“Your father and I had a bet,” Rema whispered. “He thought you’d lose your temper and yell at the lot of them.”
Allyssa snorted. “And you didn’t?” she asked, surprised.
“That’s not to say I don’t think you’ll lose it in the future, but I knew you’d be able to remain composed the first time.”
Allyssa laughed.
“Thanks to you, I won a new horse.” Rema smiled.
“You bet a horse?”
“You know your father,” Rema mused. “He jumped at the chance to acquire a new stallion. Too bad he lost.”
✧
Sitting in the Throne Room for hours, listening to the representatives from each of the five regions in Emperion drone on and on about the state of their land, nearly drove Allyssa to tears with boredom. She didn’t know how her mother and father sat there listening to this once a week.
At least when she snuck out with Grevik, she was making changes for the better by helping citizens and ensuring criminals were put in jail. It felt like everyone who came to see the empress and emperor wanted or needed something from them. It was utterly exhausting, yet Rema managed to sit there with a kind smile, listening. Allyssa’s father, Darmik, at least appeared a little antsy. He preferred managing the army to politics.
When it was finally over hours later, the royal family stood and strode down the aisle. Allyssa mimicked her mother and smiled at the representatives, who all bowed. The second she exited the room, she moaned.
Her father’s eyes sliced over to her. “There are still courtiers lurking in the hallways,” he mumbled so only she could hear. “Behave.”
She rounded her shoulders and plastered the never-ending smile back on her face. “Of course,” she said. “Forgive me.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“I’m going riding,” Rema announced. “I have a new horse I need to become acquainted with.”
Allyssa knew her mother needed to break free from this place on occasion as well.
“I’ll accompany you,” Darmik said, taking his wife’s arm and escorting her down the hallway.
Sighing, Allyssa headed toward the Royal Chambers, wanting nothing more than to crawl in bed for a few hours. She needed to have enough energy to not only make it through the ridiculous ball tonight, but also to meet Grevik afterwards. If she didn’t have the chance to leave the castle for a bit, she’d go stark raving mad.
Marek, the head of her personal guard, stepped next to her. He wore his light armor with his gleaming sword strapped to his waist. “Care to spar for an hour before you dress for the ball?” he asked.
She fought a smile. He knew she loved to fight. After all, they’d grown up together sparring, especially since his father and hers were best friends. As tempting as his offer was, her body couldn’t withstand the physical exertion right now.
“Are you sure you’re ready for me to beat you again?” she teased.
He chuckled. “I let you win.”
“As much as I would enjoy the opportunity to trounce you, I have too many things to do before the ball this evening,” she said. “However, I do believe I will have some free time tomorrow?”
“I look forward to proving you wrong. Again,” Marek said, smiling at her.
The head of her guard was rather handsome, she supposed. She’d grown up with him and his younger sister Mayra. Both of them had dark hair and eyes. Mayra was small and slim like her mother Ellie, whereas Marek was tall and lean just like his father Neco.
When Allyssa caught sight of a group of courtiers up ahead, she stiffened. She hoped the powder still concealed the nasty bruise on her cheek. Marek hadn’t said anything to her about it, but then again, he knew better. Holding her chin high, she glided down the corridor. The pristine leaded glass windows allowed the sun to shine brightly through. As she approached the group, everyone bowed. Allyssa kindly smiled at her subjects. She was the heir to the throne, and they were supposedly beneath her. Yet . . . yet . . . she felt like a child playing at a game she knew nothing about. These people had been navigating court for years. They each had an agenda, wanted or needed something, and they were all here for a reason.
Allyssa kept walking, not wanting to give them the opportunity to talk to her. When she rounded the corner, she finally relaxed her shoulders.
✧
A ball was nothing unusual since several were held each season. Rema insisted it was good policy to please the nobility. Allyssa had grown up attending these functions. At first, she’d been bedazzled by the glittering chandeliers, the fine clothing, and the ornate flowers. But after attending so many balls, they began to lose their appeal. However, at every single one, she made sure no one knew how she really felt. She smiled at, danced with, and listened to her subjects. Her parents had groomed her well.
