Chapter Sixteen
“Why is only every third torch lit?” Allyssa asked, walking beside Kerdan. They’d just returned from the military garrison, and she hadn’t managed to shake the cold from her bones. “Is Russek so poor you can’t afford to care for this castle?”
The prince huffed. “Our money is directed to our army, not unnecessary luxuries.” He walked in silence a moment before adding, “Besides, I can see well enough.”
“So can I.” She pulled the scratchy jacket away from her neck. “It’s just rather depressing and gloomy around here.” She could never live in a place like this.
“Stop fidgeting with your jacket.”
She was about to tell him to mind his own business when movement up ahead caught her attention. Soma slunk out of an adjacent hallway, leaning against the wall, casually waiting for them. Kerdan cursed under his breath, but she didn’t hear what he said because her mind flooded with hatred for this man who’d killed Grevik and brought her to Russek, which resulted in her being tortured. He deserved to be rotting in a dungeon, not leisurely strolling around the hallways.
“Relax,” the prince mumbled. She unclenched her fists and took a deep breath.
When they neared the assassin, Soma’s lips curled into a cruel smile, his eyes darkening. “My, my, my,” he purred. “I didn’t expect to find the princess out and about.”
Kerdan didn’t even blink—he kept walking, ignoring the vile man. Soma pushed off the wall and started walking on her free side. She shuddered, not wanting to be so close to him.
Kerdan abruptly stopped. “What do you want?” he demanded.
“What have the two of you been up to?” Soma looked her over, his eyes lingering on her soldier jacket.
“Who wants to know?” Kerdan leaned forward, his large frame making the assassin appear frail next to him.
“I do.” Again, Soma’s eyes roamed over her body, her throat. She took a step away from him, revulsion coating her skin.
“I don’t think so,” Kerdan said, folding his arms across his chest. “I bet the queen is upset things aren’t going her way, so she sent you to spy on me.”
Soma’s eyes flashed with fury. “Why do you want Allyssa? She is a small, pathetic thing of no value to you.”
“Why I want her, and what I’m doing with or to her, is none of your concern.” Kerdan looked sidelong at her before continuing. “Why have you taken such an interest in the princess? If she holds no value, why do you watch her?”
Soma’s cruel smile returned, contorting his face. “The strong-willed ones are always much more fun to play with.”
Not wanting him to sense her fear, she said, “I’m ashamed you’re my cousin.” The fact that they shared anything at all, especially blood, repulsed her. She turned and strode down the corridor, away from the assassin, needing to rid herself from the abhorrent man.
“Stop,” Kerdan called after her. She couldn’t stop. Couldn’t even look at Soma one more time. “I’ll throw a dagger in your back if you don’t stop.”
He didn’t mean it. He was only threatening her to prevent the assassin from running to the king and queen and telling them she was walking around the castle of her own free will. Why didn’t the prince leave Soma and join her? She stopped, her body shaking, but she refused to turn around.
The assassin chuckled. “I’ll do it for you.”
She heard the tiniest wisp of a knife being withdrawn. Years of practice with her father and Marek made her body react before her mind could even comprehend what was happening. She ducked, and a knife flew inches above her head, slamming against the wall next to her and clattering to the ground. Without thinking, she lunged, grabbing the weapon. She aimed for Soma’s stomach and threw the knife. He whirled to the side, the knife barely missing him. He clutched the hilt of his sword, about to unsheathe it, when Kerdan gripped his arm, stopping him.
“The princess is my prisoner. You have no authority to touch her.”
Soma released the hilt of his sword, shaking Kerdan off his arm. “She attacked me,” he snarled, his face alight with unsuppressed rage. “She will pay for her crime.”
Kerdan seized the front of Soma’s tunic, roughly shoving him against the wall and pinning him there. “Do not lay a finger on her.”
The assassin started laughing. “Careful, stepbrother. I have talents that not even you can fight against. Angering me is not in your best interest.”
Kerdan released him and moved several feet away, clenching and unclenching his hands. “Are you threatening me? The crown prince?” Allyssa realized he was trying to restrain himself from killing Soma right then and there. “I think it is you, little stepbrother, who should be mindful of your actions because I can, and I will, throw you in the dungeon if you ever threaten or try to kill me again.”
Soma straightened his rumpled tunic. “Give me the girl, and I will gladly leave you alone.” He peered at Allyssa, his dark eyes malicious. She wanted to aggravate him so he’d attack and Kerdan would kill him. He deserved to die.
“The journey here took weeks,” Kerdan replied. “You had many nights with the princess. What could you possibly want with her that you haven’t already had the opportunity to do?”
