Cage of Deceit (Reign of Secrets Book 1)

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “Since the assassin is here, you can’t be with your parents right now. We have to keep you at a separate location. Otherwise, if the assassin found the three of you, he could kill the royal family and throw Emperion into chaos. Neco is aiding your parents in their departure. They are leaving right now on horseback. Decoys are already in the Royal Chambers. Your father instructed me to keep you safe until the assassin is found. He also told me to tell you that he loves you.”

  “Why are you telling me this? Why not Marek?”

  “Marek is searching for the assassin. The man could have escaped through the servants’ stairwell in all the chaos, which means the assassin could be roaming the hallways right now.”

  “Marek is always at my side—especially in a situation such as this one.”

  Jarvik ran his hands through his hair. “I know, and I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I had a long conversation with your father earlier today. He entrusted you to my care. I promised to keep you safe, and I intend to honor that promise.”

  She was surprised her father chose Jarvik as her protector since Marek was the one she grew up with and trusted.

  “You can ask Marek the next time you see him,” Jarvik added. “I am the one in charge of your safety until we return to Emperion and I relinquish the responsibility to your father once again.”

  She didn’t need anyone to be in charge or responsible for her. She could take care of herself.

  “There is one problem,” he said.

  “What?” she asked, wishing Jarvik wasn’t sitting so close to her, that his head wasn’t leaning against hers.

  “Grevik.” The squire was quiet for quite some time. “Allyssa,” he finally said, “with the assassin showing up here tonight, I think it would be best for us to leave tomorrow night as planned. Staying an additional day is too risky.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not leaving until he’s safe.”

  “We don’t even know where he is.”

  “Then I guess we better find out.”

  “Are you always this difficult?”

  “You’re the one being difficult, not me,” she snapped.

  “Unbelievable. Your life is in danger and all you care about is your friend. If you die, what happens to the kingdom? Is your friend’s life more important than the welfare of your subjects? Where do your loyalties lie?”

  She wanted to kick him. After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, she said, “What kind of friend would I be if I allowed him to die? I have to try.”

  “It’s not worth the risk.”

  “Maybe not to you, but it is to me.”

  His hand came up, cupping the back of her neck and holding her against him. “This is the last time I’ll ask you this question. Are you in love with Grevik?”

  “No,” she replied. “He is my best friend.”

  He cursed. “At least you’re loyal,” he said. “Fine. We’ll attempt to rescue him. But we’re using my plan. Don’t even try to argue with me—you already promised.”

  “What is this plan of yours?”

  “We’re sending in a decoy.”

  “He’ll know it’s not me.”

  “But if he’s at the inn, then Grevik will be alone, giving us the perfect opportunity to rescue him.”

  She wanted to kiss Jarvik—his plan might work. They just needed to figure out where Grevik was being held.

  “I have men searching for him,” Jarvik admitted.

  A clicking sound made by one of the guards echoed through the room, and the squire stilled. His lips went to her ear again. “Don’t move or say a word.”

  They stayed like that, their heads frozen together as slow footsteps echoed in the hallway. Allyssa had no idea if it was a guest, a guard, or the assassin. Regardless, she didn’t move as she held on to Jarvik, waiting for the threat to pass. When the guard repeated the clicking noise, Jarvik released her.

  “Close your eyes and go to sleep,” he ordered. “We have a lot to do tomorrow, which includes trying to make it through the day without being killed.”

  ***

  When Allyssa opened her eyes, she found herself leaning against the wall with Jarvik’s head on her lap. He looked peaceful while he slept; his mouth slightly ajar, his hair messy, and his face vulnerable. She trailed her finger along the side of his cheek. When he nuzzled closer to her, she realized what she was doing and quickly nudged him awake.

  Blinking, he immediately sat up. “Sorry,” he muttered as he stretched. “Stay here while I go and obtain an update from my men.”

  He headed over to the front of the library where his guards were positioned by the shelves and desks watching the entrance.

