Page 39 of Cage of Darkness
Everything in here revealed a piece ofthe prince. She leaned forward, clutching onto the edge of thedesk. He must have wanted her to see this, so he could gain hertrust this way. She turned around, knocking a small book off thedesk. It landed open, the pages facedown. She squatted and pickedit up. Several pages were bent, so she straightened them. Thecorner of a piece of parchment poked out from the middle. It was asingle sheet, soft and well-worn with elegant but fadedhandwriting. She carefully removed the letter and readit.
My dearest son,
It is with a grave heartthat I write this letter. I fear that my time in this world iscoming to an end. I had hoped to live long enough to see yousettled and with children of your own. Alas, that will not happen.I am being taken from you and your father when danger lurks allaround us. Be aware of Jana and her mother, Eliza. I am convincedthey have ill intentions toward our family. I don’t have anyevidence—it is just a feeling I get when I’m in their company. I’veasked your father to banish them. He has not yet decided theirfate.
I beseech you to do yourduty as the prince of Russek and ensure that our people continue tosurvive in peace—for one day, you will be king. Know that even whenI am not with you, I will be watching over you.
I am so proud of the manyou have become. Always remember that I love you.
Your mother, QueenElenk
Allyssa put the letter back where shefound it, placed the book on the desk, and quickly moved away, herheart pounding with all she learned. The letter validated whatKerdan implied. They had a common enemy. And the prince, it seemed,like Allyssa, would do anything to protect his kingdom.
The door opened, and Kerdan waved herout of his room and into the adjacent office. A dull rumblingsounded. “What’s that noise?” she asked as she exited theoffice.
“A unit of my men has beenordered to the border in preparation of war.”
“War against my people.”She clenched her hands into fists.
“Yes.” He folded his arms,waiting.
Now was the time to test the prince,to see if he truly wanted an alliance with her. “There will bebloodshed on both sides.”
He gave a curt nod.
“Emperion will not fall toRussek,” she insisted.
“Jana believes you are thekey to ensuring it does.”
“I’ll die before Iletthat happen.” Shestepped closer to him. He didn’t offer her anything, so she said,“I will stop this war, one way or another.” There, she’d said it.Her declaration to work with him.
He leaned down so his lips brushed herear. “Jana has managed to worm her way into the king’s heart. Hedoes her bidding.” And then he made his own declaration. “If wewant to stop the war, we must stop the queen.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Why is only every thirdtorch lit?” Allyssa asked, walking beside Kerdan. They’d justreturned from the military garrison, and she hadn’t managed toshake the cold from her bones. “Is Russek so poor you can’t affordto care for this castle?”
The prince huffed. “Our money isdirected to our army, not unnecessary luxuries.” He walked insilence a moment before adding, “Besides, I can see wellenough.”
“So can I.” She pulled thescratchy jacket away from her neck. “It’s just rather depressingand gloomy around here.” She could never live in a place likethis.
“Stop fidgeting with yourjacket.”
She was about to tell him to mind hisown business when movement up ahead caught her attention. Somaslunk out of an adjacent hallway, leaning against the wall,casually waiting for them. Kerdan cursed under his breath, but shedidn’t hear what he said because her mind flooded with hatred forthis man who’d killed Grevik and brought her to Russek, whichresulted in her being tortured. He deserved to be rotting in adungeon, not leisurely strolling around the hallways.
“Relax,” the princemumbled. She unclenched her fists and took a deepbreath.
When they neared the assassin, Soma’slips curled into a cruel smile, his eyes darkening. “My, my, my,”he purred. “I didn’t expect to find the princess out andabout.”
Kerdan didn’t even blink—he keptwalking, ignoring the vile man. Soma pushed off the wall andstarted walking on her free side. She shuddered, not wanting to beso close to him.
Kerdan abruptly stopped. “What do youwant?” he demanded.
“What have the two of youbeen up to?” Soma looked her over, his eyes lingering on hersoldier jacket.
“Who wants to know?” Kerdanleaned forward, his large frame making the assassin appear frailnext to him.
“I do.” Again, Soma’s eyesroamed over her body, her throat. She took a step away from him,revulsion coating her skin.
