Kerdan flew to the ground, Felix on top of him. Kerdan wrapped his legs around his opponent, flipping him off his body and jumping to his feet.
Felix laughed. “Finally got myself a fighter!” The two men circled one another again.
Kerdan swung and punched toward his opponent’s face. Felix leaned to the side, Kerdan’s fist narrowly missing him. Felix threw a punch, but Kerdan blocked it and jabbed Felix’s stomach. Felix swung again. Kerdan ducked, avoiding the blow. They moved so quickly it was hard for Allyssa to see who had the upper hand. Kerdan wrapped his arm under and around Felix’s arm, twisting his body so he was behind him. Felix slammed his elbow into Kerdan’s side, trying to get out of the headlock. Kerdan didn’t hesitate. He kicked the back of Felix’s leg, sending him to his knees. The two men grappled on the ground, rolling on top of one another.
Kerdan managed to trap Felix in an arm lock. With a little pressure, he could snap Felix’s arm.
“Do you concede?” Kerdan demanded.
“No.”
Kerdan applied more pressure, and Felix screamed.
“Do you concede?” Kerdan asked again.
“Yes!”
Kerdan released him. The man overseeing the match declared Kerdan the winner, and the tavern erupted with people stomping and hooting. A vicious smile spread across Kerdan’s face as he raised his arms in victory.
Felix reluctantly left the ring, and the next man entered. Allyssa had no idea how many fights Kerdan had to endure, nor did she care. This was barbaric—fighting for sport. Yet... yet... she had snuck out of the castle to meet Grevik, a commoner, to put criminals in prison. As a princess, she had no business behaving in such a reckless manner. But she did it anyway. For the thrill, the freedom, to help her people. Perhaps this was Kerdan’s way of letting loose, of being himself.
The next fight began. Kerdan threw the first punch, his opponent easily deflecting it. The man managed to punch Kerdan’s cheek, his head jolting to the side, spit and blood spraying off his skin. Allyssa gripped the rope railing, unable to look away. After a quick succession of punches and blocks, both men flew to the ground. Kerdan managed to be on top, the man below him bucking wildly, trying to throw him off. Kerdan dug his knee into his opponent. A moment later, the man conceded the match.
The crowd went crazy, everyone screaming for Kerdan.
A whistle rang out. The tavern quieted down as a woman stood on the bar, holding her hands in the air. “My fellow Russeks,” she bellowed. “Fighting is over, drinking has begun.”
People all around Allyssa stomped on the floor while hooting and hollering. The room shook from the commotion. Were all taverns in Russek like this one? She had never experienced anything like this before. Several men donned aprons and carried round trays filled with mugs. They walked through the crowd, passing out drinks to those who paid.
Kerdan came to the edge of the ring and climbed out, three women immediately surrounding him. One had the audacity to wipe his face with her sleeve. Allyssa took a step back. When she was at Odar’s palace in Fren, he’d been callous and uncaring, flaunting other women in front of her. She refused to be treated that way ever again. Turning around, she marched toward the exit. There were so many people packed inside the tavern that she was jostled from side to side.
And then ran smack dab into Kerdan, her head hitting his bare chest. His hands clasped her shoulders, steadying her. “Where are you going?” he asked, sweat dripping down his face.
“I, uh, am leaving.” He didn’t have a shirt on. Bloody hell. Was he going to just stand there, holding her like that, half-naked in the middle of a tavern surrounded by strangers?
“Why?” He grinned. “Are you jealous?”
“No.” She huffed.
He chuckled. “I didn’t think it was possible for someone as confident as you to be jealous. Especially since you only consider me a friend.”
Instead of staring at his chest, she looked into his eyes, and her breath hitched. Suddenly, the tavern, and everyone in it, faded away. Kerdan was unlike anyone she had ever met before. Rough around the edges, big, burly, unrefined. So why did he elicit this response from her? Why was she jealous? Why did she care? Standing in such an intimate manner was highly inappropriate. Yet, she couldn’t make herself move away from him.
The way his eyes dissected her every move, the way he always seemed to know what she was thinking and feeling, and the way he treated her like an equal made her blood rush.
