Oath of Destruction

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “I did not,” Darmik answered. “However, from Fren’s actions, or lack thereof, I think it’s safe to say they’re back to being an isolated kingdom only concerned with their own welfare.”

  “What has become of Odar?” Rema asked. “Where is he? Is he still in Russek? Is he dead?”

  “If he’s in Russek, our spies haven’t seen or heard anything about him,” Savenek replied. He’d sent a few members of the Brotherhood to Clovek to try to find out exactly what had happened to Allyssa and to determine if her body could be recovered.

  “Since Fren refused to help us, Odar is no longer my concern,” Darmik said.

  “And what of revenge?” Savenek still wanted Russek to pay for what they’d done, not only killing Allyssa, but also for killing Emperion’s soldiers.

  “Jana has to be assassinated for her crimes.”

  “Now would be the perfect time for us to accomplish such a feat,” Rema said. “Especially with the civil war going on.”

  “I agree. But first, I need to bathe.” Darmik headed down the hallway, away from them.

  The days quickly passed. It had been four weeks since Allyssa had died and Savenek had taken her place. Four weeks of living with Rema and Darmik in the palace. Four weeks of running the Brotherhood, sending spies into Apethaga to follow the trail of poison, and working alongside Darmik to learn the intricacies of the army and the kingdom.

  Sprawled on the sofa, Savenek stared at the ceiling, tossing a small ball with his right hand and catching it with his left. He was finally alone. Well, as alone as he could get now that he was the prince. Two sentries stood near the doors of the sitting room.

  At least there weren’t any distractions here. And he could think. Tossing the ball, he caught it. Something was…off. He could feel it. Fren, Telmena, Apethaga, and Dromien were too quiet. Had Jana truly been the instigator of everything? And now that she was busy fighting for the Russek throne, the other kingdoms had just backed off? Were they waiting to see what happened with Russek? Savenek didn’t think the other kingdoms would invest so much time into an alliance just to let it fall apart. He was missing something—he was sure of it.

  Rema and Darmik entered the sitting room holding hands. “I was hoping we’d find you here,” Rema said, taking a seat on the sofa across from Savenek.

  Darmik sat next to her, crossing his legs and stretching his arms along the back of the sofa.

  “What’s going on?” Savenek asked absently, tossing the ball, thinking about the other kingdoms.

  “The former royal families of Kricok, Landania, and Fia are all coming to Lakeside. We are to meet there to discuss how these three kingdoms now fit into the Emperion empire. They must also pledge their fealty to you, now that you’ve been crowned as the prince of Emperion.”

  “Russek still maintains a large presence in Melenia,” Darmik mumbled. “We need to decide how to handle that as well.”

  “Have you—”

  Someone banged on the door. The sentry answered it, and a soldier entered. “Your Majesties, there is a messenger here from Fren. He seeks a word with the two of you in private. He is downstairs in the Receiving Room.”

  Darmik stood, pulling Rema up alongside him.

  “Do you want me to come?” Savenek asked, still tossing the ball.

  “No,” Rema answered. “Stay here. If you’re needed, I’ll have someone fetch you.”

  They exited the Royal Chambers.

  Savenek remained on the sofa, tossing the ball, his mind still churning.

  Twenty minutes later, Rema and Darmik returned. Rema’s eyes were red as if she’d been crying. However, there was an excitement on her face that Savenek hadn’t seen before.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked, setting the ball aside and sitting up.

  “We don’t know yet,” Darmik said. His voice had an odd hitch to it, and he wouldn’t look at Savenek.

  Savenek was about to ask what was going on when Neco came into the sitting room. “I was told you sent for me?”

  “I did,” Darmik replied. “I have an assignment for you of the utmost importance. Pack your bag. You leave in five minutes. I’ll meet you out front with your horse.” The two men left.

  “What is it?” Savenek asked.

  Rema smiled, her eyes filling with tears. “I don’t want to say anything until I confirm our information. It could just be a ploy. Once I know for sure, I’ll tell you.” Covering her face with her hands, she began crying.

