By now, Allyssa knew to pay close attention to what Kerdan did—and didn’t—say. Preferred hinted at a plan for both courses of action. And from the sound of it, he must still intend to kill Jana as soon as he had a chance. But Neco and Nathenek were missing. Maybe they were on their way to the duke’s right now to kill the queen.
“You are single-handedly responsible for us being captured,” Odar insisted.
“How is Kerdan responsible?” she asked. Odar was probably just upset to find himself in this situation again, and he was taking his anger and frustration out on Kerdan.
Darmik closed his eyes, leaning his head against the tree trunk, apparently not interested in their conversation.
Odar scooted closer to her, his face red with fury. “If he’d been paying attention to the task at hand, he would have noticed all the soldiers in the forest, and we wouldn’t have been captured.”
“So you noticed the soldiers?” Allyssa countered, wiggling against her bindings. If she could free her arms, she would punch him.
He tilted his head to the side, raising his eyebrows infinitesimally. Oh. He must have noticed the soldiers then. Perhaps that was how Neco, Nathenek, Hurit, and Larek managed to escape. Why didn’t Odar or Darmik sneak away? Neither looked like they had put up a fight.
“Did you know this would happen?” she whispered to Darmik. He shook his head. “How are you so calm right now?”
Her father sighed and looked at her. “One, I’m trying to think of a plan. Two, I’m conserving my energy. Three, I’m tired. Any more questions?”
“No.”
“I still don’t see the point in blaming me,” Kerdan uttered. “In town, there was no talk of soldiers being in the area.”
“That’s my point,” Odar said. “You were so busy drooling over Allyssa that you missed what was right in front of you.”
Odar had used her name, confirming for these soldiers her identity—a princess, not a whore.
Kerdan chuckled, the sound dark and menacing. “I don’t miss what’s right in front of me, nor do I throw what’s valuable away.”
Odar stiffened. “What did you say?”
“You heard me.”
“I broke up with her because I love her,” Odar hissed.
“Really?” Kerdan said. “You love her so much you decided to hurt her on purpose? Without even consulting her on the matter? That doesn’t sound like love to me.”
Allyssa was sitting right there; yet, she couldn’t get a word in.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Odar said. “I’m a prince. To effectively rule my kingdom, I need to remain focused on my people and what is best for them. I can’t let emotions get in the way.”
“Pathetic excuses.”
“No, I’m being practical. If we married, she could have been used against me. I learned that from Russek. From you.”
“You broke up with her so you’d be a better ruler? I’m confused, because I think she would have helped make you a better leader to your people.”
“Love is a weapon, and I won’t let it destroy me.”
“I disagree,” Darmik interjected. He sat up straight, addressing Odar. “Love doesn’t make you weak; it makes you strong. Rema and I used to argue about this very thing. Now that I’m older, and presumably wiser, I can adamantly say that love doesn’t cripple. It empowers.”
“Okay,” Odar said. “Then how did we end up here? Kerdan let his guard down because of his emotional connection to Allyssa. If he’d kept a platonic relationship with her, we wouldn’t have been captured.”
Darmik laughed. “Again, I disagree. What happened between Kerdan and my daughter was about hormones.”
“Bloody hell,” Allyssa blurted out, unable to believe her father had just said that.
“Watch your language,” Darmik snapped. “And if it wasn’t about hormones, then tell us why Kerdan is without a shirt and what happened between the two of you in the forest right before you were captured?”
Heat crept up her neck and over her face. “He doesn’t have a shirt because he participated in a sanctioned fight at the tavern.” She left out the other, rather unnecessary, information.
“You forget I was your age once,” Darmik said with a smile.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Odar mumbled. “Did you kiss him?” he demanded.
“That’s none of your business,” Allyssa replied.
“I knew he was trailing you around like a dog, but I didn’t think you would stoop so low as to kiss the mutt.”
