“Then I’ll be leading my entire army into Russek,” Darmik replied, fury filling each clipped word. “We will destroy everything in our path.”
Savenek shivered. He had no doubt Darmik would do just that. “I’m going to talk to the empress and emperor,” he whispered. “Stay here.”
Brenek nodded.
Savenek exited his room, closing the door behind him. Now that he’d ditched his guard, he needed to find a way out of the Royal Chambers. He wanted some time alone. He couldn’t face Rema and Darmik right now, and he didn’t want to be stuck in his room with someone watching his every move.
Heading away from the sitting room, Savenek crept along the hallway to the adjacent bedchamber. After pushing the door open, he went inside. Going over to the window, he saw he was on the third floor. He reached out, about to push the window open.
“What are you doing?” Darmik demanded.
Savenek cursed. He was never taken by surprise like that. How had he not heard Darmik approach?
“Did you think you could sneak out of the window?” Darmik asked. “Go traipsing around the palace and no one would notice?”
Well, yes, that was exactly what Savenek had thought. “I need to be alone.”
Darmik stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.
“I don’t like having someone watch me while I’m trying to sleep,” Savenek added. He’d spent his life learning to hide in the shadows and avoid detection.
Darmik sighed. “Not this again.”
“What?”
“Your sister would argue this very point with me all the time.” He folded his arms across his chest. “I’ll make the same deal with you that I made with her. There will be two guards posted outside your room at all times. However, you will not exit via the window. Ever. Understood?”
Savenek cocked his head to the side. Was Darmik trying to parent him? The thought nettled his nerves. His biological father hadn’t been around during his entire life. Darmik couldn’t just show up now, when he needed Savenek, and expect Savenek to jump and do his bidding.
Instead of answering, he changed the subject. “How’d you know I was in here?” The room appeared to be similar to Savenek’s. While it was grand, it wasn’t opulent enough for an empress and emperor. If this wasn’t Darmik’s room, then had Brenek tattled on Savenek?
“Intuition. It’s something your sister would have done.”
Again, a reminder of the twin sister Savenek would never know. Would he spend his life trying to live up to her legacy? Would he constantly be in her shadow?
“Considering everything I’ve learned tonight, all I’m asking is for some time alone to process my new reality.” Without someone staring at him. He didn’t think it was too much to ask.
Darmik glanced over his shoulder at the closed door. Lowering his voice, he said, “Promise me you won’t leave the palace grounds. I’m certain Russek has spies all over this city. It’s not safe for you out there—no matter how talented you are. Now that you’re a prince, you have to understand your safety is the priority. Emperion must have an heir.”
What was Darmik trying to say? “I can leave the Royal Chambers?”
“If you leave through the doors, you will have a royal guard.”
Which meant there had to be another exit. “Servants’ passageways?”
“No. Too obvious. I’m sure you can find something a little more discreet. Your sister’s preferred method is over there.” He pointed to the corner of the room. “If anyone catches you, I’ll claim to know nothing about it.”
“My…sister would sneak out?”
Darmik smiled, the act softening his face. “All the time. She used to sneak into Lakeside.”
“Did she not care for life at the palace?”
“She loved Emperion and wanted to make a difference. She’d track criminals, arrest them, and put them in jail.”
His sister did that? A pain blossomed in Savenek’s chest. He would never know Allyssa. All those years he’d felt like something was missing and when he’d finally figured out what it was, he couldn’t even meet her.
“I need to get back to your mother. She’s…well, as you can imagine, she’s having a tough time. I’ll see you at sunrise for a run.” He left the room.
Savenek blinked. The man he’d just spoken to was not only his real father, but also the emperor of Emperion and the commander of the Emperion army. Undoubtedly the most powerful and important man in the entire mainland—not just Emperion. Savenek couldn’t fathom the idea they were related.
