdan ordered two soldiersto retrieve her while the rest were to hold theirpositions.
Only ten feet separated her from thedoor when the two men approached. The one on her right swung hissword toward her torso. Instinct took over, and she spun out of theway. As he fell forward from the weight of his sword striking onlyair, she slammed her elbow on the base of his neck. Both sword andsoldier crashed to the stone flooring. Hating to do so, Allyssakicked his face, hoping the blow knocked him out.
