“If something goes wrong, he can blame me, the princess of Russek’s enemy staying right here in the castle. It is the perfect cover story.” It was what she would do in his situation. She wasn’t stupid. She knew the risks and felt they were worth it.
He leaned back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. “We’re overlooking something.”
“He just wants them dead,” she said, unable to reveal Kerdan’s hatred for Jana, his suspicion that Jana killed his mother in order to take the throne. Allyssa had promised secrecy in that room and intended to keep that promise.
“And once we dispose of them, then what?”
“The war ends. He promised me he would stop it.” Jana wanted Emperion, not the king. He was only invading to appease her.
“They’ve already conquered Melenia. Do you honestly think Jana’s death will end the war? And if so, what about Kricok, Landania, and Fia?”
“Those kingdoms now fall under the Emperion Empire. I don’t know what will happen to Melenia.” And Russek had only taken Melenia to gain soldiers to ensure they had an advantage when they attacked Emperion. Jana was the problem, and if they removed her, the problem would be resolved.
Odar said, “You claim this is all about revenge.”
“It is. Jana will stop at nothing to see my family destroyed.”
“I agree. But…what if there’s more to it than that? What if the king and Kerdan have another agenda?”
Why did Odar have to overthink this? Or had he heard something, seen something that fueled his suspicions? “Kerdan hasn’t indicated anything else is going on to me.”
“Promise me something.” She nodded. “Don’t let your guard down or trust anyone here. You can’t be swayed by how…nice Prince Kerdan is treating you. He is a captain in the Russek Army and is just as ruthless as his father. Don’t underestimate him.”
On the exterior, Kerdan appeared every bit as bloodthirsty as the king. However, he was a good man on the inside who would one day be a great leader. He wore masks—just like she did. Just like Odar did. “I understand your concern. But it’s not necessary.”
“You’re wrong. We’re a means to an end. Puppets in this performance.”
“If that’s what it takes to get us out of Russek and stop the war, then so be it.”
“Sometimes, you’re too quick to act and reckless.”
Allyssa stiffened. She hadn’t made the bargain with Kerdan without thinking it through. She wasn’t a fool. “You don’t have to participate in the plan. Go back to Shelene and play the doting fiancé.”
He ignored her outburst, as if he hadn’t heard a word of it. “And you’re loyal beyond belief. You’d walk through fire for those you love.”
“Your point?” she snapped. Once they married, would all their conversations be so heated and exhausting?
He reached up, cupping her cheek. “Both Prince Kerdan and Soma know I care for you. What if they use that against us? All either one has to do is put a knife to your throat, and I’m powerless.”
Allyssa understood his fear—she had it too. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for Odar, her parents, or her kingdom. That was how love worked. She knew her heart couldn’t stay locked in a cage, shielded from everything. “It’s not like you can stop loving me just to protect me,” she whispered. “Love doesn’t work that way.” He closed his eyes. “Odar?” she asked, wondering what he was thinking. He wasn’t…afraid…to love her, was he?
“I should go.” He abruptly stood and went to the door, leaving her feeling cold and alone. As if she was indeed missing something.
***
“When you said you would show me where the bridge is located, this isn’t the excursion I had in mind,” Allyssa said, shivering as she glanced up at the darkening sky. Thick gray clouds rolled in, promising more snow.
“You honestly didn’t think we’d travel with my soldiers, did you?” He gave her a look that implied the mere idea reeked of stupidity.
She rolled her eyes. She didn’t think they would travel with his men—not when they were going to the place where she planned to murder the royal family. However, she most certainly didn’t think they would travel on foot through the thick snow to the bridge. Nor did she anticipate traveling with four other men on their way to the local market with a cart loaded with goods to sell.
“Couldn’t we have ridden on horseback?” Her blasted feet were going numb despite the thick leather boots and wool socks she wore.
“Around here,” Kerdan responded, “commoners don’t own horses. Only the army and those with extreme wealth do.”