“Allyssa deserves to suffer,” Soma growled. “She’s a filthy, no-good whore.”
Her name on his lips was more than she could stomach. How dare he call her such a thing? She moved closer, wanting to do something to cause him pain, to hurt him the way he’d hurt her.
Kerdan’s shoulders stiffened. “Well…now she’s my no-good whore.” He placed his large hand on her stomach, shoving her backward, away from the assassin. “You need to stop blaming the princess for your family’s misfortune. All you have endured—it’s your mother’s fault.”
“Don’t speak of things you know nothing about.” Soma abruptly turned and walked away.
“Just so you know,” Kerdan shouted after him, “I blame you for my family’s misfortune.”
Allyssa went to put her hand on his shoulder to comfort him, but she stopped herself. Regardless of having a mutual goal to destroy Jana, they were still enemies. Not friends. She needed to remember that, stifling any feelings because that thought, that desire to help him, scared her more than the encounter with Soma.
***
The lock rattled, and the door flew open. Kerdan stepped inside his bedchamber, dragging a man with a sack covering his head and a dirty blanket wrapped around his body. He slammed the door shut and removed the sack.
Odar stood there, heaving deep breaths. Stunned, Allyssa slowly rose from her chair. Kerdan pulled the dirty blanket off and untied the rope that secured Odar’s wrists together.
Odar scanned her from head to toe, his eyes wild with rage. “Are you hurt?” he demanded. She shook her head. His eyes flashed, and then, in one fluid motion, he swung and punched Kerdan in the jaw. Before the prince could recover from the hit, Odar threw himself at him, and they tumbled to the ground, grappling with one another.
“Stop it!” she ordered, but neither man listened.
Odar rolled over, pulling Kerdan on top of him and wrapping his arm around the prince’s neck, squeezing. Kerdan twisted the bottom portion of his body, punching Odar’s side and breaking the chokehold.
“Run!” Odar yelled at her. “Get out of here while you can.”
Kerdan jumped to his feet and flung his arm around Allyssa’s torso, his chest heaving up and down against her back.
Odar scrambled to his knees, trying to catch his breath. “Don’t touch her,” he pleaded, his voice cracking, tears in his eyes. She had never seen him so vulnerable.
The prince chuckled. “So, she is your weak spot.”
Odar slowly got to his feet, his hands fisted at his sides.
“Enough,” she said. “I am nobody’s weak spot.” She craned her neck back, staring at Kerdan. “Let go.”
He released her. “Make sure your friend doesn’t attack me again.”
“Of course.” She focused on Odar, trying to ignore the towering man behind her. “Stand down, and give me a chance to explain.”
A mask of calm washed over Odar’s face, instantly transforming him into the cold man she’d first met in Emperion masquerading as Jarvik. She felt, rather than saw, Kerdan tense behind her. Unable to have the necessary conversation with the prince watching her every move, she turned to him and said gently, “Can I have a moment alone with Prince Odar?”
“That’s why I brought him here,” Kerdan replied, rubbing his jaw. “Although you should have warned me of his jealous nature beforehand. I could have avoided this unnecessary bruise.”
“What’s going on?” Odar demanded, looking from Allyssa to the prince and back again.
Kerdan moved to the door. “You have fifteen minutes,” he said. “Don’t let anyone in the room. When it’s time for Odar to go, I’ll return to escort him back.” Without waiting for an answer, he left.
They were finally alone. For the first time since Odar entered the room, she allowed herself to study him. Dark circles encased his eyes, and his clothes hung on him, indicating he had lost weight.
“Just tell me,” Odar ground out. “I want to know what the bastard did to you. Don’t even think of trying to spare my feelings.”
“Spare your feelings?” she asked, appalled by his comment. “What about my feelings?” He had the gall to look confused. She walked right up to him and slapped his face, the sound of her hitting him loud in the quiet room.
“What was that for?”
Tears filled her eyes. “Do you have any idea what I’ve been through? I’ve been in the bloody damned dungeon while you’ve been doing who knows what with Shelene!” She hadn’t meant to yell at him like that, but she couldn’t help it.
He held up both his hands. “Let me explain.”
She wiped the tears from her face. “I know you don’t care for her.” The look of relief on his face was apparent. “I know you did it to save yourself from being thrown in the dungeon.” Her voice cracked. She didn’t want to talk about what she went through, what was done to her, all the while he ate and drank with the people who tortured her.
“I did it for you, not me. I hoped to have access to information and ensure you weren’t executed. However, Jana doesn’t fully trust me, so I couldn’t help you as much as I anticipated.”
