Page 34 of Cage of Darkness
She kept her back to him,refusing to turn around. Since they’d sparred yesterday, she hadn’tseen him again until this morning. He’d kept her locked in hisbedchamber, which she hadn’t minded since she was still exhaustedand recovering from her time in the dungeon. Should she go withhim, or should she stay? Neither option came without risk, butstaying here and doing nothing was thesaferroute. Yet, she knew hiding outhere wasn’t thesmartestmove. She needed to learn the layout of thecastle, meet servants who might be sympathetic to her cause, andfind an opportunity to escape—with or without Odar.
“I’ll accompany you.” Shewatched his reflection in the window.
He nodded once, as if he’d expectedthat answer. “You will dress as one of my soldiers and remain indisguise during our journey. I don’t want anyone to know you areout and about.”
He must be used to giving orders andhaving them followed without question. While she didn’tparticularly care to obey so readily, allowing him to maintain theupper hand, what he said about no one knowing she accompanied himwas rather enticing. Almost too good to be true. It certainlyappeared as if he wanted some form of…what? An alliance seemed toostrong of a word. An understanding, perhaps? However, she couldn’trush into anything. Her options needed to be investigated fromvarious angles. She could not afford to be blindsided like she waswith Jarvik-turned-Odar. “Very well,” she said, making her firstmove and agreeing to play his game.
“There is one matter I’dlike to discuss.”
“Only one?” she mumbled,her warm breath fogging up the cold glass as she leaned her headagainst the window.
“I must maintain acertain…disposition in front of my family and army.” He took a stepcloser to her and lowered his voice. “I’ll try not to hurtyou.”
Allyssa straightened. “Whatdo you mean bytry not to hurtme?” She spun around and facedhim.
“I am my father’sson.”
“Surely you do not abusethose who serve in your army?” Darmik never treated his soldierswith disrespect, and he controlled the largest kingdom on thecontinent, proving a vicious leader was not necessary.
“I am not kind to anyone,especially to those who are beneath me.” He clasped his handsbehind his back. “At least, that is the appearance here in thiscastle.”
Here in thiscastle, but perhaps not elsewhere? This wasa man of many contradictions. What did Odar think of him? A thoughtsuddenly occurred to her—maybe, just maybe, she had some bargainingpower. “Can I request something from you?” After all, Kerdan hadindicated more than once that he wanted something fromher.
“What is it?” His face gaveaway nothing.
“I’d like the opportunityto speak with Prince Odar.” Kerdan’s cheek twitched. “Alone,” sheclarified. They stood in silence for a full minute. Her blastedbreathing hitched. Hopefully, he didn’t notice.
“May I ask why?”
“You have your secrets, andI have mine.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”He went over to his dressing closet and removed a well-wornmilitary jacket, throwing it at her. “Put this on.” She grabbed theheavy material and slid her arms through the sleeves. “You’ll alsoneed this.” He handed her a gray knit hat. She pulled it over herhead, shoving her hair beneath it.
“How do I look?” She wasused to disguising herself, and a jolt of excitement swirled insideher. She’d been locked up for too long.
“Pull your pants up higherso they don’t drag on the ground, and button thejacket.”
She did not care for his bluntdirections. “Please,” she scolded him as she folded the waist ofher pants.
“I didn’t realize I neededto bother with such formalities. Did I offend you, oh gentleprincess?” He strapped a sword around his waist.
Was he teasing her? “No, you did notoffend me. However, I think it wise to remember who I am. Justbecause I am here against my will, dressed as a common footsoldier, does not give you the right to be rude to me.”
He raised his eyebrows. “I’m surprisedSoma managed to arrive with you still alive.”
“He gagged me for most ofthe journey.”
Kerdan burst out laughing, the soundstartling her. “Good. I’m glad you annoyed the bloke.” His smilesoftened his harsh face. “Let’s go.” He grabbed his jacket, puttingit on.
They exited his room and descendedseveral flights of stairs. At a small landing, five men, similarlydressed, joined them without pause. One reached out and gentlypulled Allyssa behind Kerdan so they walked in pairs, the princeleading the way. It reminded her of the time she’d snuck in and outof the Emperion castle with Odar and his men in their attempt tosave Grevik. Odar had helped her because he wanted to discover theassassin’s identity. Did Kerdan want to undermine Jana, or did hehave something else in mind?
They entered a large hall with a dozenpeople milling about. Kerdan headed directly toward the center ofthe room where the king stood surrounded by a handful of sentries.When the prince neared, the sentries backed up severalpaces.
Allyssa stopped alongside Kerdan’ssoldiers, ten feet away from the king. A fire roared in the largehearth, barely heating the massive room bathed in dull gray lightfrom the high windows.
Kerdan dropped to one knee. “YourMajesty.” He stood. “I am headed to the garrison to ready my men.”He pulled on a pair of gloves, flexing his fingers.
“Have them prepared toleave with the second wave in a fortnight,” the kingresponded.
