Page 42 of Cage of Darkness
“The prince wants to getrid of Jana and her children. He’s hinted at forming analliance.”
“Between Russek andEmperion?”
“No. Between him andme.”
He ran his hands through his hair.“When Prince Kerdan took you to his room, I felt utterly helpless.”He gazed into her eyes. “All my planning and training, and Icouldn’t even protect you. If anything happened to you, I’d neverforgive myself. I promise to get you out of here. You don’t need toform an alliance with your enemy.”
“Don’t you see—escapingRussek isn’t enough. If there’s a way to stop the war, I have totake it.”
“Your parents will find away to stop the war. I will find a way to sneak you out of thiscastle and to safety.”
Why didn’t he understand the uniqueposition she was in? “If I can do something to help my people, I’mgoing to do it.”
“You can’t help your peopleif you’re dead,” he snapped. “And what if Kerdan is just using you?I can’t risk you being hurt or killed.” He put his hands on hershoulders, as if he could shake some sense into her.
But this wasn’t about what Odarwanted; this was about doing what was best for her kingdom.Emperion—her people—would always come first.
“I love your loyalty anddevotion,” he said. “I even understand it. But you must ensure yoursurvival.” He dropped his hands from her shoulders.
She lowered her voice. “While I don’ttrust Kerdan, we have a common goal—to dethrone Jana. I believe wecan work together to accomplish that.” Although she had no idea howthey would get rid of her unless they killed her. Which wouldprobably result in Allyssa’s own death. But if it meant saving herpeople, it was a small price to pay. “What do you know ofhim?”
“Not much.” Odar paced backand forth before the hearth. “Has he truly not laid a hand onyou?”
She wanted to question him about therumors she’d heard about him kissing Shelene, but she didn’t feellike discussing that right now, so she said, “No, hehasn’t.”
He stopped pacing and faced her. “Ithought if I dangled my arm in front of Shelene and Jana, the focuswould be on Fren and not on you. I thought I could bargain for yourfreedom.”
Instead, Kerdan had beaten him to it.“It wouldn’t have made a difference.” This wasn’t about Fren, itsarmy, or amassing power. It was about destroying Emperion. It wasabout revenge.
“Fine. I’ll continue topretend I’m going to marry Shelene. You find out if Kerdan willformally align withus.” He emphasized the wordus. “However, if you have anopportunity to escape, I want you to take it. Get on a horse and goeast, straight to Fren. I will deal with the ramifications here.You just get yourself to safety. This family is crazy, and I can’tthink straight when you’re in danger.”
She went over to him, taking his handsin hers and squeezing them tightly. Being in his presence groundedher.
“There isn’t anything Iwouldn’t do to see you safe,” he said. He leaned down to kiss herwhen the door opened, and Kerdan came in.
“Time’s up,” he said. “Ineed to take Prince Odar back to the royal wing before someonerealizes he’s missing.” His eyes zeroed in on their claspedhands.
Allyssa let go of Odar, taking a stepaway from him. “You’re staying in the royal wing?” she asked. Whywasn’t he in the guest wing?
“He’s staying in a privatebedchamber next to Shelene’s rooms,” Kerdan clarified. “I assumeJana wants to keep an eye on him.”
She nodded. That made sense. Although,it also made her want to claw Shelene’s eyes out. How far wouldOdar go to maintain the ruse?
“Stay safe,” Odar whisperedas he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Don’t forget what I toldyou—if you have the chance, take it.”
She watched him head toward the door.Kerdan withdrew the sack and put it over Odar’s head, once againconcealing his identity.
***
Kerdan entered thebedchamber, carrying a tray piled high with food. He set it down onthe low table and reached under the back of his tunic, pulling outa book and tossing it to Allyssa. She caught it and read thecover:A Secret Affair. She glanced up at him, raising her eyebrows. A romancebook?
“I know what you’rethinking,” he mumbled, plopping on the chair across from her. “Butit was all I could find that would be acceptable for you to readwithout raising suspicion.” Remaining in Kerdan’s room was ratherboring, so she tucked the book on her lap, happy to have some formof entertainment for tomorrow.
He leaned forward and started slurpingthe soup. “Have what you want,” he said between bites, motioning tothe tray.
“I take it you spend thevast majority of your time with your army and not atcourt?”
He nodded. “Why do youask?”
