Cage of Deceit (Reign of Secrets Book 1)

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  His gaze moved from her lips to her eyes. For the first time in her life, she wanted to be kissed. He hastily took a step away from her.

  Realizing what had almost happened, she said, “I should go to my bedchamber.” Jarvik nodded as she stepped around him and practically ran down the hall to the laundry room.

  “Shoulders back,” Rema said. Allyssa couldn’t believe her mother had given her this dress to wear. It was the gown Rema had worn to her coronation ball in Emperion almost twenty years ago. “This is a special occasion,” Rema continued “You must look the part.”

  “The gown is stunning on you,” Mayra said.

  “Definitely something fit for the future empress,” Madelin added.

  The ivory-colored dress had a neckline that went straight across her chest and shoulders, leaving her neck and upper arms exposed. A diamond necklace rested above her bosom. Madelin had braided Allyssa’s hair and twisted it up and around her jewel-encrusted crown.

  “Where’s Prince Odar?” Allyssa asked. She hadn’t seen him all day and thought he’d be here by now, preparing for the announcement.

  “I saw Jarvik on his way to get him,” Mayra said.

  Rema adjusted Allyssa’s necklace. “Sweetheart,” she whispered, gaining her daughter’s attention. “Please focus. You’re about to make an important announcement to the city.”

  Allyssa nodded. Her mother was right. She should be going over her speech, not worrying about where the prince was.

  Darmik entered the small antechamber, his eyes settling on his daughter. “You look beautiful,” he said, kissing her on the cheek. “Are you ready to announce your upcoming marriage to Emperion?”

  “Speaking of which,” Allyssa said, “since I’m traveling to Fren, when will the wedding take place?”

  Rema rubbed her daughter’s arm. “We are working out all the details with the prince. Once it’s settled, we’ll let you know.”

  Prince Odar and Jarvik entered, wearing handsome tunics embroidered with Fren’s royal crest. Jarvik glanced briefly at Allyssa before going to Neco, who stood in the corner. The two of them began speaking in hushed whispers.

  “Stop staring,” Rema whispered. “You can’t afford to be distracted by the prince’s squire.”

  Allyssa felt her face heat up. She wanted to contradict her mother, but the look on Rema’s face said the subject was closed for now.

  “You and I will talk later, just the two of us,” Rema whispered.

  “Your Highness,” Prince Odar said, taking Allyssa’s hand and kissing the top of it.

  She forced herself to focus on him. “Are you ready?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” He offered her his arm, and she took it.

  Darmik cleared his throat and came before the royal couple. “We’re going to make this brief,” he said. “We must assume King Drenton of Russek has sent spies to our city to track our movements. He won’t be happy to learn our kingdom is joining forces with Fren.”

  “Make sure the two of you don’t look too serious,” Rema said, smiling at them. “You need to show everyone that you are happy, in love, and strong. We must give them reassurance before this war.”

  “Let’s go,” Darmik said, joining hands with Rema. Together, they walked onto the balcony, and the crowd below roared. Allyssa hoped that when she became empress, the people loved her as much as they loved her mother—that her decisions, policies, and actions deserved such loyalty.

  Odar patted Allyssa’s hand that rested on his arm. “Have I told you how utterly astonishing you look?”

  Thankfully, Mayra had applied some color to Allyssa’s lips, concealing the cut the assassin had given her last night. Without meaning to, she glanced at Jarvik again. He was staring right at her, and she quickly looked away.

  Rema began speaking to the crowd, telling them that she had a special announcement to make. “My lovely daughter, Princess Allyssa, your future empress, is engaged to Prince Odar of Fren. The marriage contract has been signed. After my daughter travels to Fren to meet with the king and queen, the ceremony will take place.”

  That was Allyssa’s cue. Together, she and Prince Odar walked onto the balcony, and the crowd roared their approval. She smiled and waved, just as she’d been trained to do. Glancing sidelong at Prince Odar, he was doing the same thing, and the people of Emperion loved it.

