“You’re surrounded,” Jana said. “The only ones who can help you are on their knees, powerless.”
“That’s not true,” Allyssa retorted, surveying the area, looking for an advantage. “I don’t need them to save me. I can save myself.”
Jana snorted, and Tredek lunged for Allyssa across the table. She ducked and reached for the hilt of the sword strapped to the soldier next to her.
An explosion rocked the room, sending wood splinters flying everywhere. Allyssa fell to her side, missing the sword. The soldier collapsed on the ground next to her, a knife embedded in his chest. She scrambled backward and glanced under the table. Tredek was also crumpled on the floor, blood pooling around him. People screamed, running every which way in the mass chaos. Hands grabbed Allyssa’s upper arms, pulling her to her feet. She cried out and swung, punching her attacker in the ribcage.
“It’s me,” Odar hollered.
“What is going on?” she yelled. A series of war cries rang throughout the room.
“Kerdan’s Hunters are here. And just in time.” He yanked her to the side of the room, out of the way from the fighting. Swords clanked, men grunted, and the smell of smoke filled the room.
Kerdan’s Hunters were here? She wasn’t going to be mutilated in front of Darmik? Wiping the tears from her eyes, she turned so her back faced the wall, Odar at her side.
A dozen men dressed in furs spread throughout the room, wielding swords, axes, and spears. Many of the Russek soldiers cowered before them, surrendering rather than fighting the Hunters. Those who made the mistake of fighting were cut down with lethal and brutal efficiency.
“Where’s my father?” Allyssa didn’t see him or Kerdan anywhere in the fray.
“Darmik is fighting four men who just came running out of the hallway over there as if they’d seen a ghost.” He pointed to the left.
“Should we help him?”
“No, Kerdan was very specific with his orders. He said to move out of the way and stay in one place, no matter what.”
“He knew they were coming?”
“He didn’t know for certain,” Odar said. “There were several plans. This one happened to pan out.”
“Just in time,” she snapped.
“We wouldn’t have let anything happen to you.”
She didn’t see how that was possible. Something caught her attention, and she looked to her right. Jana was heading right for them.
“Allyssa,” Kerdan shouted.
She looked up toward where the voice came from.
Kerdan threw a dagger, and it embedded into the wall right next to her head. “She’s your kill.” He turned and struck a man down with his sword, keeping everyone away from where Allyssa stood.
Grabbing the hilt, Allyssa yanked it free and turned to face her enemy.
“Give me the weapon,” Odar said. “You distract her. I’ll kill her. This ends here and now. I’ve had enough of this woman.”
Holding the hilt, she stood and stared at Jana. Odar tried to take the weapon from her, but she shook her head, refusing to release it. Kerdan had given it to her—not Odar.
“Fine,” he huffed. “I’ll find one and approach her from behind. Stay here and don’t do anything stupid.”
When he left Allyssa’s side, Jana glanced between the two of them, deciding to let Odar go and focus on Allyssa.
“You’ve lost,” Allyssa said. “The prince’s men are here, and you’re outmatched.”
“That may be,” Jana said, moving closer. “But I’m not leaving here without killing you first. I want to know there won’t be a single day that Darmik doesn’t suffer from your loss.”
Allyssa readjusted her grip, then looked Jana up and down, not seeing a weapon. “I never knew there could be someone as evil as you.”
Jana laughed. “Your father made me this way.” She spoke as if she’d lost already—which wasn’t a good sign. Someone with nothing to lose was unpredictable and infinitely more dangerous.
Allyssa spied Odar coming up behind Jana, a sword in hand. Over half the soldiers had been disarmed. The remaining few would be neutralized within minutes. Kerdan grabbed Odar, preventing him from making the kill. Realization dawned on Odar, and his face went red with fury. He elbowed Kerdan in the stomach. With the two of them now fighting one another, it was up to Allyssa to kill the queen and restore Kerdan to the throne.