“I wasn’t—I’m not—jealous. I just wanted something to drink.” The lie rolled off her tongue before she even realized what she was saying.
“Oh.” He released her, and the sounds, smells, and noises of the room came flooding back. “Let’s get you something to drink then.” He abruptly turned and weaved between the people until he found a server. He paid for two mugs, downing half of one before handing the other to Allyssa.
People slapped Kerdan on his shoulder, congratulating him for his wins. Allyssa stood and sipped her drink, not sure what to say or do since things were so vastly different here in Russek. No one seemed bothered by her skin or hair color. If anything, they welcomed her as one of their own. Would Emperions be so accommodating?
A group of musicians started playing and people cheered. “Now for the fun part,” Kerdan said.
“What?” Hadn’t the fighting been enough excitement for one evening?
“Dancing. And not that stuff they do at court—that’s for pansies. I’m talking about good old-fashioned dancing.”
People flooded into the rings where the fighting had taken place. They paired up and moved to the music, stomping their feet and clapping. It was unlike anything Allyssa had seen before.
“Drink up,” Kerdan said. “Can’t let that go to waste.”
She took a few more sips before setting the mug down. Kerdan grabbed her hand, pulling her after him into one of the rings.
“Where’s your shirt?” she asked, eyeing him.
He shrugged. “Took it off before the fight.”
She raised an eyebrow. Did he seriously intend to remain half-naked for the rest of the night? Her face warmed. She tried to keep her eyes focused on his face and not his torso. But it was hard.
They stood across from one another. Allyssa held her head high, trying to exude confidence and mimic those around her. Two steps to the right, stomp, two to the left, another stomp, clap three times, and then spin on one foot. Very good. She had it down.
Kerdan moved with elegance and grace. His hair came loose, falling around his face. It made him look younger, less harsh. An odd feeling overcame Allyssa. She wished his mother were still alive to see the man he had become. Even though she hadn’t known her, Allyssa had a feeling his mother would have been proud of him.
“Having fun?” he asked.
“I am.” She smiled, and the lines around his eyes softened.
“We should probably head back after the next dance.”
When was the last time he let loose like this? Before she arrived in Clovek, there were rumors Kerdan had been fighting in Melenia. Then Soma poisoned Kerdan, forcing him to return to the castle. He seemed to always be working, fighting, and protecting his people. Did he ever have a chance to be himself? Probably not. They were both defined by their positions. They had duties and carried the weight of the crown.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
She shook her head, not wanting to talk about it right now. Instead, she wanted to stay the way they were. People instead of symbols.
The musicians started playing a slow song. Many people left the rings to refill their mugs. Kerdan took hold of Allyssa’s wrist, pulling her closer so their torsos touched. “Dance with me,” he murmured, sending a wave of fire through her body.
“I’m afraid,” she admitted, unable to believe she’d said that out loud.
“Of me?” he asked, concern clouding his face. She shook her head. “Of what then?” His hand slid to her back, pulling her even closer against him.
“Falling.” She didn’t want to have her heart broken again. Allyssa leaned her head on his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He stiffened and then relaxed. “Trusting someone else is hard.”
She’d fought so hard not to think of him as anything other than a friend. Glancing up into his eyes, she saw him watching her. Could she marry this man? Their friendship could evolve into a deeper relationship. Perhaps they’d even be the best of friends. But what about love? Her heart fluttered at the thought.
“I’d very much like to kiss you,” he admitted.
She blinked, certain she’d heard him wrong.
“Don’t look so surprised.” He smiled. “Never mind. Sorry I said anything at all.” He looked away.
Shock rolled through her. Because... because she sort of wanted to kiss him too.
The song ended, and a fast tune began. People crowded to the dancing areas. What was she doing dancing so intimately when they had a mission to accomplish? It was too hot; there were too many people. She needed fresh air before she did something she couldn’t take back.
“Excuse me,” she said, letting go of him and rushing out of the ring, bumping into people in her haste to leave. Throwing the door open, she stepped out into the night, breathing in the crisp air. Her head pounded. She must have drunk more alcohol than she realized.
“Allyssa!” Kerdan called out after her.
She slowed but kept walking down the street, allowing him to catch up.