Her father took her hand, leading her to the dais at the front of the room. That was when she caught sight of the decorations. “Are the flowers from the main courtyard?” she asked, stifling a laugh.
“I believe so. We didn’t have time to have them brought in.”
“Hopefully, no one will notice. We wouldn’t want to offend the prince from Fia,” she sardonically replied.
Darmik patted her hand. “Care to tell me what happened to your face?” he asked under his breath. Without a pause, he expertly led her through the throng of people who parted and bowed as they passed by.
Of course he’d notice. “It’s silly,” she replied, keeping a smile on her face. “An accident.”
“Really?” he said, playfully pinching her arm. He knew she was lying. Being Commander for the army had taught him to notice such details and had made him far too observant.
“I assure you, it’s nothing.” She smiled up at him. If she didn’t convince her father, he’d send one of her guards to stand inside her bedchamber to watch her at all times. As it was now, having four guards posted outside was more than enough. Having someone actually inside her room would be beyond stifling. “It’s embarrassing,” she muttered.
“Sparring with Marek?” he asked, amused.
She allowed her face to redden, as if ashamed. Darmik chuckled, and Allyssa let him believe the lie. With any luck, he wouldn’t question Marek about it. “Please, let it go,” she begged.
Her father patted her hand again when they reached the dais. Allyssa stood at the front of the room while he left to escort Rema inside. When her parents made their entrance, the room went utterly silent. Everyone loved the empress. She had ascended to the throne at the age of eighteen and managed to take a kingdom devoted to war and turn it into the most prosperous and peaceful kingdom on the continent.
Allyssa hoped she could be half the ruler her mother was.
She peered down at her red gown. Rema had insisted she wear red—the color of Emperion. She didn’t mind, actually. It set off her long, chestnut hair and blue eyes, which almost made her look pretty. Almost. She’d never be beautiful like her mother, though.
After her parents joined her on the dais, Prince Zek from Fia was announced. He was too tall and skinny for her liking. His face was pleasant enough—light brown hair with soft brown eyes. The prince bowed before her and asked for the first dance, as was custom. Of course, she smiled and obliged. His sweaty hand took hers, and they danced.
Surprisingly, he was a good dancer. The problem came when the prince opened his mouth. He never had anything interesting to say—he always discussed his kingdom’s spice trade, or the weather, or the fact that he was in line to inherit the throne of Fia.
Thankfully, the song ended and a noble courtier immediately swept in and asked for a turn. She danced for about an hour with various partners, each conversing about his land, wealth, and what he could offer the crown. Once she’d had enough, she claimed she needed to rest. Allyssa slipped out of the side door, hoping no one noticed.
Marek came up behind her. “Already retiring for the night?”
“Yes,” she said, faking a yawn. “I’m exhausted.”
He
silently escorted her to the royal wing where Mayra and Madelin were dutifully waiting in her bedchamber.
“Did you even dance?” Madelin asked.
“Of course I did,” Allyssa replied.
“If I were you,” Madelin continued, “I’d dance with every available man.” She spun around the room, dancing with an invisible partner.
Mayra shook her head. “It’s a good thing she’s not you, then. She’s a princess, not a barmaid.”
Madelin stopped in front of Mayra, placing her hands on her hips. “Excuse me?”
“Girls,” Allyssa said, exasperated. She needed to hurry up or she would be late. “My gown.”
Both immediately came over and helped her remove the dress. After Allyssa was in her nightclothes, her ladies-in-waiting left. Knowing her guards stood watch just outside her door, she quietly changed, pulling on wool pants and a tunic.
Grabbing her cape, she tied it on, making sure the hood concealed her hair and face. Satisfied with her disguise, she opened the laundry chute and climbed in. After closing the small, wooden door behind her, she slid down in complete darkness, landing in a pile of clothes and bed linens at the bottom. Carefully peering around, she made sure no one was about at this late hour. Certain it was clear, she climbed out and hurried from the room. Allyssa exited the castle via the servants’ entrance.
She was free. Finally free.
Discover the rest of the story in Cage of Deceit,
Book One of the Reign of Secrets series
Available now!
Burning Shadows Page 27