There was a flash of black, and then Odar fell over. Kerdan, with his hands still tied behind his back, was kneeling next to him. “Sorry,” he murmured. “He was getting on my nerves. I knocked him out with my boot. He’ll be okay in a bit.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Darmik replied. “He deserved it.”
Allyssa blinked. Kerdan sat back down. Well, that solved that problem.
“Do you truly believe love makes you stronger?” Allyssa asked her father.
“Yes. Without a doubt.”
“What do you think?” she asked Kerdan.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve never been in love before. Of course, I’ve never been captured before either, so there’s that.” He grinned.
“There will always be people who use love as a weapon,” Darmik said. “That is because they do not understand love. You cannot live your life without love.”
“But in this case, do you think if Kerdan and I had, uh, been more focused, we wouldn’t have walked into this trap?” Because of Odar’s accusations, she felt guilty for her actions—as if she were responsible for their current predicament.
“We’ll never know,” Darmik answered. “Maybe, maybe not. It does no good to wonder what if. We must decide what we do from here.” He turned his attention to Kerdan. “You’re starting to grow on me.”
Kerdan grunted. “I have an idea on what we can do.”
“Perhaps in a few hours when more of the guards are asleep,” Darmik murmured.
Odar moaned.
“I hoped he’d be knocked out a lot longer,” Kerdan said. “Damn thick head of his.”
“Oh, one more thing,” Darmik said, steel creeping into his tone as he leaned against the tree again. “I don’t want to ever hear about the two of you kissing while traipsing half-naked through the forest. Is that understood?”
Allyssa buried her face against her knees, wanting to crawl under a blanket and hide. How could her father be so embarrassing?
“Trust me, sir, the next time, you won’t hear about it,” Kerdan replied.
Something poked Allyssa’s back when she rolled over. With her eyes still closed, sleep hovering at the edges, she shoved away the rock she’d inadvertently laid on. Peering through hooded eyes, she saw that most of the soldiers were asleep on the ground. The fire in the center of the camp had died down to a mere glimmer. The men who’d been assigned to guard her group were off to the side playing a card game, none of them paying her any heed.
Sighing, she closed her eyes, hoping to fall back asleep so she’d have enough energy to face whatever came her way tomorrow. It was hard enough to sleep with her father in front of her, Odar at her feet, and Kerdan sleeping at her back. Darmik had insisted on this arrangement, asserting it was for her protection.
“We need to plan,” Darmik said. “Everyone awake?”
“Yup,” Odar whispered.
“I’m up,” Kerdan replied.
“Me too,” Allyssa said. “Are we going to try to escape now?”
“That is not our goal,” Darmik said. “Our mission is to kill Jana. Given the circumstances, this may be our only opportunity. We must take it.”
“We should get Allyssa out of here,” Odar said. “There’s no reason she can’t escape. Then the three of us will go to the duke’s house without her.”
She wanted to scream. Why did Odar constantly feel the need to coddle her?
“What do you want to do, Allyssa?” Darmik asked, his
voice tight. “We can try to find a way for you to escape, or you can continue on with us.”
She knew her father would prefer for her to be somewhere safe—far, far away from Jana. However, being alone in the forest, fleeing for her life in Russek, wasn’t necessarily a better option. Regardless, she wanted to be there. Wanted to see Jana die. “I’ll stay.”
Darmik gave a sharp sigh. “Very well. Once we enter the duke’s residence—”
“There’s a guard coming,” Kerdan broke in.
No one said a word as a guard strolled past. Once he was far enough away, Darmik whispered, “We must strike hard and fast. The second we step foot in the duke’s residence, obtain a weapon. When we’re brought before Jana, I’m sure she’ll want to speak to each of us in order to gloat. During that time, one of us should have the chance to kill her while she’s distracted. Take it. If we don’t do it before we’re hauled to the dungeon, it’s over.”
“Whoever takes that shot is going to be killed,” Odar commented.
“That is a strong possibility,” Kerdan murmured. “And one I’m willing to take.”