“It doesn’t matter now.”
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against his body. “I’m so sorry,” he mumbled into her hair. “I had no idea this would happen. I’ll never forgive myself.”
“It’s not your fault.” She tilted her face to his neck, feeling the warmth of his skin.
His hand stroked her hair. “When the prince came for me, I had no idea he was bringing me to see you.”
“I asked him to.” And he’d listened. He brought Odar here for her.
“The thought of him touching you makes me sick.” There was a sharp edge to his voice.
She pulled away to see his face. “Prince Kerdan has fed and clothed me. That is all.” He needed to believe the truth of her words.
“He hasn’t…forced you to do anything against your will?”
“No.” Although Kerdan allowed everyone to believe that was the case.
“Why are you in his bedchamber if not to…service his desires?”
Allyssa’s face turned red. At first, she too had mistakenly assumed that was why he’d brought her here. “I’m here so he can ensure my safety.”
Odar’s eyes narrowed. “Explain.”
“The prince wants to get rid of Jana and her children. He’s hinted at forming an alliance.”
“Between Russek and Emperion?”
“No. Between him and me.”
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 I couldn’t even protect you. If anything happened to you, I’d never forgive myself. I promise to get you out of here. You don’t need to form an alliance with your enemy.”
“Don’t you see—escaping Russek isn’t enough. If there’s a way to stop the war, I have to take it.”
“Your parents will find a way to stop the war. I will find a way to sneak you out of this castle and to safety.”
Why didn’t he understand the unique position she was in? “If I can do something to help my people, I’m going to do it.”
“You can’t help your people if 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 her shoulders, as if he could shake some sense into her.
But this wasn’t about what Odar wanted; this was about doing what was best for her kingdom. Emperion—her people—would always come first.
“I love your loyalty and devotion,” he said. “I even understand it. But you must ensure your survival.” He dropped his hands from her shoulders.
She lowered her voice. “While I don’t trust Kerdan, we have a common goal—to dethrone Jana. I believe we can work together to accomplish that.” Although she had no idea how they would get rid of her unless they killed her. Which would probably result in Allyssa’s own death. But if it meant saving her people, it was a small price to pay. “What do you know of him?”
“Not much.” Odar paced back and forth before the hearth. “Has he truly not laid a hand on you?”
She wanted to question him about the rumors she’d heard about him kissing Shelene, but she didn’t feel like discussing that right now, so she said, “No, he hasn’t.”
He stopped pacing and faced her. “I thought if I dangled my arm in front of Shelene and Jana, the focus would be on Fren and not on you. I thought I could bargain for your freedom.”
Instead, Kerdan had beaten him to it. “It wouldn’t have made a difference.” This wasn’t about Fren, its army, or amassing power. It was about destroying Emperion. It was about revenge.
“Fine. I’ll continue to pretend I’m going to marry Shelene. You find out if Kerdan will formally align with us.” He emphasized the word us. “However, if you have an opportunity to escape, I want you to take it. Get on a horse and go east, straight to Fren. I will deal with the ramifications here. You just get yourself to safety. This family is crazy, and I can’t think straight when you’re in danger.”
She went over to him, taking his hands in hers and squeezing them tightly. Being in his presence grounded her.
“There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to see you safe,” he said. He leaned down to kiss her when the door opened, and Kerdan came in.
“Time’s up,” he said. “I need to take Prince Odar back to the royal wing before someone realizes he’s missing.” His eyes zeroed in on their clasped hands.
Allyssa let go of Odar, taking a step away from him. “You’re staying in the royal wing?” she asked. Why wasn’t he in the guest wing?
“He’s staying in a private bedchamber next to Shelene’s rooms,” Kerdan clarified. “I assume Jana 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 would Odar go to maintain the ruse?
“Stay safe,” Odar whispered as he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Don’t forget what I told you—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 again concealing his identity.
***
Kerdan entered the bedchamber, carrying a tray piled high with food. He set it down on the low table and reached under the back of his tunic, pulling out a book and tossing it to Allyssa. She caught it and read the cover: A Secret Affair. She glanced up at him, raising her eyebrows. A romance book?
“I know what you’re thinking,” he mumbled, plopping on the chair across from her. “But it was all I could find that would be acceptable for you to read without raising suspicion.” Remaining in Kerdan’s room was rather boring, so she tucked the book on her lap, happy to have some form of entertainment for tomorrow.
He leaned forward and started slurping the soup. “Have what you want,” he said between bites, motioning to the tray.
“I take it you spend the vast majority of your time with your army and not at court?”
