Page 78 of Cage of Darkness
Why hadn’t Odar given it to herhimself? She shook her head. It was probably some silly Frentradition. Taking the circlet, she placed it atop her head,thankful he had enough forethought to send it to her. She’d neverattended a formal event without her crown.
“I’m ready,” she declared,rolling her shoulders back and lifting her chin in the air. It wastime to put on her court face and go to the banquet.
***
Thousands of candles hung from glasschandeliers, making the Great Hall sparkle. A group of musiciansplayed in one corner, people danced in the center of the room, andlong tables were situated around the perimeter. In Emperion, customdictated eating came first and dancing second. Apparently, that wasnot the case here in Fren.
Officer Allek remained at her side.“You don’t have to watch over me,” she informed him. “I can takecare of myself.”
He smiled. “While I’m sure that’strue, women are not allowed to be unaccompanied inFren.”
“Not even during a banquetwhere plenty of people are in attendance?” Why couldn’t he watchher from the perimeter? He was an officer—it seemed highlyinappropriate.
“Especially not at an eventsuch as this one.”
She didn’t particularly care forFren’s backward ways. Women were perfectly able to care forthemselves. Whatever man came up with their ridiculous rules neededto be set straight. Speaking of which…where was the royal family?In Emperion, her parents were always announced along with visitingroyalty. But she had received no introduction when she entered theroom.
“Since you’re required tobe at my side,” she said to Allek, “why don’t you dance with me?”She did not want to cower or hide on the outskirts of theroom.
“I would be honored.” Hebowed and led her to the center of the dance floor. Taking herhand, he spun her around to face him. They began moving to the slowtune. The dance, although unfamiliar, was simple enough that shequickly learned the steps. However, the movement jostled her ribs,and her leg ached. When the song ended, the musicians went rightinto a new tune. Allek raised his eyebrows in question, and sheshook her head. It had been too much, too soon. He led her off thedance floor.
A trumpet sounded, and a stewardannounced, “King Viscor, Queen Lutia, and Prince Odar.” The royalfamily entered, and everyone bowed or curtseyed.
“Thank you for joining usto celebrate my son’s return from Russek,” the king bellowed.Clapping and cheering erupted throughout the room. “Let us sit andeat, grateful for Prince Odar’s safe journey home.”
Allyssa found it interesting that theking chose not to mention or introduce her. She turned and facedAllek, shrugging off the king’s slight, refusing to let it affecther behavior. She was the crown heir of Emperion and would act likeit. Although, if the rumors were true and Savenek was alive, he wasthe crown heir. Would she be restored to the throne once shereturned, or had she permanently lost her position as the futureempress? An abyss engulfed her; her future unclear.
“Are you all right?” Allekasked, concern etched on his face.
“I’m fine,” she answered,smiling at him. Stepping out of the abyss, she shoved those worriesin a box to deal with later.
The royal family went straight to thehead table that was situated on a raised platform at the front ofthe room. The three of them took their seats, Odar not once lookingher way. Where would she sit if not alongside the royalfamily?
“Let’s find our seats,”Allek said. Taking her arm, he led her to one of the side tables,seating her between a male courtier and himself.
Even if the king was considering thepossibility of severing the marriage contract, that didn’t mean sheshouldn’t sit with them. By ignoring her and not sharing theirtable with her, they were making a bold statement—one that she didnot like or agree with. “I’m not sitting with the royal family?”she asked, wanting—needing—to clarify.
Allek leaned toward her. Lowering hisvoice, he replied, “No. You’re not.”
She was about to question whethervisiting royals were usually treated with so little regard, but sheheld her tongue. Maybe she was overreacting. After all, Odar hadspecifically said he feared Jana would come after her. Perhaps hewas simply trying to keep her identity quiet for her own safety.That had to be the reason.
Plates piled high with duck, potatoes,and carrots arrived. She forced herself to eat while conversingwith the men on either side of her. The courtier asked simplequestions—where she was from, how long she expected to stay at thepalace, and the purpose of her visit. Luckily, she had years ofpractice giving vague answers. She managed to withhold her namewhile behaving in such a way that no one could find fault with asingle thing about her.
Once the royal family finished eating,dancing resumed. Prince Odar had the audacity to dance with abeautiful girl who appeared to be from an affluent family basedupon the ridiculous jewels draped around her neck.
Bloody hell.What was he doing? Ignoring Allyssa, pretendingshe didn’t exist? To what end? Was it because his parents werepresent? Was he afraid to show his feelings for her? It didn’t makeany sense. Unless…did the Fren people not know of the marriagetreaty?
Regardless of what Odar was—orwasn’t—doing, Allyssa needed to make sure she left the king andqueen with a positive impression of her and Emperion so thatrelations between their kingdoms would be strong. Even though theRussek soldiers had withdrawn, she wasn’t convinced the tentativepeace would last.
As she walked across the room towardthe king and queen, her hands shook. She didn’t know if it was fromfear or anger. A small group of people surrounded the royal couple.Allyssa strode right up to them, leaving Allek behind. Everyonestopped talking and turned to face her. She pointedly looked at theking and raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to properly introduceher. She would not be treated with anything less than the respectshe deserved.
“This is Princess Allyssafrom Emperion,” King Visor said, not offering any other informationbeyond that.
“Pardon the interruption,”she politely, but firmly, said. “I need to speak with the king andqueen.” The people nodded and left, leaving her alone with Odar’sparents.
“Is there something inparticular you would like to discuss?” the king asked, his voiceharsh.
Out of the corner of her eye, she sawAllek standing not far from her, ever the diligent escort. Shecouldn’t stay here any longer.