  Rema raised her hands, and the crowd went silent. Darmik briefly spoke of the upcoming war and Emperion’s mighty strength. Then he started talking about Fren and their lethal army. While her father spoke, Allyssa scanned the crowd, wondering if the assassin stood among them. Guards had checked everyone who entered the courtyard and weapons were confiscated. However, she was sure if the assassin wanted to be there fully armed, he’d find a way. Standing on the nearby rooftops were several archers intently watching the people below.

  The cheering resumed and Odar gently led Allyssa forward, closer to the railing. It was her turn to speak. The people started cheering Princess Allyssa and Prince Odar, shouting their approval of the union. What if the assassin decided to murder the royal family right now? He wanted an opportunity to kill them, and here he had it. Odar reassuringly squeezed her hand.

  Allyssa raised her hand, and everyone quieted down. “My dear people of Emperion,” she bellowed. “Thank you for coming today.” Fear coursed through her at the possibility of the assassin standing below, ready to throw a knife into her heart.

  “I’m deeply honored and humbled to be marrying Princess Allyssa,” Odar said, saving her from speaking. “Emperion is a beautiful kingdom with hard-working citizens and just rulers. I promise to serve you and to cherish this kingdom as my own.”

  The crowd shouted their approval. The guards ushered the royal family off the balcony and back into the antechamber.

  “I messed up my speech,” Allyssa moaned. She’d been so afraid of the assassin, it had paralyzed her.

  “It’s fine,” Odar consoled her.

  “It truly is,” Rema said, hugging her daughter. “The people needed to see you, and they did.”

  Jarvik came before her. “I’ll escort the prince and princess back to their chambers,” he said.

  “Thank you,” Rema replied as she left with Darmik and Neco.

  Allyssa, surrounded by Odar, Jarvik, her ladies-in-waiting, and two sets of guards, made her way through the corridors.

  Pulling free from the prince, she stopped walking. “Is something the matter?” Odar asked.

  She glanced to Marek, trying to figure out an excuse to leave the prince and his men so she could be alone for a little bit. She couldn’t claim training or riding—she wasn’t dressed appropriately for either activity.

  “Pardon the intrusion,” Madelin said. “Don’t forget you need to see the seamstress before the ball this evening.”

  Allyssa wanted to kiss her friend for her quick thinking. “Of course,” she said. “Prince Odar, Jarvik, if you’ll excuse me.” Without waiting for either one of them to respond, she turned and strode away.

  “I see you have some new guards,” Madelin observed.

  “Yes,” Allyssa replied. “Apparently, the Fren and Emperion guards must learn to work with one another.” She waved Marek closer, away from the other guards. “Where can I go to at least have the illusion of privacy?” she whispered.

  The corners of his lips lifted. “Certainly a dress fitting would accomplish that.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, well, I was thinking somewhere outside.”

  “I understand,” he said. “However, you might want to consider that your entire guard, along with some of Prince Odar’s men, heard you say you were going to a fitting. You might not want them to see you lying to your future husband. It won’t instill faith.”

  Allyssa sighed.

  “I’m sorry if I overstepped my place,” Marek quickly said.

  “No, I appreciate your candor, and you are correct.”

  When they reached the seamstress’s room, they found it v
oid of people. All the guards waited outside while Allyssa entered with her ladies-in-waiting. “I’ve never been in here before,” Allyssa said. The seamstress always came to her.

  “I guess we’ll just sit in here for fifteen minutes or so,” Madelin suggested.

  There were several worktables, and fabric was strewn all over the place. The room was on the ground level, and there were half a dozen windows along one of the walls.

  “With the ball tonight, you think there would be several people in here working,” Mayra said.

  Madelin laughed. “This is the seamstress for the royal family only,” she informed them. “If she’s not here, then she’s most likely in the Royal Chambers. She’s probably delivering the princess’s dress as we speak.”

  Marek stepped inside the room. “Your Highness, Jarvik needs to speak privately with you. He said it’s important.”

