“Last we heard, your parents were in Emperor’s City. I’m sure my man will have no trouble finding them.”
“I can’t imagine what they’ve endured the last few weeks thinking they lost their only daughter.” Both Rema and Darmik had to be devastated. At least they had a lot to contend with to keep them occupied.
The king chuckled. “Yes, they’re in for a bit of a shock. I know we certainly were when Odar showed up. Plus, they’re in a precarious situation since they declared your brother, Savenek, as the crown heir.”
The room spun before her. She must have heard him wrong. Odar reached out and grabbed her arm, steadying her. “What?” she asked.
“Your parents never mentioned you had a twin brother.”
Savenek was alive? She’d been told he died when they were babies. This wasn’t possible. Her parents had lied to her? Was this what they kept trying to tell her before the kidnapping? What her mother meant when she said she did something to ensure the line survived?
“Are you certain, Father?” Odar asked.
The king tapped his finger on the armrest. “I do not have all the details,” he responded, his eyes focused on his son’s hand holding her arm. Odar quickly released her. “I have a letter from Empress Rema herself stating that her son, Savenek, has been named the heir. The coronation took place not long ago at their castle in Emperor’s City. Are you all right? You seem a bit shocked.”
“I’m fine,” she lied, not wanting him to know her parents had deceived her. She needed to travel home immediately to see for herself. Her brother, Savenek, was alive? Impossible. And yet, it was something her mother would have done for the greater good. She had so many questions. Who raised him? Where did he grow up? Had he known his identity? Or did her parents lie to him, too? She blinked several times, willing the tears away.
“I’m glad a male heir is on the Emperion throne,” King Viscor mused. “Wonder if they’ll keep him or return it to you?”
“I think the princess needs to lie down,” Odar said. “She’s looking rather pale.”
“Very well,” the king responded. “If Princess Allyssa is feeling well enough tonight, I’d like for her to join us at the banquet celebrating your return and the end of the Russek standoff.”
She barely heard him or registered what he said because all she could think about was the possibility of her twin brother being alive.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Allyssa slowly turned before the mirror, marveling at the pale blue dress adorned with thousands of tiny pearls. The sleeves flared out, hanging all the way to the ground, while the waist was pulled in tighter than she cared for, accentuating her figure.
“Let’s try applying some more dusting powder,” Becka said. “Maybe that will help.”
Her coloring was still off, her cheeks gaunt. It would take a few weeks to regain the weight she’d lost from her ordeal in Russek. No matter how much makeup she put on, it wouldn’t improve her complexion. She just needed time and food.
“There.” Becka stepped back, observing her. “You’re presentable.”
Allyssa rolled her eyes and turned away from the mirror. Going over to the side table, she mixed the herbs the healer left with some hot water and drank the concoction, instantly feeling the pain in her torso lessen.
Someone knocked on the door, and the servant answered it, speaking softly with whoever was on the other side. A moment later, she closed it. “The prince sent this for you.” She held a simple silver circlet adorned with sapphires.
Why hadn’t Odar given it to her himself? She shook her head. It was probably some silly Fren tradition. Taking the circlet, she placed it atop her head, thankful he had enough forethought to send it to her. She’d never attended a formal event without her crown.
“I’m ready,” she declared, rolling her shoulders back and lifting her chin in the air. It was time to put on her court face and go to the banquet.
***
Thousands of candles hung from glass chandeliers, making the Great Hall sparkle. A group of musicians played in one corner, people danced in the center of the room, and long tables were situated around the perimeter. In Emperion, custom dictated eating came first and dancing second. Apparently, that was not the case here in Fren.
Officer Allek remained at her side. “You don’t have to watch over me,” she informed him. “I can take care of myself.”
He smiled. “While I’m sure that’s true, women are not allowed to be unaccompanied in Fren.”
“Not even during a banquet where plenty of people are in attendance?” Why couldn’t he watch her from the perimeter? He was an officer—it seemed highly inappropriate.
“Especially not at an event such as this one.”
She didn’t particularly care for Fren’s backward ways. Women were perfectly able to care for themselves. Whatever man came up with their ridiculous rules needed to be set straight. Speaking of which…where was the royal family? In Emperion, her parents were always announced along with visiting royalty. But she had received no introduction when she entered the room.
“Since you’re required to be at my side,” she said to Allek, “why don’t you dance with me?” She did not want to cower or hide on the outskirts of the room.
“I would be honored.” He bowed and led her to the center of the dance floor. Taking her hand, he spun her around to face him. They began moving to the slow tune. The dance, although unfamiliar, was simple enough that she quickly learned the steps. However, the movement jostled her ribs, and her leg ached. When the song ended, the musicians went right into a new tune. Allek raised his eyebrows in question, and she shook her head. It had been too much, too soon. He led her off the dance floor.
A trumpet sounded, and a steward announced, “King Viscor, Queen Lutia, and Prince Odar.” The royal family entered, and everyone bowed or curtseyed.
“Thank you for joining us to celebrate my son’s return from Russek,” the king bellowed. Clapping and cheering erupted throughout the room. “Let us sit and eat, grateful for Prince Odar’s safe journey home.”