Shaking his head in disbelief, he went over to the corner Darmik had pointed to. There was a square wooden door about two feet in diameter. He opened it. It must be the laundry chute. He eyed it suspiciously, pretty sure he wouldn’t fit inside. Reaching in, he felt around and determined the chute was larger inside than the door indicated. It was worth a shot. If he got stuck, well, he’d worry about that if it happened.
He squeezed his body through the opening and into the chute. His feet found purchase against the walls, and he eased his head and arms in. It was a little tight, his shoulders touching each side. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to remain calm as he lowered his body. With any luck, the chute wouldn’t narrow. It was slow going, but he eventually felt another door against his left shoulder. Pushing the door open, he peered into the room. There was a large desk, and the walls were lined with books. He climbed into the office.
He wondered why an office would have a laundry chute. Unless this used to be a bedchamber at one time. When he stepped farther into the room, movement came from one of the corners. He froze, realizing he didn’t have a weapon on him. Not that he needed one. However, a knife was nice to have in a fight.
A tall man appeared from the shadows. His tunic was pulled taut across his shoulders, his light brown hair was cropped close to his head, and there was a sword strapped to the man’s waist. “I was wondering how long it would take you to show up.”
Bullocks. It was Neco. Ari’s father and Darmik’s right-hand man.
Neco pulled the chair away from the desk and patted it. “Have a seat.”
Savenek swallowed. He felt like he’d entered an interrogation room—and he was the one going to be interrogated. Unsure how to address this infamous man, Savenek decided not to speak and to just do what Neco had asked.
When he sat on the chair, Neco took hold of the back of it and leaned down next to him. “Technically, you aren’t a prince yet, so I can address you informally.”
Since Savenek had been trained in the art of interrogation, he knew he shouldn’t say anything. However, his desire to make sure Ari was okay outweighed common sense. “How’s Mayra?” He hadn’t seen her since they escaped from Apethaga. Back when he didn’t know she was Mayra, Neco’s daughter. Back when he thought she was too far above his social class.
Neco’s eyes narrowed. He released the chair, then slowly moved to Savenek’s other side. He sat on the edge of the desk, assessing him. “I’ll be the one asking the questions tonight.”
Years of training with the Brotherhood and growing up with Nathenek had taught Savenek to keep his mouth shut. Not only that, but he also respected Neco. Not to mention Neco was Ari’s father. He patiently waited for the man to speak.
“My daughter told me how loyal you are to the crown.”
Savenek nodded. He believed there was nothing more important than protecting the royal family and Emperion. Strange to think the royal family now included him.
“I am here to make sure you really are as loyal as she claims.” Neco slid his large hand onto Savenek’s shoulder, squeezing it lightly.
Savenek forced himself not to flinch.
“Tell me, where do your loyalties lie?”
What was that supposed to mean? Was Neco questioning Savenek’s dedication to the kingdom? To the royal family? To Ari? Savenek had the urge to scoot away from Neco, but he refrained from doing so. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Blasted. He never got this nervous during hi
s training exercises.
“Answer the question.” Neco released Savenek’s shoulder, then casually folded his hands together on his lap.
The gesture didn’t fool Savenek. Neco was trying to intimidate him. It wouldn’t be so bad if the guy wasn’t Ari’s father. There was a reason he was doing this tonight, before Savenek was crowned prince and outranked him. He could respect that.
“My loyalty is to the rightful heir, Empress Rema.”
“And the royal family?”
“Are second to her.”
“Why?”
“Because she is the crown.” He thanked his lucky stars that Nathenek had hounded Emperion’s history into him.
Neco stood and moved to the other side of the desk, placing his palms on the surface so he now faced Savenek. “And tell me, since you are part of the royal family, does your loyalty change?”
Savenek wasn’t sure what Neco was getting at, so he decided to be honest. “I won’t pretend I’m not upset right now. I’ve been lied to my entire life. Rema and Darmik just showed up, told me I’m a prince, that I have a twin sister who was murdered, and they brought me here before I could even talk to Nathenek about everything.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve been trained my entire life to protect Emperion. I hope I can still put some of my skills to use.” That he wouldn’t be expected to be some court fop now that he was a prince.
