Page 76 of Cage of Darkness
“This place isastonishing,” she said, feeling incongruous with the opulence andbeauty before her.
“It truly is,” Allekreplied. “We need to be on our way. King Viscor, Queen Lutia, andPrince Odar are expecting you.” At the other end of the corridor,they went through another set of doors and entered a largereceiving room. Several people mingled about, talking and sippingtea. “Those who wish to speak with the king and queen wait here tobe called.”
“Do all these people liveat court?”
“Most. However, anyone maycome to seek an audience with the king and queen.”
Several people looked her way. Withoutthe crown atop her head, they had no way of knowing heridentity.
“This way, Your Highness.”He escorted her toward two large gold-plated doors.
The sentries standing guard openedthem, and Allyssa stepped inside while the soldiers accompanyingher remained in the receiving room. She walked down the centeraisle toward the dais, trying to be as graceful as possible in hercondition. The room was empty except for three people.
An older gentleman with gray hair anda neatly trimmed beard sat on the middle Throne Chair. He wasbroad-shouldered and exuded an air of respect. He had to be KingViscor. To his right sat a woman about Rema’s age with long,chestnut-colored hair. She had to be Queen Lutia. On the king’sleft was Odar. He was dressed in a dark tunic with Fren’s crestembroidered on the front. A crown adorned his head—it was the firsttime she’d seen him wearing one.
Forcing herself not to stare at thehandsome prince, she walked the remaining distance, stopping at thebottom of the raised dais. She chose not to speak until properlyintroduced.
Odar cleared his throat and stood.“Father, Mother, may I present Her Highness, Crown Princess Allyssaof Emperion.”
She gave a slight nod to the king andqueen and waited for them to address her.
King Viscor looked at his son. “I wastold the Emperion princess was dead. Killed by the Russeksavages.”
Allyssa shuddered, remembering whenKing Drenton announced that Jana had sent word to her parentsproclaiming her death. “I can assure you, Your Majesties, I amalive and well. After being held captive in Russek for severalweeks, I escaped with Prince Odar.”
The king rubbed his chin. “Son, younever mentioned any of this. Explain.”
“You didn’t tell yourfather what happened?” Allyssa asked, appalled that he wasn’thonest with his own family.
Odar held up his hands. “Hear me outbefore you jump to the wrong conclusion.”
She folded her arms and waited for himto explain.
He looked at his father. “When wearrived here at the Fren palace, I thought it best if no one knewPrincess Allyssa was here. Jana is actively searching for her. Whynot let Jana think Allyssa either went home or died from herinjuries?” He turned to face her. “The roads are being watched. Shehas put a hefty bounty on your head. The less people who know youridentity, the better.”
“But surely there is noharm in telling your parents of our ordeal?”
“No, of course not. Isimply haven’t had the chance to speak with them alone. There arehundreds of servants and soldiers in this palace. It only takes oneperson to put your life in jeopardy.”
What sort of relationship did he havewith his parents if he hadn’t spoken to them alone? They’d beenhere an entire week. She couldn’t imagine going more than a daywithout having her parents’ undivided attention.
“While I understand yourreasoning,” the king replied, “you needn’t worry about protectingPrincess Allyssa. Our spies tell me Russek is in chaos and facing afull-scale civil war. Queen Jana just lost her husband and childrenand is in danger of losing her throne, too. The Emperion princessescaping should be the least of her concerns.”
Odar shook his head. “Queen Jana willseek revenge, and Princess Allyssa is in danger.” He quicklyexplained Jana’s hatred for Allyssa and her ties to the Emperionthrone and family.
The king shrugged. “It seems Fren hasnothing to fear then. Russek is fighting from within, they’vewithdrawn their soldiers from our borders, and if anything, theywill go after Emperion once Jana secures her throne.”
“If she secures herthrone,” Allyssa inserted, unable to help herself.
“Regardless,” the kingcontinued, “since the war with Russek is over, an alliance betweenFren and Emperion is no longer necessary.”
Bloodyhell. That hadn’t occurred to her. Sheglanced sideways at the prince, trying to see his reaction. Hiscarefully neutral mask revealed nothing. The irony of the situationwasn’t lost on her. Forced to enter a marriage treaty with a manshe didn’t love, only to discover she loved another man, who, in adrastic turn of events, ended up being her betrothed. At first, shehated the idea of marriage. Now, she’d come to love Odar and wantedto spend her life with him.
The king watched her, waiting for aresponse.
“I will discuss it with myparents.” She barely got the words out.
“What is your say on thematter?” the king pushed.