Allyssa found it interesting that the king chose not to mention or introduce her. She turned and faced Allek, shrugging off the king’s slight, refusing to let it affect her behavior. She was the crown heir of Emperion and would act like it. Although, if the rumors were true and Savenek was alive, he was the crown heir. Would she be restored to the throne once she returned, or had she permanently lost her position as the future empress? An abyss engulfed her; her future unclear.
“Are you all right?” Allek asked, concern etched on his face.
“I’m fine,” she answered, smiling at him. Stepping out of the abyss, she shoved those worries in a box to deal with later.
The royal family went straight to the head table that was situated on a raised platform at the front of the room. The three of them took their seats, Odar not once looking her way. Where would she sit if not alongside the royal family?
“Let’s find our seats,” Allek said. Taking her arm, he led her to one of the side tables, seating her between a male courtier and himself.
Even if the king was considering the possibility of severing the marriage contract, that didn’t mean she shouldn’t sit with them. By ignoring her and not sharing their table with her, they were making a bold statement—one that she did not like or agree with. “I’m not sitting with the royal family?” she asked, wanting—needing—to clarify.
Allek leaned toward her. Lowering his voice, he replied, “No. You’re not.”
She was about to question whether visiting royals were usually treated with so little regard, but she held her tongue. Maybe she was overreacting. After all, Odar had specifically said he feared Jana would come after her. Perhaps he was simply trying to keep her identity quiet for her own safety. That had to be the reason.
Plates piled high with duck, potatoes, and carrots arrived. She forced herself to eat while conversing with the men on either side of her. The courtier asked simple questions—where
she was from, how long she expected to stay at the palace, and the purpose of her visit. Luckily, she had years of practice giving vague answers. She managed to withhold her name while behaving in such a way that no one could find fault with a single thing about her.
Once the royal family finished eating, dancing resumed. Prince Odar had the audacity to dance with a beautiful girl who appeared to be from an affluent family based upon the ridiculous jewels draped around her neck.
Bloody hell. What was he doing? Ignoring Allyssa, pretending she didn’t exist? To what end? Was it because his parents were present? Was he afraid to show his feelings for her? It didn’t make any sense. Unless…did the Fren people not know of the marriage treaty?
Regardless of what Odar was—or wasn’t—doing, Allyssa needed to make sure she left the king and queen with a positive impression of her and Emperion so that relations between their kingdoms would be strong. Even though the Russek soldiers had withdrawn, she wasn’t convinced the tentative peace would last.
As she walked across the room toward the king and queen, her hands shook. She didn’t know if it was from fear or anger. A small group of people surrounded the royal couple. Allyssa strode right up to them, leaving Allek behind. Everyone stopped talking and turned to face her. She pointedly looked at the king and raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to properly introduce her. She would not be treated with anything less than the respect she deserved.
“This is Princess Allyssa from Emperion,” King Visor said, not offering any other information beyond that.
“Pardon the interruption,” she politely, but firmly, said. “I need to speak with the king and queen.” The people nodded and left, leaving her alone with Odar’s parents.
“Is there something in particular you would like to discuss?” the king asked, his voice harsh.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Allek standing not far from her, ever the diligent escort. She couldn’t stay here any longer.
“I’ve decided to return home tomorrow.” She didn’t know if Odar had made the necessary arrangements yet, but she didn’t care. She needed to be home with her parents right now. While her physical injuries were healing nicely, she was a mess emotionally. Nightmares plagued her sleep, she jumped at the smallest sounds, and when she closed her eyes, she saw Shelene’s lifeless body demanding retribution.
“Are you well enough for the long journey?” King Viscor asked.
“I am.”
“Then I think that’s an excellent idea. One of my advisers will accompany you to discuss the contract with your parents.”
She took a deep breath, forcing her temper to remain under control. She needed to talk to Odar to see where he stood on the matter. Everything would work out. It had to. “Emperion looks forward to open communication with your kingdom,” she replied, trying to remain diplomatic.
The king smiled, the gesture not touching his shrewd eyes. “Fren has remained isolated from the mainland’s politics for a reason. What concerns me is how easily Emperion acquired the three kingdoms to your north. To think…they almost acquired Fren as well.”
Allyssa went still. He didn’t intend to move forward with the marriage treaty regardless of what Odar wanted. The words poured from her mouth. “Technically, the marriage contract has been signed. I’m not certain my parents will wish to sever it so callously like you do. After all, we aren’t clear what Russek’s intentions are. I think it’s wise to keep our options open at this point. I would hate to dismiss something only to find out it should have remained intact.”
The queen hadn’t spoken once in her presence. “Besides,” Allyssa said, addressing the queen. “I am quite fond of your son and would be honored to be his wife.”
For the first time, Queen Lutia focused on her. “Prince Odar will make an excellent husband. I am not convinced, though, that he should be yours.” The queen turned and gracefully glided away.
Stunned, Allyssa clasped her hands, trying to refrain from screaming at the woman.
“As I stated before, my advisor will accompany you to Emperion and speak on my behalf.”