Prince.
It felt like he’d been knocked off his feet in a sparring match. As the crown prince of Emperion, he would become the emperor when he turned thirty.
“I understand this is a surprise to you. It is to me as well. However, I need to make sure you are here willingly, that you plan to be a part of this family, and that you will do your duty.”
Family. Savenek had a mother and a father now. “I will.”
Neco leaned across the desk. “Even if that means you marry a princess from another kingdom?”
Savenek swallowed. He hadn’t considered that. But Neco expected an answer. “Yes.” Although, he wasn’t sure he meant it. Regardless, he’d worry about that later. Bloody hell. His body prickled with heat, sweat dripping down his cheeks.
Nodding, Neco stood upright. “Rema and Darmik have just lost their daughter. You’re all they have. I need you to be strong for them. Emperion won’t survive otherwise.”
“I understand.”
Neco unlocked the door. “I’ll escort you back to your bedchamber.”
Savenek didn’t want to go back to his confining room, but he dared not argue with Neco.
Out in the hallway, Brenek stood alongside another guard Savenek didn’t recognize. The two men fell in step behind Neco and Savenek, not saying a word.
“You’ll get used to it,” Neco said softly.
Savenek eyed him sidelong. “Used to what?”
“Having guards with you at all times.”
“Given my upbringing, I thought I’d be given more leeway.”
Neco chuckled. “I’ve had this conversation with Allyssa many times. She hated to be followed around. However, she understood the necessity. In fact, my son is—was—the head of her guard.”
Savenek remembered Nathenek saying something along those lines.
They went up a narrow stairwell and exited it just outside the Royal Chambers.
Neco stopped before the closed doors. “I will see you tomorrow after your run with your father.” He turned and left.
Savenek went inside, thankful neither Darmik nor Rema were still in the sitting room. He went down the hallway. When he reached his door, the two guards took up position on either side of it.
Savenek went in and stretched out on his bed, thinking over everything that had happened tonight. Rema had told him that sixteen years ago, someone tried to murder him and his twin sister Allyssa, so she separated them to ensure the royal line persevered. She had told the kingdom that Savenek died while she secretly smuggled him out of the castle. Her good friend, Nathenek, had just lost his wife and baby in childbirth, so it made for the perfect cover. Nathenek had raised Savenek like a son. Treated him like a son. Loved him like a son. And Nathenek had never breathed a word of Savenek’s true identity to him.
However, now that Russek’s King Drenton had murdered Allyssa, Savenek was expected to step in and fulfill his duty, becoming the crown prince of Emperion. A duty he hadn’t known existed until a few hours ago.
Savenek sat up in bed. He didn’t have to be here. He could leave, go back to his old life. Be an assassin. Live with Nathenek. Was that what he wanted? Rubbing his eyes, he tried to think clearly. His number one goal was to protect Emperion. Right now, the best way to help the kingdom was to step into his role as the prince. And, as much as it pained him to admit it, he liked the idea of having a mother. He wanted to get to know Rema better—if only to understand her decision. Did she really put Emperion above all else? Not only herself, but also her family? Was that what it meant to be the ruler of this great kingdom?
He flopped back on the bed. For now, he’d see what this life had to offer. In the back of his mind, he couldn’t stop thinking that maybe, just maybe, he was finally worthy of Ari.
Savenek
Savenek made his way out of his bedchamber. Two new guards stood posted on either side of the door. Trying not to let their presence bother him, he ignored them and headed to the sitting room.
He found Rema lying on the sofa, asleep. He stopped, not wanting to wake her. Her face was blotchy, as if she’d spent the night crying. She probably had. When he looked at her, he didn’t think of her as the empress or as his mother. She was just a woman who’d lost her daughter.