“Are you willing to let Allyssa take it?” Odar asked.
“I am not her keeper,” he replied.
“I want to be there,” she insisted. She needed to know the woman was truly dead and unable to harm her ever again.
“How can you let your daughter walk into the lion’s den?” Odar asked, anger coating each word.
Darmik shifted. “I’d rather her be where I can see her than wandering through the forest chased by soldiers with ill intentions. At least with us, I know she will be protected.”
Odar snorted.
“What of Neco, Nathenek, Hurit, and Larek?” Kerdan asked.
“We don’t know if they’re in position,” Darmik responded. “As of now, they’re our backup plan.”
“For the record, this is a foolish plan,” Odar said.
“Do you have a better idea?” Kerdan asked.
“Not now.”
“Stop arguing.” Darmik sighed. “I want everyone to go to sleep. We’ll need to be alert tomorrow, not dragging our feet in a daze.”
Allyssa rolled onto her side and closed her eyes, trying not to think about what they would be walking into in a few hours. Her father was right—Jana wouldn’t immediately kill them. First, she would torture them as much as possible. Kerdan, Odar, and Darmik were proficient fighters. Between the three of them, one should have a chance to kill the queen. And if Allyssa had the opportunity, she would take it.
Just as she started to drift off again, a warm breath caressed her neck. Her heart beat frantically. Was it Kerdan? It had to be.
“For us to survive this tomorrow,” he whispered, so softly she knew no one else could hear, “I need you to be the fighter I know you can be. I need you to be you.”
She wanted to roll over and trace the lines of his face with her finger. However, she was bound and she feared moving would awaken her father. Instead, she blindly reached for Kerdan’s arm, squeezing it.
“Do you honestly have feelings for him?” Odar asked Allyssa as they made their way through the forest, soldiers surrounding them on their way to the duke’s residence where, presumably, Jana was waiting for them. Odar walked a step behind her, Darmik and Kerdan about ten feet back.
“Why do you care?” she asked. A thick dew blanketed the land.
“You never showed any interest in Jarvik,” he said. “I thought it would take more than flattery to get your attention.”
She kicked her leg back, hitting his knee. He stumbled but caught himself before falling on his face.
“What the hell was that?” he asked indignantly.
“Me telling you to mind your own business and stop worrying about me,” she replied, her tone clipped. “Besides, Kerdan isn’t the sort of man to flatter.”
“No, not the same way Jarvik did,” Odar said. “But he flatters you in other ways. Does he appeal to your strong-willed side? Say what a good fighter you are? How adept you are at taking care of yourself?”
She did not care for Odar’s implications. Now was hardly the time for them to be arguing.
“What? No reply? No retort? How unlike you.”
They came to the edge of the forest. A sizeable field extended before them. About a mile away, a stone castle stood. That must be the duke’s home. Dark gray clouds hung overhead, promising rain.
“He’s only using you,” Odar muttered.
If her hands weren’t tied together, she’d strangle him. “What is it you want from me?” she practically cried. “You broke our marriage contract. You left me. Now that I’m moving on, you’re acting like a petulant child. I don’t understand you. This is already difficult enough for me. I don’t need you rubbing salt in my wounds.” She sped up, wanting to put some space between them.
“I’m sorry,” he replied. “It’s hard to watch the two of you together.”
“Then don’t watch.”
“I still love you.”
The words were like a knife to her heart. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. When she reopened them, she continued walking. “We’re about to face Jana. I think you should be a little more focused on what’s before us instead of me.”
“That’s my point,” he said, catching up to her. “I severed our marriage contract to keep you safe.”
“So you claim.”
“Look where it has gotten us.”
“I’m not following you.” She scanned the area around the duke’s home, not seeing any soldiers stationed around the perimeter.
“I’m trying to explain that I want to marry you.”
“That’s nice.” She screamed inside, a plethora of emotions taking hold ranging from joy to utter rage. Should she yell or cry?
