Oath of Destruction

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “All the time. That’s normal.”

  “Savenek seems to think he can boss me around.” She didn’t like being told what to do.

  Odar chuckled. “That’s just the way siblings are. You’ll get used to it.”

  “I hope so.” The rain started coming down harder. “Father said Savenek has to approve of Kerdan before we can marry.” She feared Savenek wouldn’t care for the Russek warrior.

  Odar’s smile faded away. “Do you still want to marry Kerdan?”

  “Yes. And I don’t care to discuss him with you.”

  “Then why bring it up?” Odar’s face flushed red, lips tightening.

  His sudden loss of composure made Allyssa’s words catch in her throat. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

  “What are you two doing?” It was Savenek.

  Whirling toward him, Allyssa breathed an internal sigh of relief. She had never been more grateful to have a brother than she was at this moment. “We just took a walk around the castle. Father wanted people to see us together.”

  “Are you done?” Savenek asked.

  “We are,” Odar answered.

  “Good. I have a favor to ask.” He came over to Odar’s side, surprising Allyssa. “Now that Marek is gone, I need someone to spar with. I don’t want any of my guards or members at court to see me.”

  “Ah,” Odar replied. “I understand. You need to keep up the appearance of the aloof prince.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Well, you certainly came to the right person.”

  Savenek put his arm around Odar, guiding him out of the solarium and away from Allyssa. Her brother could be far more astute than she gave him credit for.

  Savenek

  Wanting to keep Odar as far away from Allyssa as possible, Savenek led him straight to the private training room he’d been using with Marek. Shoving Odar inside, he shut the door. His guards already knew to remain out in the hallway.

  “When you said you wanted to train with me, I didn’t think you meant right now,” Odar said sullenly. “I’m not even dressed for practicing.”

  “Don’t be a pansy.” The guy had pants and a tunic on. If he was attacked, what did he think he’d be wearing?

  Glancing out the windows, Savenek saw the rain had stopped. He went over to the wall and grabbed two swords, tossing one to Odar, who deftly caught it. Odar held his sword with such ease that Savenek had no doubt he was a good swordsman. Anticipation coursed through Savenek. He always enjoyed sparring with someone new.

  “I hadn’t noticed you were left-handed,” Odar said. He swung.

  Savenek parried the blow. “I’m not.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t insult me like that.”

  Smiling, Savenek moved the sword to his right hand. “Just trying to give you a fair advantage.”

  “I don’t need it.” Odar lunged, swinging his sword low in an attempt to catch Savenek off-guard.

  Laughing, Savenek twisted, avoiding the blow. He jabbed his elbow back, hitting Odar’s side. Odar attacked with a series of strikes. Savenek met each one. He got the feeling Odar was testing him to see how proficient he was with a sword. Savenek made sure to keep his skill reined in. He met Odar strike for strike. Odar was actually a very good swordsman, especially considering he was from Fren.

  Time to turn the tables. Savenek went to swing high. When Odar blocked the hit, Savenek punched him in the stomach—not hard enough to do any damage. He stepped back as Odar caught his breath. “Do you intend to try to win my sister back?”

  Odar didn’t answer. He remained bent over, breathing heavily. After a minute, he straightened and readjusted his grip on his sword. Odar struck low. Savenek parried the blow, then countered with one of his own.

  “Your sister and I said our goodbyes in Russek.” Odar sped up his strikes.

  Savenek deflected each one. “That’s not an answer.”

  Odar lowered his sword, panting. “Are you asking if I’d still like to marry Allyssa?”

  “I am.” Although Savenek already knew the answer. Odar clearly still cared for her. Savenek often found Odar staring at Allyssa or trying to start up a conversation with her.

  Odar nodded. “I still love her.”

  “Even though she is engaged to another man?”

  “That engagement isn’t official,” Odar replied. “But it doesn’t matter. She’s made it clear she wants nothing to do with me romantically.”

  Whenever Odar was around Allyssa, Savenek watched his sister tense up. “I want you to leave her alone. She’s been through enough.”