A shuffling noise came from behind him. Savenek turned and saw Darmik exiting a bedchamber farther down the hall. Darmik joined him, and they quietly left the Royal Chambers. They descended the staircase with half-a-dozen guards trailing them.
“You’ll get used to it,” Darmik said.
Savenek wasn’t sure he ever wanted to get used to people following him everywhere he went.
In the early morning light, Savenek was able to get a better view of the palace. Detailed paintings covered the ceiling, the doors appeared as if they were made from solid gold, and there were ornate vases filled with flowers everywhere. The palace felt…opulent and cold.
On the bottom floor, Darmik said, “We prefer to live at the castle in Lakeside. The only reason we are here is because this is farther from Russek, and this place has stronger fortifications than our other homes.”
After exiting the palace, they entered a lavish garden filled with roses and trimmed hedges. A group of two dozen soldiers stood at attention.
“At ease,” Darmik said to his men. “We’re going for a short five-mile run to the dunes and back.” He put his hand on Savenek’s shoulder. “This is my son Savenek. He will be officially crowned later today.”
Savenek didn’t know if he was supposed to say anything.
One of the soldiers cleared his throat. “Commander,” he said, “if I may, I’d like to speak on my squad’s behalf.”
Darmik nodded.
“We’re sorry for your loss,” the soldier said. “The princess will be missed.”
As one, the squad of soldiers lowered their heads. Each put his fist over his heart—a sign of respect and an oath. Savenek had a feeling these men were silently promising retribution for Allyssa’s death.
Darmik took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. “Thank you.”
“If we go to war with Russek,” the soldier said, “we’d like nothing more than to fight at your side.”
Darmik nodded. “After my son is crowned, I’ll go over the plan of attack.” He balled his hands into fists. “Drenton will pay for murdering my daughter.”
“When will the funeral be held?” the soldier asked.
“Immediately. I can’t leave until after my son is crowned and my daughter is buried. And I am eager to seek justice.”
Savenek wondered if Allyssa’s body had been recovered. Then he decided th
at was something he’d rather not think about.
“Let’s go.” Darmik started jogging.
Savenek ran next to him as they headed northward. The soldiers followed close behind, running in two straight lines.
As Savenek ran, he wondered what to say to Darmik. Savenek didn’t think of Darmik as his father. But running side by side, Savenek couldn’t help but notice the physical similarities. While Darmik was taller than Savenek, they each had the same build and facial structure.
“This is something Allyssa and I did together,” Darmik mumbled. “She loved to run through the forest behind the castle back home with me.”
“Is that one of the reasons you’re still here? Are there too many memories in Lakeside?”
Darmik shook his head. “I want to get Rema back to Lakeside as soon as possible. She enjoys that location far more than this one. It’s hard for her here. When we return home, though, I’m not sure how she’s going to handle going through Allyssa’s things.” He choked up, not offering anything else.
“I’m sorry,” Savenek said, because he didn’t know what else to say to someone who had just lost his child.
“You don’t need to be sorry,” Darmik said. “What I need is for you to be there for your mother.”
“I can do that.” At least, Savenek thought he could.
“And I need for you to help me get revenge.”
Savenek almost stumbled. He was going to be included in the plans to invade Russek? “I’ll do whatever you need me to,” he answered. Since Nathenek had sheltered him from anything even remotely dangerous, he thought he’d be excluded from any sort of combat with Russek. Maybe being a prince would have its perks.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” They ran out through the gate in the wall and continued northward, heading parallel to the city. The sun started to crest the mountain range in the distance, making the air hot and dry.
“I’ve been trained with the Brotherhood,” Savenek said. He wasn’t sure how much Darmik knew about his upbringing.
“I know. And I’m going to count on you to handle a few things for me. However, we will discuss the details later. With Neco present.”
Oath of Destruction: Reign of Secrets, Book 5 Page 2
