Page 20 of Cage of Darkness
Those gathered had to be members ofthe Russek court. Most of the noblemen wore thick wool tunics,pants, and a sash across their chests that revealed their family’screst. The noblewomen had on dresses made from heavy fabric thatcovered their arms and neck. The colors were dark and muted. Notmany donned jewelry, giving Allyssa the sense that their clothingwas more utilitarian—not what she was used to seeing at her owncourt.
Halfway to the raised dais, shefinally allowed herself to look at the two Throne Chairs. The oneon the left was empty. A woman around her parents’ age sat on thechair to the right. She was dressed in a striking blue gown withmultiple layers of silk, a vast difference from the other membersat court. The woman’s darker skin complemented her raven-blackhair. A gold crown adorned with diamonds rested atop her head. Onher right stood a girl about Allyssa’s age. She had shiny blackhair that flowed down her shoulders to her waist. Her large,chocolate-brown eyes glistened as her full red lips smiled at thesight of Odar. She wore a burgundy velvet dress that was cut low,accentuating her voluptuous figure. A thick, gold-encrusted diamondnecklace hung around her neck, resting against the top of herbosom.
Allyssa folded her hands together,trying to calm her nerves and hoping no one saw how badly she wasshaking. The queen’s eyes roamed over Allyssa, her upper lipcurling in disgust. Shelene’s smile grew into a smirk—her attentionsolely focused on Odar.
Without realizing it, Allyssa hadstopped walking, wanting to run away and hide. This place reeked ofevilness and hatred disguised by pretty faces and fancy clothes.The royal family was going to tear her apart. The queen’s eyesnarrowed, and Soma reached back, clutching Allyssa’s arm anddragging her alongside him the rest of the way to thedais.
“Brother,” Princess Shelenesaid. “It took you long enough.” She placed her gloved hand uponthe back of her mother’s chair, her fingers curling around thewood.
Soma let go of Allyssa and ascendedthe three steps to the top of the dais, kissing his mother on thecheek. Jana smiled, patting his hand. “Welcome home.”
“I’m sorry it took so long.There were a few complications,” he mumbled. “Regardless, I amhere, and I brought you Princess Allyssa and Prince Odar, just likeyou asked.”
Without hesitating, Odar dropped toone knee at the foot of the steps. “Your Majesty,” he purred. “Isee where your daughter gets her exquisite beauty from.” He stoodand inclined his head toward the princess. “Your Highness, it hasbeen far too long since I’ve been graced with yourpresence.”
Allyssa didn’t recognize Odar’s voicebecause it was kind, gentle, and coated with honey. It grated onher ears, making her want to slap him. Instead, she forced herfacial expression to remain neutral while ire and doubt soaked her.Shelene was Odar’s first love, and they had been engaged. He’d saidthe princess really didn’t love him—that she’d only been after hisarmy. While he had expressed how upset he’d been from thisrevelation, he never specifically said he no longer cared forShelene. Could Allyssa trust him? After all, he’d pretended to beJarvik, the squire. How could she be certain when he told thetruth? What if this was all some elaborate plot to destroyEmperion?
“I heard you found yourselfanother bride,” Shelene cooed, her young-sounding voice giving awayher age of fifteen.
Odar chuckled. “Not quite.”
Shelene raised her thick eyebrows,awaiting his explanation.
Don’t react or giveanything away, Allyssa scolded herself.From here on out, she had to be smart about every single move shemade and every word she uttered. Not knowing whom she could trust,she decided not to trust anyone.
“Well?” Shelene asked herbrother. “Is Prince Odar engaged to Princess Allyssa?”
“Yes and no,” Somareplied.
“How is that evenpossible?”
“Prince Odar went to theEmperion court pretending to be his squire, Jarvik. Jarvik, inturn, played the part of Prince Odar, securing a marriage contractbetween himself and the unknowing princess. So, technically,Princess Allyssa is engaged to Jarvik, who, I’m sad to reveal, isdead.”
Shelene’s eyes widened withexcitement, and she fought a smile. Allyssa wanted to yell andscream at her for ordering Jarvik’s murder. Shelene elegantlystrolled down the steps, coming to stand before Odar. “Is thistrue?” she asked, her eyes hooded.
“It is,” he replied, histone conspiratory.
Allyssa ground her teeth together.Odar should be livid. Jarvik was his best friend. Instead, itappeared as if he were in league with the princess.
“Why did you switch placeswith your squire?” She bit her bottom lip, awaiting hisresponse.
He took her hand and kissed it. “Aftermy parents severed our betrothal and sent you home, they insisted Igo to Emperion to secure a bride for Fren. I devised the ruse toappease my parents and remain unattached…for you.” Hewinked.
Princess Shelene looked at Allyssa,scanning her from head to foot. “You fool,” she said, laughing.“You entered into an engagement with the wrong man.” She shook herhead, smiling. “I would have been upset,” she said to Odar, “if youmarried such a plain and simple thing because your parents told youto.”
“They do not command me,”he replied.
Allyssa did not recognize this manbeside her. Was Odar playing a part, as he indicated he would be?Or had he been acting with her, and this was who he truly was? Herhead throbbed, a nasty headache forming.
“Good,” Shelene said. “I’mglad to hear it, because I have a test for you.”
“I will do anything toprove my loyalty.”
Soma leaned down, whispering to hismother. Jana’s brow furrowed, and she focused on Allyssa. When hefinished speaking, he stepped back. Jana’s eyes narrowed as sheobserved Odar. What did Soma say to his mother? That he suspectedOdar cared for Allyssa? She started sweating, her stomach in knots.If they didn’t believe Odar, would he be killed?
“I was hoping you’d saythat,” Shelene purred. “Follow me.” She glided off the dais andpast Allyssa. Odar never even looked her way as he followed theprincess out of the Throne Room. What test did she have in store?Allyssa hoped he would survive it.
No one spoke, and a deadly silencefollowed. After an uncomfortable minute, Jana cleared her throatand said, “It is difficult to sit here and look at you.” Shegripped the arms of her chair, her knuckles turning white. “I wasyour age when your mother cast me aside like a common criminal.”Her voice was steely and dripping with contempt.
