Page 51 of Cage of Darkness
“It’s the cheapest,” Kerdanexplained. “We can’t give it away without drawing suspicion, but wecan sell it below market value, pretending not to know anybetter.”
Children, faces dirty and clothespatched together, begged for a taste. One of Kerdan’s men had aloaf of bread, and he tore pieces off for each of them totry.
“I want to help,” Allyssasaid, taking a step toward the cart.
Kerdan grabbed her arm. “You will behelping—by coming with me.” He led her through the crowd, pastseveral shabby buildings, and to the outskirts of the drab town. Afew trees were scattered along the riverbank, the water half frozenover.
“Let’s sit and talk.” Hepointed to a fallen tree trunk.
She climbed on it and sat, her feetdangling over the side. He jumped on and sat next to her. Theprince looked so much younger without the black paint swirled overhis face. She didn’t consider him to be a handsome man, but hecertainly looked interesting. His square face accentuated by histhick eyebrows and long, dark hair made his skin appear even palerthan usual. She didn’t realize how much darker her skin was untilhe had pointed it out.
“That’s the bridge.” Henodded up ahead. About sixty feet away, a wooden bridge crossedover the river. It was wide enough for a carriage to easilytraverse.
“And how do you expect Odarand me to bring it down?” There were only two of them, and thebridge was quite large.
“On the underside of thistree trunk is an ax. You and Odar will use it on the posts of thebridge to weaken them. Make sure to do it close to the waterline sono one sees it.”
“How do you know it willhold until the carriage is on it?” Too many things could gowrong.
“My soldiers will crosssingle file. Once the weight of the carriage is upon it, the bridgewill collapse, I assure you.”
She absently nodded. “Once we weakenthe posts, we’re free to go?” Or did they have to wait until itactually collapsed?
“Yes. You’re free to go.”He looked sidelong at her. “Your journey won’t be easy. Whateveryou do, keep moving. Put as much distance between yourself and thecastle as possible.”
“What about food andsupplies?” As excited as she was to get out of Russek, she did notlook forward to traveling through this weather.
“I’ll have what you needstashed under this tree.” He folded his hands on his lap. “As muchas I distrust Odar, I am glad you won’t be travelingalone.”
That made two of them. She couldn’timagine navigating her way through this kingdom all by herself.Snow started falling. She pulled her cap lower on her head, makingsure her ears were covered. “I want to thank you for releasing mefrom the dungeon and not letting Soma kill me.”
Kerdan opened his gloved hand, smallsnowflakes landing on his palm and melting. “And I want to thankyou for agreeing to my plan.”
They sat in silence, the snow falling.Allyssa wouldn’t say they were friends, nor would she say she fullytrusted him. Yet, sitting there by his side, she felt hope. Hopefor the future of Emperion, hope for Russek. One day, they wouldeach be ruling their respective kingdoms, possibly working togetheragain. At least she knew he had Russek’s best interest at heart.And he would be a far better king than his father.
“Thank you for trustingme,” she said. “I know your trust is not easily given.”
“Since my mother’s death, Ihave not trusted anyone.”
She wondered if that meant he didn’ttrust her.
“We should go.” He jumpedoff the tree, not offering her a hand.
She smiled and hopped down, thankfulhe treated her as an equal and not a helpless woman.
Chapter Nineteen
“Our plan isn’t going towork,” Kerdan growled as he swung and punched the wall. Allyssafolded her arms, wondering why he was so angry. “We need to talk toOdar.” He flung the door open and waved her forward.
She rarely left the bedchamber. In thehallway, he clutched her arm harder than necessary. “Let go,” shesaid, trying to pull away. He ignored her and continued on,practically running down the stairwells and corridors.
They reached one of the main sectionsof the castle. Sentries stood guard at the entry and exit pointswhile nobles walked about. When people saw the prince stormingthrough with her, they stepped out of his way. Allyssa tripped, butKerdan didn’t slow. He dragged her along as she struggled to regainher footing.
“Stop treating me likethis!” she demanded. “You’re being an oaf.” She didn’t care whoheard her.
He stopped and grabbed her hair,pulling her closer to him. “Shut your mouth, woman.” The blackpaint on his face formed daggers, not swirly lines like she hadpreviously thought. “Do not speak unless spoken to.” He starteddragging her again.
They went down a corridor, passing bytwo sentries who chuckled when they saw Kerdan towing her alongsidehim. At a storage closet, he threw the door open. “No one comesin,” he growled to a soldier not far away. “If I’m disturbed, it’syour head.” He shoved Allyssa inside and slammed the doorclosed.