  “Are you okay?” He wasn’t sure what to do with her. Comfort her? Leave her alone? Try talking to her?

  Rema came over and grabbed Savenek’s hands. “Everything is perfect,” she said with a smile, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  A couple of weeks later, Neco returned. He went straight to Darmik’s office with Rema in tow. While Savenek paced the halls and contemplated what was going on, a letter from Russek arrived via a messenger. Since the empress and emperor were both engaged, Savenek took the letter and examined it. He considered opening it; however, he didn’t want to break the seal until Darmik had a look at it. He decided to take the missive directly to the emperor in case it contained vital information. After knocking on the door, he entered Darmik’s office and handed the letter over. “This just arrived from Russek.”

  “Interesting timing,” Darmik mumbled as he examined it.

  “We have something to tell you,” Rema said, capturing Savenek’s attention. She was sitting at the conference table, Neco to her left.

  Savenek sat on the chair to her right, curious to hear what she had to say.

  “A couple of weeks ago, a messenger from Fren arrived.” She took a deep breath and smiled, the simple act lighting up her face. “Allyssa is alive. Neco confirmed it.”

  Savenek was sure he’d heard her wrong. “Excuse me?”

  “King Drenton lied when he said he’d killed your sister. Allyssa managed to escape from Russek with Prince Odar. Neco went to Fren and brought her home.”

  “She’s here?” Savenek jumped to his feet, eager to meet the sister he never thought he’d have a chance to know.

  “She is not at the palace.” Rema folded her hands on her lap, focusing on them instead of anyone else in the room. “Neco took her to Nathenek’s place.”

  Why were they all sitting there? Why weren’t they with Allyssa? Dread filled Savenek. “Is she okay?” He sat back on the chair, suddenly afraid for his sister. He remembered Darmik saying she’d been tortured, her fingernails removed. What sort of state was she in?

  “Allyssa has endured a great deal,” Neco said, speaking for the first time. “Your mother thought it best that the princess spends some time away from the palace so she can fully heal.”

  “I want to make sure she’s capable of returning to her life, facing her responsibilities, and that she’s not only able to rule, but also that she wants to,” Rema said.

  “I’m not following you.” Was his sister okay or not?

  “Your mother gave her a choice,” Darmik explained. “She can live a normal life as a commoner with Nathenek. Or she can resume her role as the princess of Emperion.”

  “Where does that leave me?” Did everything depend on Allyssa and what she decided? If she stayed away, he’d have to continue as the crown prince? But if she returned, was he no longer needed?

  “No matter what Allyssa chooses, you are going to remain here with us. That isn’t going to change,” Rema said with firm conviction.

  Savenek rubbed his face. “I want to meet her.”

  “She needs time,” Neco said. “A lot has happened.” He tugged his right earlobe. “On our way to Nathenek’s, we encountered Prince Kerdan of Russek. He proposed to Allyssa.”

  No one said a word.

  Savenek blinked. Prince Kerdan of Russek, Emperion’s enemy, had proposed to Allyssa? Not only that, but he’d also been on Emperion soil? “I hope you ran him through with your sword.”

  “I think his proposal is sincere and worth considering,” Neco replied. />
  “I must have heard you wrong,” Savenek said. Kerdan had kidnapped Allyssa. Why would he want to marry her?

  “Allyssa spent some time with him in Russek,” Neco explained.

  “Yes, as his prisoner.”

  “It wasn’t like that. He saved her life and aided in her escape.”

  “You can’t be serious,” Savenek said.

  “Did he kill his father to take the throne?” Rema asked.

  “That’s what Jana is claiming,” Darmik replied. “However, I’m not sure I believe it. Kerdan is the prince and next in line to inherit the throne. The only one who truly benefits from this is Jana. I think Jana killed the king and is blaming it on Kerdan to get him out of the way. Then she can have the throne.”

  “Why propose to Allyssa?” Rema asked.

  “I only spoke to Kerdan briefly,” Neco said. “Kerdan explained he needs Emperion’s support. A union between Russek and Emperion will enable him to overthrow Jana and bring peace to his kingdom.”