He nodded. “Why do you ask?”
“No reason.”
He wiped his mouth on his sleeve, his cheeks turning pink.
She grabbed a slice of bread and glanced out the dark window. Not a single star was visible. “Thank you for allowing me to see Prince Odar earlier today,” she said, peering at the tray. She wished Kerdan would bring hot tea; she was thoroughly sick of plain water.
“I hadn’t factored him into my plans,” he said around a mouthful of food. “However, if you want to include him, we can. He’s a good fighter and seems to be fairly intelligent.” He glanced up at her with a look she couldn’t quite discern.
He used the word we. Interesting word choice. Taking another bite of bread, trying to act as casual as possible, Allyssa said, “And what exactly is your plan?”
Kerdan leaned back in the chair, studying her. “What I say does not leave this room. Agreed?” She nodded. “If you so much as breathe a word of this to anyone, I will slit your throat.”
“Charming.”
“I don’t put on airs around you. There’s no need.”
“Airs? You just threatened to kill me!”
“Did I make my point?” he asked. She rolled her eyes and motioned for him to continue. “My father is besotted with Queen Jana. I’ve tried discussing my concerns with him—that she is here for Emperion and nothing more. My father, however, mistakenly believes she loves him. I told him that Soma attempted to kill me, but since I have no proof, he refuses to believe his stepchild would do something so reckless.” He smiled ruefully, and the irony wasn’t lost on her. “Despite my father’s actions, he loves me and wants me on the throne one day—not Jana’s offspring. That night I brought you before him was the first time I’ve seen him question Jana. It gives me hope that he’ll come to his senses. However, there is a war on the horizon, and I fear there will be another assassination attempt on my life…and on my father’s life, as well.”
She shivered, unable to imagine what would happen if Jana controlled the Russek Army. There would be no stopping her.
“As heir to the throne, there is little I can do without inciting a civil war,” he continued, tiptoeing around the line of treason. Even though he hated Jana, and for good reason, there was nothing he could do as the prince. Only the king had the power to dethrone her.
“Why seek my help?” Allyssa carefully asked, curling her legs up under her on the chair. The room suddenly seemed too quiet. Too intimate. Too warm.
He rubbed his tired face. “I’ve been searching for the right…opportunity. When I learned you underwent multiple interrogations without revealing the information Jana sought, a plan began to form. It wasn’t until I saw you fight my men that I knew you would be perfect for what I have in mind.”
When Kerdan didn’t extrapolate, she said, “What is it you think I can help you with?”
The lines in his face sharpened as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. “I want you to kill the queen, her mother, and her children. In return, I will get you out of Russek.”
His words rang in her ears. A pure and simple negotiation. Luckily, her parents were master negotiators, and she’d learned a thing or two through the years. She couldn’t appear too eager, and she had to hold her ground. Folding her hands on her lap, she tilted her head to the side and replied, “How can I trust you? What if I kill them and you turn around and murder me in return to place the blame on me so you can keep your hands clean of treason?”
He smiled and leaned back, crossing his legs. His fingers drummed lightly on the arm of the chair. “Their deaths need to appear to be an accident. No one can ever know—or suspect—otherwise.”
While she liked his offer, it wasn’t enough. “I want to stop the war.”
“Once the queen is dead, my father will be stricken with grief. There is a high likelihood I can convince him to give up his quest to conquer Emperion.”
“That’s not good enough.”
He frowned. “What about on your end?”
“What do you mean?”
“You must promise me that you will stop the war on your end as well. I won’t have your father storming into my kingdom and killing everyone as retribution for your kidnapping.”
“And if I guarantee to stop the war on my end?”
“Then I will do the same. No matter the cost.”
She wanted to scream with joy. He was offering a way out of Russek and to stop the bloody war. There was only one item to clarify. “And Odar?”
Kerdan sat there for a moment before saying, “I thought he lied to you? Said he was Jarvik when he was really Prince Odar?”
Her face warmed, and she fidgeted with her hands. “He did.”
“I’m sorry,” Kerdan said. “I didn’t mean to pry.”
Allyssa removed her hair ribbon and unbraided her hair, allowing it to cascade down around her shoulders. “Your point?”
He blinked two times before replying, “Even though he lied to you, you trust him?”
“Implicitly.”
“Fine,” he whispered. “He can help. In exchange, I’ll see you both safely out of Russek and ensure we don’t attack Emperion or Fren. I give you my word.”
“And I will kill the queen and her wretched family.” She would gladly finish what her mother should have done twenty years ago. And she would revel in their deaths. “I also give you my word.”