Page 30 of Cage of Darkness
The amusement vanished from Kerdan’sface. “It is not your place to decide what I can or cannot do. KingDrenton is in charge, not you.”
Jana’s face turned an ugly shade ofred. “Do you have any idea of how long I’ve waited to seek myrevenge on this family?”
“We are on the brink ofattacking Emperion,” the king said. “I promised you the Emperionthrone, and you shall have it. As for the princess, Kerdan willhave her.”
“I did not send my only soninto enemy territory to capture her so your son could have aplaything.”
The king leaned toward her. “Whyexactly did you send Soma after her?”
Jana flinched. “For you, darling.” Shetried to smile, the act futile.
“Yet when I do as I please,you protest.” His eyes narrowed.
“Forgive me. I haveoverstepped my place. Do as you wish, even if it offendsme.”
“Son,” the king said,“Princess Allyssa is yours. But keep a leash on her. She is still aprisoner.”
“Understood.” Kerdanreached out and snatched her wrist. “I’ve had a long day. It’s timeI bathe and find some pleasure.” He looked at the queen. “It’s ashame when things don’t go as planned, isn’t it? Do not mess withme again. If you do, I will destroy you. And that goes for yourlapdog, too.”
“Do not speak to me in sucha vulgar manner,” Jana scoffed.
Kerdan turned and yanked Allyssa alongbehind him.
“Now, now,” the king said.“He is my son, heir, and a captain in my army. Some leeway must begiven.”
Kerdan shoved the side door open andflung Allyssa into a dark corridor.
Chapter Thirteen
Prince Kerdan’s fingers dug intoAllyssa’s wrist as he hauled her through the gloomy hallway.Everything had happened so fast that she didn’t fully comprehendthe sudden turn of events. She should protest and fight back;however, it was as if her mind floated in a foggybubble.
Soma stepped into the hallway ten feetahead of them, blocking the way, shadows flickering across hisangular face.
Kerdan stopped, his grip tightening onher wrist. She let out a small cry of pain; the fog hovering in hermind vanished. “What do you want?” he demanded.
“What do you plan to dowith her?” Soma asked.
“That is none of yourbusiness.” Kerdan pulled her closer to him, angling his bodybetween her and Soma as if trying to shield her from theassassin.
“You should know whatyou’re dealing with.” Soma didn’t attempt to come anycloser.
“I can handle her.”Kerdan’s grip remained firm on her wrist.
“She managed to escape fromme once. Despite how scrawny she looks, she is dangerous. Afterall, she ismycousin.”
Allyssa opened her mouth to argue, butKerdan squeezed her wrist. She shut her mouth, remainingsilent.
“My father isn’t here, so Idon’t have to tolerate you. Get out of my sight.” He hadn’t onceturned his back on Soma. Even though he spoke to him in a degradingmanner, he had to respect his skill in the art ofkilling.
Soma shrugged. “Suit yourself.”Slinking back into the shadows, he disappeared.
“Hurry.” Kerdan resumed hisbrisk pace down the empty hallway.
“You’re hurtingme.”
He lessened hisgrip.Excellent.Making a mental note of the doorways and corridors, she drew a mapin her head of her escape route. Steeling her resolve, she kickedKerdan’s knee while grabbing his thumb on her wrist, bending itbackward. He grunted from the well-placed kick and released her.She turned and ran as fast as she could.
And found herself flat on her stomach,her back protesting in pain from Kerdan’s knee digging into it.“Get off me,” she growled.