  “A lofty notion,” Rema mused.

  “I told him I would let the two of you know about the proposal. However, an answer could not be quickly given.”

  “Do you believe him to be sincere?” Rema asked.

  “I didn’t spend enough time with him to get a sense of his personality. However, Allyssa speaks highly of him and insists his intentions are honorable.”

  Savenek snorted. The bloke had kidnapped his sister. How could he be honorable in any sense of the word?

  “I’d like to discuss the matter with Allyssa first before I consider this in more detail,” Darmik said.

  Savenek couldn’t believe they were even entertaining the idea. “If Prince Odar and Allyssa are alive, doesn’t that mean they’re still engaged?”

  Neco shifted uncomfortably on the chair. “Fren severed the contract. They are no longer engaged.”

  Rema raised her eyebrows. “They did?”

  “Yes. And Allyssa is extremely upset over the matter. She said it was handled poorly.”

  “If that is any indication of Odar’s moral character, I’m glad he ended the engagement.” Darmik finally opened the letter from Russek.

  “What does it say?” Savenek asked.

  “It’s a letter from Prince Kerdan.”

  “Is it about his proposal to Allyssa?” Rema asked.

  “No. And something feels off about the way it’s written.”

  “Off how?” Savenek leaned over Darmik’s shoulder, reading the letter.

  “Given what Neco has just told us, this letter doesn’t make any sense. I don’t believe Kerdan wrote it.” Darmik handed the letter to Neco.

  “I concur. This isn’t from Kerdan.”

  “Jana?” Darmik said.

  “Most likely.”

  “Why would Jana send a letter posing as Kerdan?” Savenek asked. “Is she trying to lure us into a trap?”

  “That is precisely what I think,” Darmik replied.

  “What do you want to do?” Neco asked, a wicked gleam to his eyes.

  “Make it look like we’re falling for the trap, while we set a trap of our own. It’s time to end Jana once and for all.”

  “We’ll need Allyssa for this to work,” Neco mused.

  “Give me the letter.” Rema held her hand out. “I’ll see that Allyssa receives this and Nathenek sets things in motion.” She stood. “If you’ll excuse me, it’s time for me to see my daughter.”

  Savenek

  “I’m not going in the carriage,” Savenek said, folding his arms and imitating Darmik. “If you’re riding, I’m riding.” Not wanting to give Darmik a chance to argue, Savenek turned and mounted one of the horses. It felt good to be back in the saddle. It had been far too long.

  The person on the horse next to him chuckled. “It seems no one in our family cares for confined spaces,” a familiar female voice said.

  Savenek scrutinized the woman dressed in a basic army uniform with a cap concealing her hair. “Rema?” he asked, still not able to call her Mother. Thankfully, she hadn’t pressed the issue.

  She nodded.

  “If you’re out here, who’s in there?” He pointed at the carriage.

  “A decoy.”

  “And you wanted me in there with a stranger?”

  She shrugged. “I figured you’d ride.”

  “You two can’t make anything easy,” Darmik muttered as he mounted his horse.

  “Oh, please,” Rema chided him. “Like you’d ever ride in a closed carriage.”

  Instead of responding, he gave the signal. The unit of soldiers escorting the royal family moved out, exiting the palace compound.

  As they left Emperor’s City, Savenek glanced over his shoulder, not sure when he’d be back. This had been his home, where he grew up, where he lived with Nathenek, where he had his first love, first kill, and first sword fight. Where he had trained as a member of the Brotherhood.

  “Are you okay?” Rema asked.

  Savenek faced forward. “Yes.” He knew he didn’t fool her. She was far too observant sometimes. Not wanting to talk about it, he kept his attention on the soldier in front of him, trying to envision what life in Lakeside would be like.

  His hands became sweaty, and he gripped the reins of his horse tighter. Mayra would be there. In Lakeside. Living in the castle. How would she act around him? Would she be the woman he had gotten to know and fell in love with during their mission in Apethaga? Would she treat him like she always had? Or would things be awkward between them now that he was the prince? It wasn’t as if he was a different man. However, instead of not being worthy of Mayra, he now felt he had something to offer her. The two of them would make a good match. That was, if Neco allowed it. Now that Savenek was thinking on the matter, he wasn’t sure if Rema and Darmik would allow it, either.