  After speaking to them, Jarvik came back over to her. “I must check on Prince Odar, and I need to talk with Marek.”

  “Did they catch the assassin?” she asked as she stood.

  “No. You won’t be able to go anywhere without a dozen guards. Are we clear?”

  He instructed his soldiers to escort her to her bedchamber. She was only to be granted entrance once it had been thoroughly checked and under no circumstances was she to be left alone.

  The bars of her cage felt like they were collapsing in on her.

  ***

  She spent the remainder of the day with Marek in the training room. After they sparred, he taught her the smell of the most common poisons, how to tend knife wounds, and other various safety skills he felt were important to know with an assassin hunting her.

  On her way back to her bedchamber to dress for dinner, Prince Odar joined her.

  “Where’s your squire?” she asked.

  “Preparing our entourage for our departure next week. He’s securing inns along the way for lodging, organizing the plethora of soldiers accompanying us, and trying to decide how many trunks of clothing we can bring.” He chuckled.

  She suspected the prince knew the truth; however, with so many people nearby, he couldn’t discuss their real plans.

  When they entered her bedchamber, there was a small box sitting in the middle of her bed.

  “Who left this?” she asked the guards stationed in her room.

  “It’s been there all afternoon,” one of them responded.

  “It wasn’t here when I left this morning with Marek. It had to have arrived afterwards. The five of you have been here all day?”

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “I’ll check into it,” Marek said, coming into the room behind her. He went over to the box. “Stand back,” he ordered as he slowly lifted the lid. Marek hissed at the sight of the box’s contents. His eyes darted around the room. “Take the princess out of here,” he demanded. Guards surrounded her, and they took her out of her bedchamber to the sitting room.

  Marek and Prince Odar joined her shortly after. The prince’s face was white as snow, and he swayed on his feet. Marek wouldn’t even look at her.

  “Tell me,” she said, fearing something had happened to her parents.

  “I need to speak with Jarvik.” Prince Odar hurried from the room, tripping over his feet in his haste to exit.

  “Marek,” she whispered. “What is it?”

  “Give us space,” he ordered the guards. When everyone backed away, he said, “I’m so sorry.” He clutched the black box between his shaking hands.

  “Let me see.”

  “You don’t want to, trust me.”

  “Then tell me,” she begged. Her head started to throb.

  “Grevik,” Marek softly said. “There’s a … bloody finger inside along with a note. It says: Come to the inn tonight or it’ll be his head tomorrow.”

  She grabbed the nearby vase full of flowers and hurled it across the room. It hit the wall and shattered, muting her scream. The assassin had cut off Grevik’s finger. She would kill him with her bare hands for doing that to her friend. She started pacing the room. This man was an assassin. She was the crown princess. She could, and would, outsmart the man who had kidnapped and tortured her friend. He should fear her, for
he’d crossed the line.

  “Assemble the elite guard in the war room,” she ordered Marek. “I want you and Jarvik there as well.”

  “Allyssa, we need to proceed with your father’s plans. We can’t deviate from them. I’m under orders.”

  “I understand,” she replied. “However, I am the one in charge right now, and I gave you an order. I suggest you follow it before I throw you in the dungeon; are we clear? And it’s Your Highness, not Allyssa.”

  Marek’s eyes widened in shock. She’d never spoken to him in such a way, but if she wanted to save her friend, she had to be just as ruthless as the man she was going up against.

  ***

  The princess stood at the front of the room, all eyes on her. Jarvik’s lips were pulled tight, as if he wanted to say something or take control. However, he kept his mouth shut and remained seated. Allyssa gave the entire guard Grevik’s description, along with a detailed account of the room he was being held in. She dispatched a few of the men to head up searches throughout the entire city for her friend. The remaining men were going to accompany her to the inn.

  “Your Highness,” Marek interrupted. “Don’t you think the assassin is anticipating you doing this?”

  She raised her eyebrows, ready to respond, when Jarvik’s chair scraped backwards and he abruptly stood. “Your Highness,” he said. “I have an idea.” He looked pointedly at her, reminding Allyssa of her promise to him last night.