Remaining against the wall would do her no good, so she took a step forward, toward the woman who was responsible for killing Emperions, torturing Allyssa, and plunging Russek into poverty. Jana did not deserve to rule, did not deserve to live. But to kill... could Allyssa murder this woman? Yes, she could. To save Emperions and Russeks, she would do it.
Jana’s eyes narrowed, watching Allyssa push off the wall and approach with the knife in hand. Fear flashed in Jana’s eyes, and she took a step back and ran from the room. Allyssa sprinted after her. Jana couldn’t escape. Running through the dark hallways, Allyssa jumped over fallen bodies lying on the ground. The Hunters must have done this before the explosion detonated.
Jana frantically looked back. She turned corner after corner, trying to lose Allyssa. But Allyssa was fast from years of training and running with her father. Jana reached down, grabbing a fallen soldier’s sword. Allyssa did the same, wishing she wasn’t wearing a blasted dress. Coming to the front of the castle, Jana burst through the doors, running outside, Allyssa right on her heels.
While clouds still covered the sky; it was bright and Allyssa had to squint to see. Suddenly, everything was quiet without the fighting, clanking metal, and the sounds of men dying.
“I thought you wanted to kill me,” Allyssa yelled.
Jana spun around, swinging her sword, screaming a savage cry.
Allyssa held a knife in one hand, a sword in the other. No one else was around, and neither of them would have any help.
As she stood there facing her opponent, Allyssa realized that this was different. Instead of defending herself, she had to be the aggressor and attack. If she stood there contemplating murder, either Jana would become emboldened, or Allyssa would talk herself out of it. Jana had to die. She was too dangerous to be left alive.
After sliding the knife in her boot, Allyssa raised the sword and advanced. Jana parried the blow. Allyssa struck again, and Jana easily deflected it. Jana knew how to hold the sword, stand, and fight. Her lover must have taught her.
Jana swung low, and Allyssa had just enough time to jump out of the way. The sword was heavy and her arms would tire soon—but so would Jana’s. Allyssa just had to wear her out, then go in for the kill. Lifting the sword, she attacked, swinging as hard and fast as she could. Jana met each blow, her face wild. Allyssa didn’t stop. She started pushing forward, forcing Jana to step backward.
She was just about to do one last shove, making Jana trip and fall, when Jana dropped the sword and jumped to the side. Allyssa stumbled forward, and Jana hit her back. Allyssa cried out as she fell to the ground, Jana pouncing on her with fury. Twisting so her back was on the ground, Allyssa raised her arms, trying to hold Jana back.
Jana screamed, flailing her body, trying to tear Allyssa apart. “I hate you, you little harlot!” She reached back, withdrawing the knife from Allyssa’s boot.
Blimey. Nathenek had told Allyssa to do the unexpected in a fight—to give her opponent what he or she wanted. So she pretended Jana was too strong for her, and she went limp, letting Jana think she’d won.
“This is for murdering my children and the man I love.” Smiling, Jana raised her arms above her head, knife in hand, preparing to plunge it into Allyssa’s chest.
Allyssa lifted her legs, throwing them around Jana’s neck, flinging her back and coming to a sitting position so she now straddled Jana. Allyssa punched Jana’s arm, knocking the knife free. She grabbed the knife, Jana kicking and screaming, trying to buck Allyssa off. Allyssa brought the weapon down, embedding it into Jana’s stomach and twisting it to ensure a fatal wound.
�
��This is for Emperion and Russek. For the thousands of lives you destroyed in your unnecessary quest for revenge. Be lucky I’m being so merciful instead of slowly torturing you to death.”
Jana’s eyes widened in shock, her hands trying to pull the knife free. Allyssa pushed the knife in deeper, blood flowing like a riverbed, coating both their hands. Jana’s head fell to the side.
She was dead.