  “I’m going to the front to speak with my captain,” Darmik said. “The two of you remain here.” He nudged his horse, riding ahead of them.

  “Is something the matter?” Rema asked. “You seem worried or nervous.”

  “I’m just thinking about Lakeside.”

  “And a certain someone who will be there?”

  Bullocks. How did she know about Mayra?

  “Oh, please,” Rema said. “Neco and his wife Ellie are our closest friends.”

  Savenek pulled the collar of his shirt away from his neck, not knowing what to say to that.

  “I understand you and Mayra worked well together in Apethaga?”

  A question that wasn’t a question. He cleared his throat. “We did.” Sweat beaded on his forehead.

  “And I understand Neco has raised some concerns regarding a possible match between you and his daughter?”

  Savenek glanced over his shoulder to make sure Neco wasn’t riding right behind them. Not seeing him nearby, he replied, “Yes, he has.”

  “I can understand his point of view.”

  Savenek forced himself not to respond to that comment. Of course Rema would understand—she put her kingdom above all else. She viewed marriage with one purpose in mind: How could it benefit Emperion?

  After a few moments of awkward silence, Rema said, “However, I saw what an arranged marriage did to my daughter. The toll it took. I am not keen to see you go through what she did.”

  Savenek didn’t know how he would handle an arranged marriage. Could he eventually learn to love someone who was chosen for him simply for political reasons? He didn’t think so. He wondered if Allyssa had experienced the same issues with Odar. Allyssa. He shook his head, unable to believe she was alive and they hadn’t told anyone. Not only that, but he also couldn’t believe he hadn’t met her yet. What sort of person was she? Had Russek changed her? Broken her? “You don’t plan to consider Kerdan’s proposal, do you?”

  “Consider it? Yes. Allow it? Probably not. Russeks are known for being brutal. I wouldn’t wish that upon my enemy, let alone my daughter.”

  “Then why even think about it?”

  “Because I’m the empress.
I must give it some consideration. Why was the proposal made in the first place? Does Russek need Emperion’s support? What does that show? Does Kerdan seek a true alliance with us? I know if Jana succeeds, she will send Russek’s army against Emperion.”

  “Kerdan would destroy Allyssa. Then he’d destroy Emperion.”

  “How can you be so certain of that?” Rema asked. “What do we know about him? What has he done in the past to show who he truly is?”

  Kerdan was one of Russek’s commanders. He was a typical Russek—brutal, crazy, and a lying pack of horse crap. Savenek didn’t trust him.

  “Which brings me back to you,” she said.

  Why did Savenek have a feeling Rema was setting him up?

  “You have done everything we’ve asked of you.” A wisp of her hair came loose, and she quickly tucked it back under her cap. “If you continue to play the part of the prince, help our kingdom be successful in all endeavors, I will see that you have the opportunity to court Mayra.”

  He eyed her sidelong. She was trying to bribe him. Guarantee his cooperation by dangling something he wanted in front of him. Blasted woman. She knew he wouldn’t be able to resist.

  “You must understand that Mayra is one of the highest ranking and most important women in Emperion. Marrying her off to another kingdom would be highly beneficial.”

  The thought of Mayra marrying another man strictly for political reasons made Savenek want to vomit. And punch something. He readjusted his hands on the reins, trying to calm himself. Up until this point, he’d only thought about himself marrying for political reasons. He’d never considered the possibility Mayra would have to. And knowing Mayra, she wouldn’t hesitate to do what was best for Emperion. Rema knew this. Now she was making sure Savenek knew it as well.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” she said.

  Instead of answering or agreeing to Rema’s terms, he asked, “If Allyssa returns to court, do you still plan on ransoming her off for Emperion?”

  “I don’t have to. She will do what is best for this kingdom, regardless of what she wants or needs. That is one of her faults and virtues. She loves Emperion more than she does anyone or anything else.”