“You mean to tell me people walk from one town to another?” That would take forever and didn’t seem very efficient.
“Shortly after Jana weaseled her way into my father’s life, she recommended every soldier be mounted. So, the army commandeered as many horses as they could.”
“That’s horrible.” Kerdan had said that when Jana took the throne, Russek began sinking into poverty. Now Allyssa was starting to understand why. The prince’s face looked haunted, so she tried changing the subject. “How far is the town?”
Kerdan hitched the sack he carried higher on his back. “About two miles.”
Two bloody miles. “This is insane.” She did not want to hike two miles through the snow when the sky kept getting darker, indicating another snowstorm would arrive at any moment.
“There are a dozen towns in Clovek, all roughly two miles from the castle. Far enough away that the castle doesn’t feel threatened, yet close enough for protection in case we’re attacked.”
No wonder no one ever attacked Russek. It wasn’t worth braving the weather. “Have you ever been out of Russek?” she asked, wondering how much of the world he’d seen. She relied largely on the accounts of her parents and tutors to understand the kingdoms around her.
“No. My father wants me here.”
There were so many questions she wanted to ask him about his education, training, and what he envisioned in his future. However, asking such things implied friendship or intimacy; which they didn’t have.
They continued walking behind the small cart being pulled by two of Kerdan’s men. He assured her they were loyal to him and wouldn’t ask any questions. Two more of his men traveled twenty or so feet behind them. They were all similarly dressed in trousers and tunics with knit caps and gloves. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a scarf and snot dripped from her nose. Lovely.
“You’re probably not used to looking like a commoner,” Kerdan observed.
“Being dressed like this feels like home.” Memories of her and Grevik hanging out in taverns, running through the city, and putting criminals behind bars surfaced. She had tried so hard to keep thoughts of him at bay. It was difficult to believe he was dead. That he would never work in the City Guard like his father. And worse, she was responsible for his death. He would be alive if he hadn’t been her friend. If Soma hadn’t murdered him to get to her.
“What’s the matter?” Kerdan asked, his deep voice startling her.
“Nothing.” She wiped her nose on her glove.
“We’re almost there. The town is just beyond that rise.” He pointed up ahead. “When we get into the town, don’t use my name.”
This journey suddenly became more interesting. “What should I call you?”
“Nothing. I don’t want you speaking at all. Your skin color is bad enough. If you talk, you will reveal your southern heritage.”
What an arrogant prick. “I don’t speak with an accent; you do. And what do you mean about my skin color being bad?” She was darker than every Russek person she’d seen, but they all lived where the sun rarely shone. And she was used to having darker skin than most—she took after her father. “I’m the same color as Jana.”
“You did not just compare yourself to that goat.” He shuddered. She laughed at Kerdan’s aversion to her heritage. “As I was saying,” he continued, “don’t speak, and make sure you follow my lead. We’re merchants from th
e castle selling baked goods.” He pulled the neckline of his tunic away from his throat.
“Itchy?” she asked. She hated wool and missed the silky clothing she was used to wearing back home. Blasted. Did she just say she missed the luxuries of court?
“Will you focus?” he scolded her.
She was focusing—on how bloody cold it was. As far as Kerdan was concerned, he needn’t worry. She would blend in well enough and knew what to do to maintain their cover.
She had seen poverty before. Her mother often took her to the capital where they donated food to the shelters to help those in need. However, that did not prepare her for what she saw as she descended the hill and entered the town. Dinky wooden structures, in no position to keep out the cold, dominated the barren landscape. As they got closer to the town’s center, people milled about dressed in worn clothing, the colors muted and matching the buildings and dirt roads. As it was considered part of the capital, Allyssa hadn’t expected the entire town to be so destitute.
They came to the market situated around a large well. People sold various goods, the selection dismal. Kerdan’s two men pulled the cart to the west side and set it down between two carts similarly sized. People immediately swarmed over to it, buying the bread and muffins they sold.