  “I am better acquainted with her than you are,” Odar said. “You don’t know what’s best for her.” He readjusted his grip on the sword.

  “And you do?” Savenek demanded.

  “It sure as hell isn’t Kerdan.”

  “Even if that’s what she wants?” Savenek was trying to get a better read on Odar. The man was usually quiet and kept to himself. It was nice he was finally talking. And Savenek had never thought he and his sister’s ex-fiancé would agree on anything where Allyssa was concerned.

  “She’s just confused.” Odar wiped his brow.

  “I’m not crazy about her marrying some guy from Russek,” Savenek admitted.

  Odar eyed him, his facial expression not giving any sign of what he was thinking or feeling. “Allyssa loved me once. With time, she may learn to care for me again.” He hesitated a moment before continuing. “Besides, the wedding is already planned. The empress could change her mind and let the ceremony take place. Maybe that really is what’s best for Emperion in the long run.”

  “Even if Allyssa doesn’t love you?” Savenek tried to keep the loathing out of his voice.

  “Marriage has little to do with love. People of our station marry for political reasons far more than they ever do for love.”

  Savenek readjusted his grip on the sword. While he’d never cared for Odar, he decided he truly didn’t like the guy. Odar wanted to marry Allyssa because that was what he wanted. He gave little thought to what Allyssa wanted or why. Savenek hoped he never behaved so selfishly.

  He turned to strike Odar. A shadow outside one of the windows caught his attention. When Savenek peered at the window, Odar swung his wooden practice sword, striking Savenek’s legs and knocking him on his back.

  The shadow shifted. It was a man.

  Odar loomed over Savenek.

  “There’s someone outside,” Savenek grunted, his back stinging from the fall.

  “Distraction doesn’t work with me.”

  The window burst open as someone jumped through it, landing on his feet. Odar cursed.

  Savenek sprang up, wishing he had a real sword. The man dove for Odar, tackling him to the floor. The two men grappled, rolling on top of one another.

  Savenek wondered if he should help Odar. Probably not. Savenek didn’t much care for him anyway. He noticed belatedly that his guards hadn’t come into the room at the sound of shattering glass. Savenek decided to see how this played out before he intervened.

  The man punched Odar in the side, saying something Savenek couldn’t understand because his accent was so thick. And that was when Savenek realized where the attacker was from. He’d been so wrapped up in the fact Odar was having his butt kicked that Savenek hadn’t bothered to see who was doing the butt kicking. The man had pasty white skin, tangled dark hair, and his shoulders were twice as wide as Odar’s.

  Savenek pointed his wooden practice sword at the Russek man. “Stop,” he said. “Back away from Prince Odar.”

  The man stilled. He’d managed to pin a wildly bucking Odar to the floor. When the man turned his head to Savenek, pure hatred shone on his face, causing Savenek to tighten his hold on the sword.

  “I’d put that down if I were you,” the man said, speaking slowly so Savenek could understand him.

  “You leave me no choice,” Savenek said as he slid his dagger from his sleeve, preparing to throw it at the man’s neck.

  “Savenek, s
top,” Odar said. “This is Kerdan.”

  While Savenek had known this man was from Russek, he hadn’t considered the possibility the man was Kerdan. Savenek slid the dagger back up his sleeve.

  “That’s Allyssa’s brother, Savenek,” Odar said to Kerdan.

  “And to what do we owe the honor of your visit, may I ask?” Savenek inquired.

  “I want to see Darmik and Allyssa,” Kerdan said. “Take me to them.” He released Odar and stood. “Now.” Kerdan towered over Savenek.

  Savenek couldn’t believe this was the man his sister wanted to marry. He was huge. And lacking in manners. Although, Savenek had to admit, he didn’t mind watching someone else knock Odar around. However, he kept that to himself.

  It was probably best not to say anything since he didn’t know what Kerdan wanted, why he was at the castle, or why he’d decided to join them by crashing through a window instead of through proper channels. “Follow me.” Savenek headed toward the door, hating to turn his back on Kerdan.

  Kerdan followed. For such a large man, he was quiet on his feet.