“I didn’t mean to scare you or push you away. I got lost in the moment. I shouldn’t have tried to force something that clearly isn’t there, or you’re not ready for. It won’t happen again.” His voice was gruff.
She stopped and looked up at him. How had she not seen it, realized it, before? “I’ve only ever kissed one man, and he broke my heart. I’m scared of letting go, of giving you my heart.” Of trusting someone so completely.
Kerdan grabbed her hand, pulling her away from the main road and between two buildings. “What are you saying?” he asked, his voice gravelly.
The moonlight shone bright overhead. “I want to kiss you.”
His lips slammed down on hers, his tongue filling her mouth, the faintest taste of ale on him. Allyssa’s lips moved with his. Reaching up, she laced her fingers into the long locks of his hair, pulling his head closer to hers, as if she could melt them together. His hands slid around her waist, yanking her body against his. His lips were hard, rough, wanting, needing. She could barely breathe. Even though it was cold out, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin. Allyssa’s fingers trailed down his neck, along his shoulders, and to his chest. He growled, the sound startling her.
He leaned back a few inches, breathing heavily. “I’m sorry,” he said with a wry smile. “I got a little carried away.”
Blimey. She wasn’t done with him. She wanted more. A lot more. Slipping her fingers into the waist of his pants, she tugged him closer and tilted her head up, her lips brushing his. This time, the kiss was slower with less urgency. He lifted her up. Without hesitation, she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. Her back thudded against the building as Kerdan pinned her in place. All she could think about, feel, see, and smell was Kerdan. Her body felt like it was on fire as he kissed her neck, his teeth nipping at her ear before returning to her mouth. She never imagined she would feel this way about him.
He pulled away, glancing at the end of the buildings to the street where a man passed by. “We should go,” he whispered.
“No.” She groaned as he set her back on her feet.
“How much did you drink?” Kerdan asked. He held her hand as they walked toward the northern edge of the town.
The question surprised her. “Why?”
“I’m afraid your judgment is impaired by alcohol.” He squeezed her hand.
“Yet, you still readily kissed me.” She smacked his chest, trying not to laugh.
“I thought it might be the only chance I had. And once, just once, I wanted to know what it felt like to kiss you.” He kept his focus straight ahead, not looking her way.
Her amusement at his audacity faded. How long had he felt this way? This entire time, she’d only thought of him as a friend. Over the past few weeks, she’d felt a shift, but hadn’t understood what it was. Didn’t want to admit what she was experiencing. Didn’t want to be the only one who fell.
When they reached the edge of town, Kerdan surveyed the area to make sure no one was watching them. Once satisfied, he led the way into the forest.
“I wonder what my father will think,” Allyssa mused, following close behind him.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you’re returning to camp half-naked, and I can’t stop smiling.” Neither her father, Neco, nor Nathenek would take too kindly to his appearance. And Odar. She stumbled but caught herself. How would they explain what happened at the tavern? He’d fought for sport and lost his shirt. Darmik would never believe them. She bumped into Kerdan’s back. He’d stopped walking, and she hadn’t even noticed.
“Can’t stop smiling?” he questioned. “Because you’re happy or you anticipate your father walloping my arse?”
“I’m the happiest I’ve been since you plucked me out of the dungeon.” Logically, Allyssa had known she would recover from the ordeal. Yet, she’d wondered if she would ever feel normal again after being tortured, nearly killed, and having her heart broken. She feared she’d never be the same. And while that was true to an extent—she wasn’t the same person she was before this began—it didn’t mean she was less of a person. Now she was stronger, more confident, and understood a great deal about the world around her.
Which meant she knew what she was doing with Kerdan; right now, that was letting him in. Not because they were going to align their kingdoms or save his people, but because she liked and cared for him. The realization shocked and comforted her.
