Chapter Twelve
Soma unsheathed a dagger with a gleam of triumph in his eyes.
The king put his hand on the assassin’s shoulder. “Wait. I want my son to have the privilege of killing our enemy.”
If Allyssa didn’t despise Soma with every ounce of her being, she might actually feel sorry for him. He glanced at his mother. The queen pursed her lips but did not intervene. He gave a curt nod and put his weapon away.
Prince Kerdan took a step toward Allyssa.
“Wait,” Odar blurted out, his voice ringing through the room. Everyone turned toward him. “Um . . .” he stuttered. “You don’t plan to kill her in front of Princess Shelene, do you?”
“I don’t mind witnessing an execution,” Shelene said, placing her hand on his arm.
Odar looked at Allyssa, his eyes sliding to her right toward the door on the east wall. She nodded once to indicate she understood. When he created a diversion, she would run.
“You may not mind, but I certainly do,” he replied. “In Fren, women are not involved in politics.” He kissed Shelene’s forehead and stood, pulling her to her feet alongside him. “Come. Let’s go someplace pleasant where we can talk.” He strategically stood in Jana’s line of sight, blocking the queen’s view of Allyssa.
Slowly backing away from everyone, Allyssa took a deep breath, turned, and sprinted toward the nearest door. Something whizzed through the air. She ducked, a knife flying by mere inches above her head. Prince Kerdan ordered two soldiers to retrieve her while the rest were to hold their positions.
Only ten feet separated her from the door when the two men approached. The one on her right swung his sword toward her torso. Instinct took over, and she spun out of the way. As he fell forward from the weight of his sword striking only air, she slammed her elbow on the base of his neck. Both sword and soldier crashed to the stone flooring. Hating to do so, Allyssa kicked his face, hoping the blow knocked him out.
Picking up the dropped sword, she swung the weapon, getting a feel for its weight. The second soldier laughed, but such misconceptions weren’t new to her. He lunged, and she swung, easily deflecting his blow. Not having time to waste, she went on the offensive, attacking her opponent with speed and precision. Her muscles protested, and the effort of remaining on her feet nearly did her in. Still, she forged on, refusing to give up.
The soldier chuckled. “I didn’t think princesses learned how to wield a sword.”
Barmy. Pretending there was someone behind him, she gasped. When he took a peek over his shoulder, she slammed the hilt of her sword against his head. There was a sickening crunch, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
She dropped the sword and sprinted the last few feet to the door. When she reached for the handle, Prince Kerdan materialized out of the shadows, blocking the way, a cold smile on his vicious face. She turned to her right, heading for a different exit. He latched onto her hair, yanking her backward against his armored body and ending all hope she had of escaping. His large hand wrapped around her neck, squeezing it. She clawed at his arm, but he didn’t even flinch. He lifted her off the ground as if she weighed nothing.
“Father,” Prince Kerdan called out, “this really is too much.” He laughed, the sound rumbling in his chest. Stars filled her vision—she needed air.
Odar’s face lost all color as the prince brought her forward, holding her dangling a couple of feet above the ground. At the sitting area, he released her, and she tumbled to the ground, gasping for precious air. She had never feared for her life like she did at that moment, crumpled on the ground next to the prince’s black boots, inhaling ragged breaths in an attempt to fill her starved lungs.
The king folded his arms. “Is there any particular reason she is still alive?”
“I’ve changed my mind, Father.”
As she knelt on the ground, Allyssa was certain she’d misheard him.
“While you allowed her to run halfway across the room in a pathetic attempt to escape, you changed your mind? Explain yourself.”
“I want her,” Prince Kerdan stated.
The queen’s head snapped up. “What?”
“This doesn’t concern you,” he said. Focusing on his father, he continued, “I want Princess Allyssa. I find her willpower entertaining and think she will provide plenty of amusement after spending long hours on the battlefield.”
Amusement? As in a jester or a whore?
“She is a prisoner of war—not a plaything,” Jana said, slamming her goblet on the table.
“Yet, you had her interrogated and tortured in the dungeon,” the prince replied. “Sounds like you got to play with her.”
“She is but a piece of trash.” Jana’s shoulders rose and fell in quick successions. “Her parents murdered my father and threw my mother off the throne. Allyssa deserves to be executed.”
“I don’t care what her parents did to your family.” Prince Kerdan shrugged. “She just fought two of my soldiers. I’m not going to allow her to die before I’ve enjoyed her tenacity.”
Still on the ground, afraid to move, Allyssa wished she could melt into the stone flooring and disappear. This could not be happening. She wanted to crawl over to Odar, latch on to his legs, and beg him to save her. When she closed her eyes, her father’s voice filled her head. Never let them see your fear—it will only give them fuel. Always remember, you are the leader of your own destiny. You can save yourself.
She forced herself to stand on shaking legs, almost losing her balance. “I am not a piece of property that can be bartered away. It is not up to you to decide if I should live or die.” She pointedly looked at the king and queen. “Or for you to possess me.” She forced herself to glance at the prince. “I belong to no one.”
Kerdan chuckled. “You see, Father, she is far too amusing. Do not deny me this request.”
“Let’s return her to the dungeon,” Odar suggested. “She may be of use later.”
The king smiled. “Even though you are marrying Princess Shelene, you have no say here in Russek.” He turned and motioned for two soldiers to approach. “Escort Princess Shelene, Prince Odar, and Prince Soma to the Dining Hall. The queen and I will be along shortly.”
The two soldiers stood on either side of Odar, hands clasped on the hilts of their swords.
“Is there a problem?” the king asked him.
Allyssa felt Kerdan tense behind her, preparing to fight. There was no reason for Odar to be injured or thrown in the dungeon on her account. Nothing he said or did could help her now.
“You best hurry along,” she said with as much disdain as she could muster. “Because if I have to look at you much longer, I’m going to lose my last meal.”
He closed his eyes a brief second before leaving the room.
“Does that mean I can have her?” Kerdan asked.
“She is a prisoner,” the queen said to the king. “You cannot allow her to be holed up with your son. I forbid it.”
The amusement vanished from Kerdan’s face. “It is not your place to decide what I can or cannot do. King Drenton is in charge, not you.”
Jana’s face turned an ugly shade of red. “Do you have any idea of how long I’ve waited to seek my revenge on this family?”
“We are on the brink of attacking Emperion,” the king said. “I promised you the Emperion throne, and you shall have it. As for the princess, Kerdan will have her.”
“I did not send my only son into enemy territory to capture her so your son could have a plaything.”
The king leaned toward her. “Why exactly did you send Soma after her?”
Jana flinched. “For you, darling.” She tried to smile, the act futile.
“Yet when I do as I please, you protest.” His eyes narrowed.
“Forgive me. I have overstepped my place. Do as you wish, even if it offends me.”
“Son,” the king said, “Princess Allyssa is yours. But keep a leash on her. She is still a prisoner.”
“Understood.” Kerdan reached out and snatched her wrist. “I’ve had a long day. It’s time I bathe and find some pleasure.” He looked at the queen. “It’s a shame when things don’t go as planned, isn’t it? Do not mess with me again. If you do, I will destroy you. And that goes for your lapdog, too.”
“Do not speak to me in such a vulgar manner,” Jana scoffed.
Kerdan turned and yanked Allyssa along behind him.
“Now, now,” the king said. “He is my son, heir, and a captain in my army. Some leeway must be given.”
Kerdan shoved the side door open and flung Allyssa into a dark corridor.