  “Very well,” she responded. “Let’s hear it.”

  “I’d like to put a decoy in your place. Send her to the inn. We can have soldiers in plain clothing already stationed there as well as along the alleyway where the secret exit is located.”

  “He’ll know it’s not me,” she said.

  He nodded.

  “He’ll probably kill the decoy,” she said.

  “Not necessarily.”

  “A decoy won’t be adequately equipped to deal with the assassin,” she said. “It has to be me.”

  “There are women who can fight,” Marek said.

  “Please, think this through,” Jarvik added. “You can’t make choices with your emotions.”

  Bloody hell. He was right, and they both knew it.

  “I know you’re angry,” Jarvik continued. “I am too. If we’re careful about this, we can get the revenge you seek.”

  She slowly nodded, reason setting in. “Very well. Can I count on you to organize this?”

  “It would be my honor,” Jarvik replied. “In return, I need your promise that your father’s plan will be put in place—whether Grevik is rescued or not.”

  She glanced at Marek. He nodded, indicating he agreed with Jarvik.

  “I promise.”

  She stood facing a young girl of similar age, height, and build. They both wore the same outfit—brown pants, boots, tunic, and cape.

  “It’s an honor, Your Highness,” the girl said.

  “What’s your name?” Allyssa inquired.

  “Bri,” she replied.

  “Do you know how to fight?”

  “My father and brother are both in the army. I can fight.”

  Allyssa studied Bri for a moment. She stood with her feet shoulder-width apart, leaning slightly forward as if she was ready to pounce if need be. There were also a few small scars on her hands, indicating she’d been in some scrapes.

  “Very well,” Allyssa said, approving of the girl. “The first thing he’ll do is remove your weapons.”

  “I know,” Bri replied. “Your men have gone over what to expect and what to do. You can count on me. I promise.”

  Jarvik knocked and entered the room. “It’s time,” he said. “The decoy will leave with Marek and a handful of guards—just as you would have done. We’ll wait a few minutes and then follow them.”

  Marek turned to Allyssa. “Stay with Jarvik and do exactly as he says. I can’t do my job if I’m worrying about you.”

  “I promise,” she said.

  “As soon as the assassin has Bri, I’ll wait for you and Jarvik to follow them, and then I’ll trail you guys.”

  “Be safe,” she added.

  He nodded and took the decoy, leaving with half a dozen guards.

  Jarvik strapped two daggers to his forearms. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider? We can do this without you.”

  “I want to be there,” Allyssa answered.

  “I know, and I understand why. Sometimes, though, you have to allow others to help you. You have to be able to trust other people.”

  Sliding two additional daggers in her boots, she said, “You mean like you do?” She adjusted the hood of her cape.

  “It was worth a shot,” he grumbled. “Fine, let’s go.”

  As they traveled through the city, Jarvik’s eyes roamed over every inch of the streets, searching for threats. “You know, I almost locked you in the dungeon tonight.”

  “Why?”

  “For your own safety while I rescued Grevik. Then I realized that if something happened, and your friend got hurt or died, you’d order my execution.” He shrugged. “You’d probably kill me yourself. So I decided against it.”

  She chuckled.

  “You think it’s funny?”

  “No. I like the way you think,” she said. “I must say, you’ve surprised me.”

  “The feeling is quite mutual.”

  They turned onto a street a block away from the inn. Slowing their pace, Jarvik’s eyes darted to the rooftops.

  “Something’s off,” he quietly mumbled. “Hide in the nearby doorway.”

  Pulling out one of her daggers, Allyssa did as he requested. While she leaned against the door, Jarvik stood a few feet in front of her, observing the rooftop across the street.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “One of my men isn’t in position,” he answered as he slid in the doorway alongside her.

  They stood there waiting for several minutes, neither one of them speaking. Since they hadn’t been able to locate Grevik, their only hope was following the assassin to his hideout and rescuing Grevik there.