  “When?” Allyssa asked.

  “He’ll be here shortly.”

  Marek escorted Madelin and Mayra just outside the entrance. A moment later, Jarvik stealthily slipped inside the seamstress’s room, using an interior door Allyssa hadn’t noticed before now.

  Jarvik waved her over to the corner of the room so that if anyone passed by the entrance or peered inside, they wouldn’t be seen.

  “Do you think it wise to be meeting like this?” Allyssa asked. “I feel as if we’re doing something we shouldn’t be doing.”

  “That’s never stopped you before,” he said. “But to answer your question, I don’t want my soldiers that have been assigned to guard you to be aware of this conversation.”

  “What do you want to talk to me about?” Not that she minded him seeking her out; she was grateful for the opportunity to see him.

  “Let me ask you a question,” he said. “If you were in Grevik’s position, and the assassin tortured you and threatened your family, could you keep a secret even under such strenuous circumstances?”

  “If you’re concerned about him revealing my true identity, don’t be.”

  Jarvik leaned against the wall. “But if the roles were reversed, could you keep a secret that big?”

  Why did he care? “Of course,” she said. “I’d do anything to save my friend.”

  “What if the assassin threatened to kill your family?” he asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  He tilted his head back, gazing up at the ceiling. “I want you to know that I never meant to deceive you.”

  “I know,” she said. “You were only following Prince Odar’s orders.”

  He focused back on her face. “I need to tell you something, and you’re probably going to be upset with me.” His eyes flickered to the door and back to her. “But it’s going to have to wait.”

  She nodded, wondering what he had to tell her.

  “Right now, I’m concerned about the assassin.”

  She was too. The couple of hours she managed to sleep this morning had been plagued with visions of the man killing her parents.

  “Since he told you to return in two days if the royal family was still alive, I have to assume he’s going to attempt to assassinate you tonight at the ball.”

  “Do you think he’d be so bold?”

  Jarvik ran his hands through his hair, messing it up. “I don’t know, but we can’t risk it.”

  “What are you suggesting?”

  “We need to tell your father so he can notify the sentries on duty.”

  That was what she feared Jarvik would suggest. Telling her father meant she’d have to tell him everything. He was going to be livid; however, it was the right thing to do. She had to protect her parents. Her only fear was that she wouldn’t be able to save Grevik. How could she trade one life for another?

  “Allyssa?” Jarvik asked. He hesitantly placed his calloused hand on her bare shoulder, sending a jolt of warmth through her. “If you want, I’ll speak with the emperor now.”

  “Let me handle it,” she said.

  “What are you going to tell him?”

  “The truth.”

  He removed his hand.

  Allyssa turned to leave when she remembered something. “Grevik said it reminded him of that time we caught snake dealers.” She couldn’t believe she’d almost forgotten this important detail.

  “You caught snake dealers?” Jarvik asked.

  “No. That’s the problem. We never caught illegal snake traders. Grevik said it for a reason, although I haven’t figured out why.”

  “I agree,” he said. “It has to be of importance. If I think of anything, I’ll let you know.”

  She turned again to leave.

  “Wait.” She froze, not turning around to face him. “Allyssa,” Jarvik whispered her name like a soft caress, the feeling in the room suddenly shifting.

  She closed her eyes, knowing he stood a few feet behind her dressed in a handsome tunic with his hair a mess from him running his hands through it.

  Fabric rustled, and the sound of his breathing neared. Neither of them spoke. Her bare skin warmed from the closeness of him. She wanted to turn around to face him, but knew she couldn’t. Something light and soft like a feather caressed the base of her neck.

  “Allyssa,” he whispered in her ear. She shivered. His finger delicately traced a line from her shoulder down to her hand. “I’m afraid you’re locked in this cage of deceit with me. When you break free, you’re going to hate me.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Just … be careful today in case the assassin is lurking somewhere.”

  “Of course,” she said, her voice hoarse.