  Odar stood, straightened his tunic, and glared at the new guest.

  “Are you coming?” Savenek asked Odar when he opened the door.

  Odar shook his head. “But I do have one thing I’d like to say to Kerdan before he leaves.”

  Kerdan raised a sardonic brow at Odar, motioning for him to get on with it.

  “Thank you for sending men to replant the fields your soldiers destroyed during your civil war.”

  Kerdan narrowed his eyes, lips curling into a smile that was anything but pleasant. “You’re welcome, Prince.” He said the word prince with such disdain that Savenek was glad he wasn’t on the receiving end of this man’s hatred. Kerdan gave Odar his back, dismissing Allyssa’s ex-suitor as if he were a peasant, then brusquely addressed Savenek. “Let’s go.” It was more of an order than a request.

  Savenek bristled. It was one thing for the man to treat Odar in that manner, but quite another for him to think he could speak to Savenek like that. It had been a while since someone had dared to. Shaking the insult off, he decided to let it pass. It wasn’t as if it bothered him. Since he’d been raised as a commoner, it felt more awkward to be treated like royalty than to be ordered about.

  In the hallway, Savenek found his guards standing in a group. Their weapons had been confiscated and three Russek warriors surrounded them with their swords drawn. Had the castle been taken over? Was Russek declaring war on Emperion? Savenek was fairly sure he could escape if he needed to. However, Kerdan hadn’t threatened him directly so far. Kerdan had only insisted on speaking to Darmik and Allyssa.

  “Hurit and Larek, stay here with these—what do you call them? Guards?” Kerdan’s haughty question was directed at Savenek, his judgement clear.

  Savenek nodded once, knowing his guards shouldn’t have been so easily overpowered by three men.

  “Brookfel, you’re with me,” Kerdan said.

  Still going along with Kerdan—for now, anyway—Savenek led Kerdan and Brookfel down the hallway. Both men were so large they practically filled the entire space. Not wanting members of the court to see these Russek men and panic, Savenek led them to the servants’ passageways. He’d only been in this area a couple of times, and he hoped he didn’t get lost in the maze. He headed toward where he thought the Royal Chambers were located.

  “What are you doing here?” Savenek asked. He considered leading these men to an empty storage room and locking them in there.

  “I’m here to speak with the emperor and princess.”

  While Kerdan’s words were still heavily accented, Savenek could understand what he’d said. “I’m the prince. Why not talk with me?”

  “Because I have no dealings with you.”

  Fair enough. They traversed the stairwell and exited the servants’ passageways not far from the royal family’s chambers.

  Savenek stopped at the doors where four sentries stood guard. “Is my father inside?” he asked.

  One of the sentries ran an assessing gaze over Kerdan before answering. “He is, Your Highness.”

  Savenek was about to tell Kerdan and Brookfel to wait there while he went in to let Darmik know he had a visitor. However, Kerdan shoved past Savenek and burst into the sitting room. All four sentries withdrew their weapons and charged after him.

  Savenek and Brookfel exchanged a quick glance before running after the sentries. Inside, Darmik was standing next to the sofa where Rema and Allyssa sat, a knife clutched in his hand.

  Kerdan stopped a few feet away from Darmik. The four sentries surrounded Kerdan, their swords pointed at his chest.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Rema demanded.

  “It’s about time you showed up,” Darmik said, sliding the knife into his back pocket.

  “Kerdan?” Allyssa stood, her tone sounding confused. “What are you doing here?”

  “I think I should be the one asking questions,” Kerdan said. “Call off your dogs.”

  “Stand down,” Darmik ordered the sentries.

  Savenek came farther into the room, standing next to Darmik. Folding his arms, he waited for Kerdan to explain his unexpected appearance.

  Kerdan kept his focus on Darmik, not looking Allyssa’s way. “I am here to find out why the woman I love is to marry another man. Explain.”

  Savenek chuckled. The next thing he knew, he was flat on his back, his face stinging from the punch Kerdan had thrown at him. Bullocks. He hadn’t even seen it coming. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been caught off-guard like that. He’d be mad if he wasn’t so impressed.