He turned around and brought his hands up, cupping her cheeks. The trees were so thick, little moonlight reached them, making it hard to see his face. “Allyssa.” Her name rolled off his tongue, sending a chill through her body. “When I took you from the dungeon, I never imagined we’d be here like this. You have no idea how you’ve turned my world upside down. All I cared about was commanding the army, fighting battles, and seeking revenge on Jana. Then you came blasting into my life, throwing me off balance. I never wanted to find love. I thought women were a nuisance. They got in my way. I was so solely focused on my end goal—killing Jana—that I had forgotten to live.” He chuckled, the sound reverberating through his chest. “All my mother wanted was for me to find someone like you. I thought she was a dreamer. Then, when she died, the dream died with her. So when you came barreling into my world, you changed everything. You saved me.”
His admission turned her legs to butter. The only thing keeping her upright was his hold on her. No one had ever said something so kind, so powerful, and so true to her before. Kerdan tilted his head, lowering his lips to hers. He kissed her slowly, causing a deep need to build in her body. When she placed her hands on his chest, she could feel his heart pounding. She slid her hands over his smooth skin, marveling at how warm he was even though the night air was chilly.
“We should get back to camp,” Kerdan said between kisses, “before someone comes looking for us.”
“I think we can spare five more minutes.” She didn’t want him to let go—didn’t want this night to end.
“My self-control won’t last that long.”
Kerdan wanted her that way? While she knew Odar had enjoyed kissing her, she’d never felt desired like she did right now.
“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” he said, sliding his hands down her arms. “It has been torture being around you without being with you.” He took hold of her hand and led the way through the forest toward their camp.
“Really?” she asked. While staying with him in Clovek, she never got the impression he was attracted to her.
“From the moment I saw you wield a sword, I’ve wanted to throw you on my bed and have my way with you.”
Holy hell. Had he seriously just said that to her?
A twig snapped, and Kerdan froze. A chill descended over the forest. Allyssa no longer heard an owl hooting or any of the other noises that had been present only moments before. Neither of them moved as they surveyed the area. She didn’t see anything unusual. Yet, something felt wrong. Releasing Kerdan’s hand, she reached down and withdrew the dagger from her boot.
“We’re surrounded,” Kerdan whispered.
“By what?” Wolves?
“Soldiers,” he said flatly. “Too many for us to overtake.”
How was that possible? In town, no one spoke of soldiers being in the area. Slowly, Allyssa turned so she was back to back with Kerdan. “What do you want to do? Fight?”
“No. Put your weapon away and do exactly as they say. Once we know what the situation is, we can consider our options.”
The situation. As in whether these Russek soldiers had discovered her father and the rest of their party. Was it an accident that these men had come upon them? Or was there a more elaborate plot at play here? While these soldiers would keep Allyssa alive for Jana, what about Kerdan? “Are you sure?”
“Trust me. I have a plan for either scenario.”
“Okay.” She sheathed her weapon, placing her trust in him.
“I am Prince Kerdan,” he bellowed. “I order you to stand down.”
She still couldn’t see any of the soldiers—but she could feel their presence not far away. Leaves rustled as someone approached.
“Sorry, Your Highness,” a man said. “The queen has ordered us to bring you in for killing the king. You’ve been charged with treason.”
Kerdan stalked up to the man until they were toe to toe. “The queen killed my father. It is she who should be arrested for treason.”
“It’s not our place to make that determination,” the man said. “We have orders, and we will follow them.” His sword glinted in the moonlight.
Five dozen men emerged from behind trees and under bushes. How had Allyssa and Kerdan walked into this trap? Or had these soldiers surrounded them while they were kissing?
She turned and walked away from Kerdan, heading toward the village. The soldiers she walked toward shifted, unsheathing swords. When she neared them, she said, “Let me pass.”
The man who had been speaking to Kerdan said, “We have orders to take you in, too.”
“Me?” She spoke in her best Russek accent. “Why would the queen be interested in a whore?” No one spoke, but she could feel them assessing her. “I was at a tavern in town and saw this man fighting. I liked what I saw and offered him my services. I didn’t know he was the prince. Let me go home to my family. It’s late, and I’m tired.” Nathenek would appreciate this lie. He’d always told her to say what people expect to hear, no matter how degrading.
“What should we do?” one of the soldiers asked.
“Take her. Once we have the others, we’ll know whether she is the princess or a whore.”
Allyssa’s heart pounded. That meant they knew her father and Odar were in this forest, but hadn’t captured them yet. Taking a huge breath, she screamed.