“You do not need to fear Emperion,” she assured the king. “We have no desire to rule over Fren.”
“And I will hold you to that.”
An overwhelming desire to punch the king boiled inside of her. She counted to thirty, reining in her temper. She had mistakenly thought she would be welcomed with open arms, that Odar’s parents would be thrilled their son was marrying someone he loved. In a room filled with people, including the one she wanted to marry, she’d never felt so alone.
“Thank you for your hospitality,” she said, her voice shaking ever so slightly. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to speak with your son to ensure my travel arrangements have been made.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and headed straight toward the prince, who stood across the room watching her. She stopped three feet away from him. “We need to talk.”
Odar folded his arms. “Allek, you can leave us.” She had forgotten all about her escort. “Come, let’s find a place a bit more private.” He went to one of the balconies off the western side of the room.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Allyssa followed Odar onto the balcony, a sick feeling in her stomach. At the railing, she gazed down at the beautiful garden, illuminated by the moonlight. He closed the glass doors behind them, and she waited for him to begin this dreaded conversation.
He came next to her and leaned on the railing, focused on the fountain below. “I hope the accommodations are to your satisfaction,” he said, his voice stiff and formal.
She almost screamed. They had been through too much to behave like strangers. “They are. Thank you for your concern.” She waited for him to continue. When it became clear he had nothing else to say, she asked, “Are the arrangements made for my journey to Emperion tomorrow?”
“I have two squads of my best soldiers prepared to escort you home.”
And now the question she needed to ask but feared the answer to. “Will you be accompanying me?” The words shook as she spoke them. Such a simple, loaded question.
He rubbed his face, still not looking at her. “My parents aren’t keen on aligning our kingdoms unless it’s absolutely necessary.” The festive music from inside drifted out to the balcony, a stark contrast to her tumultuous emotions.
“We aren’t certain where Russek stands.”
“I know, which is why we shouldn’t rush to get married.” He wouldn’t look at her.
So far, she’d heard a lot about what the king and queen wanted, but nothing about what Odar did. “I love you and want to marry you. I thought you felt the same.” She folded her arms, trying to hold herself together.
He gripped the stone railing, his knuckles turning white and the tendons protruding. “I don’t have the words to express the depth of my feelings for you. And that’s why we can’t marry.”
She sucked in a breath. “I don’t understand.” Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to cry. Blinking several times, she willed herself to remain calm.
“My responsibility is to my kingdom,” he explained. “If I marry you, how can I do what’s best for Fren when all I see, think, and feel is you?” For the first time since they’d come out onto the balcony, he looked at her, his eyes glassy. “All that my enemy has to do is threaten you, and I’ll give him what he wants to save you. Our experience in Russek taught me that. If I were to marry you, I wouldn’t be a good ruler. You make me weak.” He looked away.
It felt as if she’d fallen off a cliff. “I disagree,” she said, stifling a scream, needing to grab on to something as she fell. “I believe that love makes a person stronger.”
He shook his head. “I can’t. I love you too much. You’ll be safer without me.”
It felt as if she’d hit the ground, her body writhing in pain. “How will I be safer without you?”
“You need a better political match. A stronger one.”
Fren was an excellent political match, an
d she loved Odar. There could be no better scenario. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“I’m being practical!” he spat.
Fury raged through her. She stood tall, refusing to back down. “You want me to share a bed with another man?” Angry tears fell down her cheeks. “You want me to give myself to someone else?” Her heart hurt, as if someone had ripped it from her chest. She hated feeling weak, vulnerable, and as if everything was being taken away from her. And there was nothing she could do to change Odar’s mind.
“No,” he replied, his face white. “But then, my life has never been about what I want. I need to put my kingdom first, before my own wants and desires. And this is me doing that.” He removed the wooden ring he wore, the one she’d given him. He set it on the railing and turned, clutching the door handle, his back to her.
“That’s it?” she asked. “You’re just going to leave?” It was as if she had a handful of sand and it kept slipping through her fingers. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t hold onto it.
“I…I can’t look at you anymore.” He stormed off the balcony.
She stood there, stunned, her heart searing in an agony she’d never experienced before.
Allek came onto the balcony. “Are you all right?”
“I thought I’d been to hell and back. I was wrong. Fren is simply another form of hell, and I can’t wait to leave here.” She turned away from him. The lively music inside had turned to a slow tune. Picking up the wooden ring, she closed her fingers around it, holding it tightly. “I wish to be alone for a few moments while I compose myself.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. If you like, I can escort you back to your room where you will be away from watchful eyes.”
It felt as if a knife had been embedded into her heart, and a sob escaped her mouth. After all they’d been through together, he’d left her. How could Odar be so cruel?
“We can stay out here as long as you like,” Allek said, blocking the doors so no one could see her.
She didn’t want to remain on the balcony, crying like a weak, pathetic girl. “I wish to return to my room to prepare for my departure tomorrow.” Knowing she would see her parents again very soon provided enough hope to forge on.
Cage of Darkness (Reign of Secrets, Book 2) Page 24