  “I hardly think punching my son was necessary,” Darmik said. He offered Savenek his hand.

  Savenek didn’t bother to take it as he stood, trying to decide what to do with Kerdan. Should he punch him back? Tackle him? He rubbed his jaw, his head ringing from the blow.

  Rema stood, moving to put her arm around Allyssa’s shoulders. Allyssa’s brows were pinched. Darmik glanced around the room. “Everyone out,” he said. Two servants curtseyed and exited the room. The remaining sentries and Brookfel also left. Once the five of them were alone, Darmik pointed at the chair. “Sit.”

  Kerdan didn’t move.

  “Kerdan,” Allyssa said, a bite to her voice. She put her hands on her hips, knocking her mother’s arm off her. “How dare you come in here treating my family like this?”

  He slowly turned to look at her, expression inscrutable.

  “And how dare you ignore me?” she said. Savenek half-expected her to stomp her foot—she seemed that close to a full-on hissy fit. “I haven’t seen you in weeks. Weeks. Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you? How many letters I’ve sent you? And now you just show up and act like, well, a typical Russek!”

  “You missed me?” he asked.

  “Of course!” She threw her hands up in the air, exasperated.

  A slow smile spread across Kerdan’s face. He took two large strides over to Allyssa, grabbed her, and lowered his head to hers. He murmured something, then kissed her.

  Allyssa

  Allyssa lost all sense of time and propriety as she stood with Kerdan’s mouth on hers. His warm hands seared her back, holding her close. The feel of his body against hers, his lips devouring her, and his arms keeping her upright made her never want this moment to end.

  Rema cleared her throat, interrupting Allyssa’s hazy thoughts. “I take it this is Kerdan?” Rema asked.

  Allyssa broke away from Kerdan. They stared at one another, breathing heavily. “Yes, Mother. This is Kerdan.” She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was here. In Emperion.

  “I heard you were going to marry Odar,” Kerdan said. “So I came here to kill him.”

  She wasn’t sure if he was joking or not. But she didn’t care. “I’m not really marrying him.”

  Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply before slowly letting it out. “I was afraid you’d changed your mind.” He took her hand and examined it
.

  “I still wear the ring you gave me.” His mother’s ring.

  A slow smile spread across his face. “I don’t have to kill Odar?”

  “No,” she whispered, wishing they were alone. She wanted to run her hands through his hair and kiss him some more.

  “If the two of you are done,” Rema said, her voice clipped and irritated.

  Allyssa forced herself to step away from him. “Mother, I’d like to introduce you to Kerdan.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, King Kerdan,” Rema said.

  “I always forget how formal you Emperions are with your manners.” He turned toward Savenek. “Sorry about the face.” He positioned himself so he stood next to Allyssa instead of in front of her.

  Savenek kept his arms crossed, his stance mirroring Darmik’s. As Allyssa watched the two of them, she tried not to laugh. Rema glided over to Darmik, whispered something in his ear, and then stood on his other side. Allyssa suddenly became nervous. What did her mother think of Kerdan?

  “Are you here on official business?” Darmik asked.

  “No. I snuck away with some of my men. You’ve met them before: Brookfel, Hurit, and Larek.”

  Allyssa liked all three of Kerdan’s men. They were part of his elite force, which he called Hunters. They’d worked together in Russek to help assassinate Jana.

  “Just to be clear,” Darmik continued, “you snuck into this castle and managed to make your way here?”

  “I brought him here,” Savenek said.

  “Into the castle?” Darmik asked.

  “Well, no. He did get into the castle, and he even managed to capture my guards.” Savenek shrugged. “But I willingly brought him to the Royal Chambers when he asked.”

  “I’m pleased to know our security is so lacking,” Darmik muttered. “Savenek, make sure we address the issue with Neco after this.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  It still irritated Allyssa that Savenek didn’t call their parents Mother and Father. That he refused to form that intimacy with them.

  “I want to know why everyone on the mainland has received an invitation to Allyssa and Odar’s wedding,” Kerdan demanded.