Allyssa scrambled off Jana, crawling several feet away before vomiting. Needing to get away from the body, she forced herself to stand, walking along the path to the side of the castle that led to a small vegetable garden. Between two planters, she fell to her knees, her entire body shaking. Heaving in deep breaths, she tried to rid herself of the wretched smell of death. Her fingers slid through the dirt, clutching it, using it in a desperate attempt to wipe off the blood.
“I take it Jana is dead?” a familiar voice said from behind her.
Allyssa glanced over her shoulder into the eyes of Nathenek. “Yes. Where’s Neco?”
“He is inside. I saw you follow Jana, so I came after you in case you needed my help.” He sat next to her, rubbing her back.
“I killed her.” She was responsible for killing an entire family. All to save her kingdom. A necessary evil that she would have to live with for the rest of her life. She sat next to Nathenek. “Where have you been?”
“We had several contingency plans in place,” he answered. “This,” he pointed at the duke’s castle, “was one of them. Neco, Hurit, Larek, and I slipped away right before the soldiers captured your father and Odar. Our instructions were to meet up with Kerdan’s men—who were tracking us—and then storm the castle. Once we had verification you were inside, we waited for the right opportunity and then came in.”
“I think you took the meaning of storm the castle a little too literally.”
He laughed. “The explosions came from one of Kerdan’s men. They’re a wicked bunch.”
A hawk flew high overhead, circling around, looking for prey. Everything seemed so peaceful. It was hard to believe they’d fought a small war in the duke’s home and dozens of bodies lay dead inside. Jana’s reign of terror was finally over. “What happens now?”
“Kerdan must act swiftly. He’ll need to go home to the capital, meet with the nobles to ensure their backing, execute all who supported Jana, and officially be crowned king.”
“Oh, is that all?” She rubbed her tired face, wondering where she fit in to this.
“You will return home with your father. What happens after that is completely up to you.”
“What will you do?” She knew he missed Savenek.
“Whatever your mother needs me to.”
Allyssa reached out, taking his hand. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For preparing me for today. I wouldn’t have survived without you pushing me like you did.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“And for supporting my mother, raising my brother, and being here for us when we needed it. You are a true friend.”
“Most of my life, I was an assassin. Nothing more than a tool to be used. It wasn’t until I met your mother that I knew and understood what a friend was.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder. They sat in silence, staring at a small bird perched on one of the tomato plants.
“We won’t stay in Russek to ensure Kerdan makes it to Clovek?” Allyssa asked.
“No. He doesn’t need us. He is perfectly capable of taking care of his kingdom.”
She closed her eyes, trying not to cry. It was over. This entire ordeal, her nightmares, all the demons. “I’d like for you to accompany me home.” She wanted Nathenek there for the reunion with her mother and brother. He deserved to be there after all he’d done.
“Then I will go with you.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her close.
Allyssa folded the letter and placed it in the bag along with the others. Her hand cramped from having written for so many hours without taking a break. When she stood, her chair scraped against the wooden floor. A soldier ducked into the room at the noise.
“This is the last one,” she said, handing him the bag. “Make sure these are delivered immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” He bowed and left the room.
Allyssa plopped back down on the chair and sighed. It had been a long day. After the battle, Darmik suggested letters be dispatched to the Russek nobility, letting them know Jana was dead and Kerdan would be ascending to the throne. With her upbringing, Kerdan thought she could word the letter better than he, so the responsibility fell to her. She’d been told to make it clear—join Kerdan or die.
Holed up alone in the office ended up being a blessing. She didn’t have to face anyone, nor did she have to deal with the aftermath of downstairs.
“I thought I’d find you still in here,” Darmik said as he came into the room. “Finished with the letters?” He sat on one of the chairs across the desk from her.
“Yes.” Her father had changed into clean clothes, which highlighted the dark circles under his eyes and revealed how exhausted he was. “Is everything under control?” she asked, really wanting to know if the dead had been removed and buried.
He nodded and leaned back in his chair. “I’ve made arrangements for us to leave tomorrow at first light. Get a good night’s sleep because I intend to ride all day.”