  “Let’s go,” Jarvik said, waving her forward. “They’re moving.”

  “Is the decoy with the assassin?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  Allyssa stayed by Jarvik’s side as he swiftly advanced through the streets. He kept glancing up at one of his men on the rooftops. They came to the wealthy part of the city where mostly homes were located.

  Since there were hardly any people about, Jarvik remained concealed in the shadows of nearby homes and bushes. He squatted next to a tree, pulling Allyssa down with him. “There,” he whispered in her ear, pointing ahead of them.

  A man wearing a black cape with a woman by his side walked up the pathway to a dark house. Allyssa couldn’t tell if the girl was blindfolded or not because of her hood. Jarvik crouched and followed them, Allyssa at his heels.

  Instead of going up to the front door, the assassin skirted around the side of the house. Behind the property there was a smaller house, probably used by servants. The assassin led the woman up a flight of stairs to the entrance of the smaller house. He opened the door, and they disappeared inside.

  “Let’s go,” Jarvik said, pulling out a knife. He raised his arm and six soldiers slid out of the shadows.

  As they approached the house, three soldiers took the lead, Jarvik and Allyssa following, while the remaining three soldiers brought up the rear. Clutching onto her dagger, Allyssa tried to calm her raging nerves as she crept up the stairs. At the door, they paused and listened to the voices arguing inside. A female scream pierced the air and Allyssa grabbed Jarvik’s hand, trying to steady herself so she didn’t burst through the door and ruin the plan. Jarvik held up his other hand and made a fist. Everyone armed themselves, preparing to fight. Already holding one dagger, Allyssa withdrew a second one and nodded. Jarvik pointed at the door and the first three soldiers stormed inside, Allyssa running in behind them, ready to attack the assassin.

  A
s she stepped through the threshold, two soldiers lay on the ground, lifeless, with daggers protruding from their chests. Bri clutched her side, blood oozing out of a knife wound. In the center of the room, slumped over on the chair, sat an unmoving Grevik. Blood pooled on the floor beneath him.

  A rushing sound filled Allyssa’s ears, and she became dizzy. The remaining soldiers entered and searched for the assassin, who was nowhere in sight.

  “Check the floorboards to see if any are loose,” Jarvik ordered. “You and you, search the outside perimeter. Hurry.”

  The room swayed before her, and she stumbled.

  Marek stormed inside with the six Emperion soldiers. He ran to Grevik, touching his neck to locate his pulse. Marek lifted Grevik’s eyelids and then turned to face Allyssa. “I’m so sorry,” he said.

  “He can’t be dead,” she said as she took a step back and bumped into one of her soldiers.

  “Forgive me,” the soldier said as he lifted his sword with shaking hands and placed the blade against her throat. “The assassin has my family.”

  “Don’t do this,” Marek pleaded as he righted himself.

  Her soldier wrapped his arm around her upper body, pinning her arms down. She was unarmed since both of her daggers had fallen to the floor when she saw Grevik.

  “If I deliver the princess,” the soldier said, his blade piercing her skin, “he’ll let my family go.”

  “That’s what he told us about this man.” Jarvik nodded toward Grevik’s limp body. “The assassin didn’t keep his word. He’s probably lying about your family. Release the princess, and we’ll help you rescue your wife and children.”

  The soldier slowly shook his head. “You don’t understand,” he said, his voice shaking. “He’ll kill them.”

  “You took an oath,” Marek said. “If you take the princess, you’ll be a traitor. You’ll be hanged.”

  “But my wife and kids will be safe.”

  “No, they won’t,” Jarvik insisted. “If you don’t release the princess, your family will be arrested for your crimes.”

  “No … no …” the soldier cried. “I have to take her to him. He promised.”

  Allyssa saw the small knife in Jarvik’s hand. He shifted his grip, and she knew he was going to throw it at the soldier who held her. However, she had no intention of being the damsel in distress who needed rescuing. Her father was a legendary commander for a reason.