  “Are you armed?” He must have moved further back because she was suddenly cold, and he no longer spoke by her ear.

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Make sure you’re armed at all times—even at the ball tonight. Don’t eat anything unless it has gone through your food tasters twice.”

  “Why the sudden concern?” she asked, still not facing him. “I didn’t think you liked me.”

  There had to be more going on than just his desire to protect Prince Odar. Did he have feelings for her?

  “I don’t know,” he answered. “Let’s just say you’ve grown on me.”

  Biting her swollen lip, she finally decided to turn around to face him. Only, Jarvik was gone, the interior door slightly ajar.

  ***

  “Why did the squire want to speak to you?” Mayra asked as they walked down the hallway.

  “Oh,” Allyssa stuttered, not sure what to say. It would be wonderful to confide in her friends; however, admitting that she had any sort of attraction to Jarvik was dangerous. “He just wanted to go over some security measures.”

  Mayra glanced sideways at her. “Whatever you say.”

  “Let’s head outside,” Madelin suggested. “We’ve been to the seamstress. No one will find fault if we go to the courtyard.”

  “Are you all right?” Mayra asked. “You seem a little frazzled.”

  Allyssa stopped walking and turned to face her two ladies-in-waiting. “I’m sorry. I’m just distracted.” She wished she could tell them about Grevik. Glancing at her guards a respectful distance away, she was acutely aware of them watching her every move. Before she faced her father, she needed some time alone to organize her thoughts.

  “Is there anything we can do to help?” Madelin offered.

  “Why don’t the two of you prepare my dress for this evening? I want to stop by the library to grab a book. I’ll be along shortly.”

  “You’re always at the library,” Madelin commented, rolling her eyes.

  “She likes hiding in there,” Mayra added, playfully jabbing Madelin in the ribs.

  “If the two of you must know, I need a moment alone before I find my father to tell him something.”

  “What are you going to tell him?” Mayra asked.

  “I will explain everything later.” As Allyssa walked away, her guards trailing behind her, something tugged on her memory. Something about snakes, but she couldn
’t quite pinpoint the memory she was searching for.

  A group of courtiers stood up ahead, talking to one another. Striding straight down the hallway, Allyssa maintained her position in the middle, expecting them to move out of her way. She hated to be so bold, so forward, but it was the way a princess was expected to act. Keeping her head held high as she passed them, they all bowed and offered words of congratulations. Allyssa thanked them as she strode past, not stopping.

  When she reached the entrance to the library, she saw Jarvik and Odar sitting inside at a table with a pile of books between them. Several Fren soldiers sat at nearby tables, also combing through books. No one noticed her hovering in the doorway, so she backed up and proceeded down the hallway.

  Turning the corner, she headed to the north tower, throwing the door open and entering. She climbed the hundreds of stairs, her legs burning from exertion. When she reached the top, she opened the door and went outside, the cool air caressing her skin. Allyssa smiled, reveling in the feeling of being up so high. The sun warmed her skin, and a sense of calming peace filled her.

  The guards remained inside on the stairs. Marek pushed past them and came outside to join her.

  “Am I to have no peace?” She sighed.

  “There is no such thing with war looming on the horizon.”

  “I came here to be alone so I can think. I can’t do that with you here.”

  He leaned against the waist-high stone wall. “I can’t allow you to be out here alone.”

  They stood shoulder to shoulder in silence, overlooking the city.

  “What’s bothering you?” he asked.

  The image of Grevik bruised and strapped to the chair while the assassin sauntered around him, threatening him, was seared into her mind. She had to tell her father about the assassin, but she feared it would result in her never seeing Grevik again.

  “Is there something going on between you and Jarvik?” Marek asked, reaching out and clutching her hand. “I’m the head of your personal guard and one of your best friends. You can tell me.”

  “I came out here to organize my thoughts before I go and speak with my father.” She took a deep breath, holding tightly onto Marek’s hand. “Grevik is being held captive by an assassin sent here to kill the royal family.”