“It’s the cheapest,” Kerdan explained. “We can’t give it away without drawing suspicion, but we can sell it below market value, pretending not to know any better.”
Children, faces dirty and clothes patched together, begged for a taste. One of Kerdan’s men had a loaf of bread, and he tore pieces off for each of them to try.
“I want to help,” Allyssa said, taking a step toward the cart.
Kerdan grabbed her arm. “You will be helping—by coming with me.” He led her through the crowd, past several shabby buildings, and to the outskirts of the drab town. A few trees were scattered along the riverbank, the water half frozen over.
“Let’s sit and talk.” He pointed to a fallen tree trunk.
She climbed on it and sat, her feet dangling over the side. He jumped on and sat next to her. The prince looked so much younger without the black paint swirled over his face. She didn’t consider him to be a handsome man, but he certainly looked interesting. His square face accentuated by his thick eyebrows and long, dark hair made his skin appear even paler than usual. She didn’t realize how much darker her skin was until he had pointed it out.
“That’s the bridge.” He nodded up ahead. About sixty feet away, a wooden bridge crossed over the river. It was wide enough for a carriage to easily traverse.
“And how do you expect Odar and me to bring it down?” There were only two of them, and the bridge was quite large.
“On the underside of this tree trunk is an ax. You and Odar will use it on the posts of the bridge to weaken them. Make sure to do it close to the waterline so no one sees it.”
“How do you know it will hold until the carriage is on it?” Too many things could go wrong.
“My soldiers will cross single file. Once the weight of the carriage is upon it, the bridge will collapse, I assure you.”
She absently nodded. “Once we weaken the posts, we’re free to go?” Or did they have to wait until it actually collapsed?
“Yes. You’re free to go.” He looked sidelong at her. “Your journey won’t be easy. Whatever you do, keep moving. Put as much distance between yourself and the castle as possible.”
“What about food and supplies?” As excited as she was to get out of Russek, she did not look forward to traveling through this weather.
“I’ll have what you need stashed under this tree.” He folded his hands on his lap. “As much as I distrust Odar, I am glad you won’t be traveling alone.”
That made two of them. She couldn’t imagine navigating her way through this kingdom all by herself. Snow started falling. She pulled her cap lower on her head, making sure her ears were covered. “I want to thank you for releasing me from the dungeon and not letting Soma kill me.”
Kerdan opened his gloved hand, small snowflakes landing on his palm and melting. “And I want to thank you for agreeing to my plan.”
They sat in silence, the snow falling. Allyssa wouldn’t say they were friends, nor would she say she fully trusted him. Yet, sitting there by his side, she felt hope. Hope for the future of Emperion, hope for Russek. One day, they would each be ruling their respective kingdoms, possibly working together again. At least she knew he had Russek’s best interest at heart. And he would be a far better king than his father.
“Thank you for trusting me,” she said. “I know your trust is not easily given.”
“Since my mother’s death, I have not trusted anyone.”
She wondered if that meant he didn’t trust her.
“We should go.” He jumped off the tree, not offering her a hand.
She smiled and hopped down, thankful he treated her as an equal and not a helpless woman.
Chapter Nineteen
“Our plan isn’t going to work,” Kerdan growled as he swung and punched the wall. Allyssa folded her arms, wondering why he was so angry. “We need to talk to Odar.” He flung the door open and waved her forward.
She rarely left the bedchamber. In the hallway, he clutched her arm harder than necessary. “Let go,” she said, trying to pull away. He ignored her and continued on, practically running down the stairwells and corridors.
They reached one of the main sections of the castle. Sentries stood guard at the entry and exit points while nobles walked about. When people saw the prince storming through with her, they stepped out of his way. Allyssa tripped, but Kerdan didn’t slow. He dragged her along as she struggled to regain her footing.
“Stop treating me like this!” she demanded. “You’re being an oaf.” She didn’t care who heard her.