“Why are we in such a hurry to return home?” Not that she wasn’t eager to see her mother and Savenek; however, there was something else going on.
He stood and went to the window, looking outside, his back to her. “An unforeseen complication.”
“What is it?” Her father always planned for every contingency.
“I just received word that Telmena is furious with us. They heard you received an offer of marriage from Kerdan and are adamant Emperion and Russek do not align through marriage.”
Blasted. She hadn’t even considered Telmena in this. “Why do we care what they think?” They wouldn’t attack over that, would they?
“We have a responsibility to listen to their concerns. They are an influential kingdom on good terms with Fren. Those two kingdoms together are quite large. It is not wise to dismiss what they say without careful consideration.”
Allyssa laid her head down on the desk. “Does it ever end?” She groaned. There was always something going on, another kingdom to worry about, politics around every corner. It was exhausting.
“No. That’s why it’s imperative to choose a partner to spend your life with who can help with the burden.”
A partner, not a political alliance to strengthen the kingdom. “How do you know Telmena is upset?” Her father had been in Russek for well over a week now.
“Odar just received a letter from his parents stating that Fren and Telmena agree Emperion and Russek should not be united.”
Allyssa laughed. “You can’t be serious.”
“Unfortunately, I am.” He sat back down on the chair, crossing his legs.
“How dare they say what I can or cannot do?” She wanted to punch something. Swallowing her anger, she waited for her father to respond.
“I agree with you,” he replied. “But we must tread carefully.” He looked pointedly at her.
“Well, Fren does not get to dictate who I do or do not marry. Not anymore. They lost that right.”
“I agree.”
She eyed her father. “If you agree, then why are you telling me this?”
“You need to know what’s going on throughout the mainland. When we return home, you will resume your position as the crown princess. You will be taking on a more active role in running the kingdom.”
“Excellent.” Especially since she wasn’t going to be able to become Lilly anymore. She closed her eyes, picturing Grevik. When things settled down, she would visit his mother.
“Which brings me to the next item I wish to discuss with you.”
Allyssa opened her eyes and looked at h
er father.
“You must decide what you want. I need to start planning how we will handle each scenario.”
She assumed he meant with regards to Kerdan. “What do you think is best for Emperion?”
“All that matters is your happiness. I want you to decide what you want. You deserve to be happy after all you’ve been through.”
“If I don’t marry Kerdan, who do you suggest I marry?” Another prince from a neighboring kingdom? A rich duke’s son?
“Marry, don’t marry. I no longer care. The choice is yours.”
She couldn’t breathe. The choice was hers. “You truly don’t care?”
“There are pros and cons to both. No matter what you choose, there will be political ramifications. As Kerdan has so kindly pointed out, you are more than capable of making your own decisions and taking care of yourself. Therefore, instead of me telling you what to do, you decide.” He stood.
“Do you at least have an opinion as to what’s best for Emperion?”
“A happy princess.” He came over and kissed her head. “No matter what you choose, the kingdom will survive.” He left the room.
Allyssa remained sitting on the chair, stunned by her father’s change of heart. Somehow, his support and confidence in her lifted a huge weight from her shoulders. One she hadn’t even realized was there. She would rule Emperion. She would be a fair leader who protected her people. And she would continue the line of succession to her own children. Now, all she had to do was pick a partner to take the journey with.
Allyssa stood at the edge of the rooftop, overlooking the gardens below. The duke’s home was only a couple of stories tall, so it did not afford a spectacular view of the surrounding land like her castle in Lakeside did. However, being out here late at night with the full moon shining above, the wind caressing her skin, reminded her of home. Of how far she had come. How much had changed.
“I thought I’d find you out here,” Odar said from behind her.
She stiffened at the sound of his voice. How long had he been standing there?
He came next to her, leaning against the stone edge. “I don’t much care for Russek.”
Cage of Destiny: Reign of Secrets, Book 3 Page 22