“That’s all you have to say?”
“There is nothing to say. You already made your choice. It is done.”
“Now I’m unmaking it.”
“Too late.” She felt her jaw quiver as tears threatened. Kerdan and Darmik were behind them, listening to everything they said. Odar was no fool—he was careful and calculating. He knew they had listeners.
“It can’t be too late,” he insisted.
“You broke my heart once. I will not allow you to do it again.”
“Do you love me?”
There would always be a part of her heart that loved him. “I did. Until you destroyed that love.” She didn’t want to be mean, just to state the facts.
His face fell, as if she’d slapped him. Odar had told one too many lies, dealt one too many tricks, and hurt her one too many times to warrant forgiveness.
As they approached the duke’s residence, Kerdan and Darmik came closer to Allyssa and Odar. “What’s the plan?” she whispered, wondering how to obtain a weapon when her hands were tied behind her back.
“Try to stay alive,” Darmik replied.
“That’s it?” she asked, appalled by his blunt attitude. When she peered at the soldiers around them, one familiar man caught her eye. Was that Hurit? She quickly glanced away, not wanting to spoil anything in case it was him. Were Neco and Nathenek here among these men as well? She hated not knowing where they were.
They neared the castle’s entrance. The three-story building had turrets at each of the four corners. No windows were visible.
“For the record,” Kerdan said, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. “My first order will be to execute those who supported Jana, the false queen, and not me. All of you know the line of succession passes from father to son. Jana was not born in this kingdom, and she has no right to rule. She is responsible for the king’s death, and will be punished accordingly for her crimes.” They came to a stop of the castle’s main entrance. “Let us not forget,” Kerdan continued. “I control a portion of the army. My men are responsible for leading the invasion into Melenia. I also control the Hunters—an elite force of soldiers you will never see coming until it is too late. If I were you, I’d be very careful whose sid
e you choose.”
The hefty double doors swung open. Two men dressed in solid black with the Russek crest embroidered on their tunics exited. “Do you have the prisoners?” one asked.
“We do,” a soldier replied. “Just as the queen demanded.” He faltered on the word queen, no doubt thinking about Kerdan’s blatant threat.
“Bring the prisoners inside,” the man ordered. “Queen Jana is expecting them, and she has a special surprise planned.”
A soldier came up behind Allyssa, shoving her past the threshold and into the duke’s castle.
Hands grabbed hold of Allyssa, dragging her along.
“Let go,” Kerdan ordered. “We will not be herded through this castle like sheep going to be slaughtered.” There were scuffling noises, and then Kerdan was at her side. The soldier took one look at Kerdan’s furious face and released her.
“Fine. But no funny business. Move it.” The man pointed down the dark hallway lit only by the occasional torch.
“Keep your head up and do as they say,” Kerdan mumbled in her ear.
She glanced over her shoulder. Darmik and Odar were right behind them, guards hovering nearby, no longer touching them.
Kerdan took long strides as he stalked through the castle, looking ready to tear the arms off the soldiers near them. Allyssa shivered, realizing he probably could without much exertion. The bindings around her wrists came loose. Kerdan walked as if nothing had changed, his arms casually at his sides, his bindings gone as well. Scrunching up the rope in her hand, Allyssa slid it into the pocket of her dress.
The dim hallway made it difficult to see much of anything. Kerdan’s shoulder rubbed against hers as he pushed steel into her palm. Her fingers closed over the small dagger, sliding it up her sleeve and out of sight—just as she’d learned to do when training with Nathenek in Emperor’s City. These men couldn’t discover her newly acquired weapon. It could mean the difference between life and death.
They rounded the corner and entered a great sitting room. Three dozen soldiers stood around the perimeter. In the center, Jana sat on a sofa with her arm draped over her legs, a goblet of wine in her hand. A fire burned in the hearth, heating the room.
Cage of Destiny: Reign of Secrets, Book 3 Page 20