He stopped and grabbed her hair, pulling her closer to him. “Shut your mouth, woman.” The black paint on his face formed daggers, not swirly lines like she had previously thought. “Do not speak unless spoken to.” He started dragging her again.
They went down a corridor, passing by two sentries who chuckled when they saw Kerdan towing her alongside him. At a storage closet, he threw the door open. “No one comes in,” he growled to a soldier not far away. “If I’m disturbed, it’s your head.” He shoved Allyssa inside and slammed the door closed.
“What the bloody hell is going on?” she demanded. “How dare you treat me in such a way!”
“Will you shut your mouth for one second and listen?” He whacked the door, making her jump. This side of him scared her. “Scream.”
“What?”
“I want you to scream. Now.”
Allyssa couldn’t muster up her voice. Kerdan grabbed her shoulders, shoving her against the door with a thud, and she yelped.
“Good,” he whispered. “Now keep your voice down.” He yanked her to the back of the storage closet where a small door only three-feet high stood. He opened it, and Odar climbed out.
“You better have a bloody good reason for bringing me down here,” Odar muttered as he stood.
She flung her arms around him, squeezing hard. Actually touching him, being so close, reined in her temper and nerves.
“We don’t have much time,” Kerdan mumbled.
She released Odar and took a step back. His eyes never left hers as he said, “What’s the matter?”
“Jana is refusing to leave the castle,” Kerdan said. “Our plan is no longer feasible. We must come up with something else.”
If the queen refused to leave, then she probably knew some sort of an assassination was planned. “Do you have any other ideas?” she asked.
Kerdan clasped his hands behind his back and started pacing about the closet. “Only one.” He glanced at Allyssa, his face hard.
“You want us to kill them while they’re sleeping, don’t you?”
He gave a curt nod and stopped before her. “I’m sorry, but I don’t see any other way.”
Odar ran his hands thro
ugh his hair. “You expect us to murder four people before you let us go?”
“That is correct.” Kerdan resumed pacing.
“Can you do that?” Odar asked Allyssa. “Can you sanction the murder of four people when you couldn’t stomach the idea of killing one before?”
She closed her eyes and remembered their conversation in the forest when he’d wanted to kill Soma, but she wouldn’t let him. The weight of that decision crushed down on her. If only she had been strong enough to end Soma’s life then. She opened her eyes, looking into Odar’s rich, brown ones. She didn’t like the idea of killing; however, it had to be done. “If it stops the war and saves thousands of lives, the loss of four is worth it.” Plus, she hated Jana and Soma. She wanted them dead, so they could never hurt her again.
“You’ve changed. The girl I knew a few weeks ago would never agree to do this.”
“I’m not the girl I was before we came here. This place has changed me.” Fury eclipsed the sadness of her heart. How dare he accuse her of changing like it was a bad thing? And if he had left when she’d wanted to, maybe they wouldn’t be here. Maybe none of this would have happened. “Are you saying you don’t want to partake in Kerdan’s new plan?”
“I have no problem going through with it,” Odar assured her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “It’s you I’m worried about. I don’t want you to back out or change your mind halfway through the mission. It’s all or nothing.”
“I can do it.” He didn’t know what she had endured in the dungeon. One day she would be able to talk to him about it. But not now, not yet. If he knew, he wouldn’t be questioning if she could murder them. He’d know for sure she could do it.
Odar’s hands fell from her shoulders, and he took a deep breath. “There’s one major issue I foresee,” he said. “When the royal family is found dead and the two of us are gone, King Drenton will know we killed them. He’ll be more determined than ever to go to war against Fren and Emperion.”
“I understand what you’re saying,” Kerdan replied. “I know my father and can assure you his devastation over losing his wife will delay the war. I will use that time to find a way to stop it permanently. I give you my word.”
Cage of Darkness (Reign of Secrets, Book 2) Page 16
