Cage of Deceit (Reign of Secrets Book 1) (15 page)

***

They made into the city without incident. True to Jarvik’s word, the Fren soldiers melted into the shadows, doing a much better job at remaining unseen than her own guards had done the other night. Allyssa walked alongside the squire as if they were friends. Which they weren’t.

“Do you know where the inn is?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s just a few blocks up ahead.”

“Is there anything I need to know about this inn? Any particular reason the assassin would have chosen it?”

“I don’t know,” she answered. “I’ve only passed by; I’ve never gone in.”

“It doesn’t have any sort of reputation?”

“Not that I’m aware of.” She and Grevik tended to avoid inns, instead focusing on taverns and ale houses to locate criminals.

They walked in silence for several minutes.

“How do you feel about the prince now that you’ve spent some time with him?”

She shrugged, surprised he was attempting to converse with her on something other than the task at hand. “He’s not as arrogant as I originally thought. Honestly, he isn’t the man I’d choose to marry, but then again, this isn’t about me. This is about doing what’s best for Emperion.”

“Most women swoon over him.”

“He is handsome,” she admitted. “I’m sure we can grow to love one another in time.”

“Ideally, what sort of man do you wish to marry?”

Blimey. Why was he asking the tough questions right now? “I always imagined marrying someone who loves this kingdom as much as I do, someone who is willing to fight alongside me to protect our people. I want a husband who knows his mind, is passionate, and who makes me a better ruler. I don’t know if that makes any sense,” Allyssa said, “but that’s what I want.” She desired a strong and loving marriage like her parents had. Not only did they love one another, but they complimented each other when it came to ruling the kingdom.

Jarvik didn’t respond. They walked in silence. She wondered if he’d heard her—if he’d even been listening—if she’d said too much. Maybe he’d just asked to make conversation. He probably didn’t really want to know. After all, they hated each other, didn’t they?

“Is that the Wooden Inn over there?” he asked.

“It is. Are we going to head inside and sit in the tavern in order to scout it out? Or do you want to walk around outside?”

His eyes darted around the street, observing the nearby buildings and the few people lingering nearby. “Three of my men will remain outside on patrol,” he whispered near her ear, making her jump. “The other three will go inside with us to check the place out.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “You can’t attract unwanted attention, so we need to appear friendly with one another. For the time being, let’s act like we enjoy each other’s company.”

“Very well,” she replied. “But you do understand that means you’ll have to be cordial to me, my dear Jarvik.” She smiled sweetly at him.

He shook his head. “I’m always nice. It’s you I’m worried about.”

They entered the inn and made their way to the tavern inside. The place was busy, but there were still tables available. Sitting down off to the side near the wall so their backs were protected, they ordered two bowls of stew and two cups of ale.

Allyssa leaned back and propped her legs up on a nearby chair. The squire raised his eyebrows, but he didn’t say anything. Bloody hell, she loved the freedom of the city, of not having to act like a princess. It was fantastic. The three Fren soldiers came inside and headed to the bar, blending in with the patrons.

A serving wench brought their food. Jarvik picked up his spoon and started eating, Allyssa intently watching him. “What?” he mumbled between bites.

“Nothing,” she replied, putting her legs down on the ground. “I’m just trying to get a read on you.”

“Well, don’t. We’re not here for pleasantries.”

She snorted. Didn’t he say that they needed to pretend they liked one another? He probably meant that as long as they appeared friendly toward one another, they didn’t actually need to be cordial. “Forgive me, how could I have been mistaken?” she sarcastically drawled. After taking a few bites of her own stew, she wiped her mouth and leaned forward. “Did you notice the man in the corner, east end, brown cloak, hood on? He’s not the man we’re looking for, but he’s definitely up to no good.”

“Why do you say that?” Jarvik asked, putting his spoon down.

“The guy’s alone, but he keeps looking around and fidgeting with the handle of his mug. He’s nervous.” She wished Grevik was here. He’d be over there talking to the man by now, attacking trouble head on without hesitation. When she and Jarvik were done here, she’d have to take the long way home and pay her friend a visit.

“Will you focus?” Jarvik said, recapturing her attention.

“I am.” After all, the squire was the one oblivious to the fact that there was a criminal sitting twenty feet from them. Jarvik was so wrapped up in scouting out the place for her meeting tomorrow with the assassin that he was missing what was going on right in front of him.

Picking the spoon back up, the squire said, “The upper rooms are going to be a problem.” He nodded to the second floor, which overlooked the tavern. There were approximately sixteen rooms up there. “I can see why he picked this location.” He took a bite of his stew.

The man in the corner stood and headed to another table, where he sat down and spoke with the two men sitting there. From under his cape, he removed a small, black bag the size of his palm. He slid it across the table to the men, who in turn handed over several coins. Then he stood and headed to the exit. She recalled hearing about a supply cart that had been robbed a couple weeks ago. Among the items stolen were jewelry and expensive, rare spices.

“Let’s go,” Allyssa said, standing and putting a few coppers on the table to pay for their food and drinks.

“I’m not ready,” Jarvik responded. “I have a few more things I want to see.”

They had already checked the place out—there was nothing else to do. Shaking her head, Allyssa headed after the thief, not wanting to lose him. Jarvik cursed before joining her.

“What are you doing?” he hissed. She just smiled at him. They were in her domain, and this was what she lived for.

Outside in the brisk air, she saw the man head down a nearby alley. Allyssa ran to catch up with him. Jarvik and a couple of his men were close behind her. When she reached the corner of the building, she peered around the edge. The man was about fifteen feet away. Taking a big breath, she unsheathed her daggers.

The squire grabbed her wrists. “What are you doing?” he demanded.

“That man is a thief,” she replied. “I’m going to capture him. Then I’ll deliver him to someone so he can be properly arrested.”

“I can’t let you do that,” he said. “It’s too dangerous.”

Allyssa chuckled. “What do you think I do every night when I come out here?”

Jarvik’s eyebrows pulled together. “You’ve been going after criminals?” he asked in disbelief.

She didn’t have time to stand there arguing with him. The thief was getting too far away. Slipping out of Jarvik’s grasp, she headed after the man, rolling her shoulders and loosening up so she could fight. Allyssa whistled, garnering his attention. 

The thief spun around to face her. “Who are you?” he demanded, pulling out a knife.

“Who am I?” she asked, feigning shock. The man stepped back, away from her. “I’m here to retrieve what you stole.”

He turned and started running away. Allyssa aimed her dagger and threw. As planned, the hilt hit him on his back and he stumbled, turning around to face her again. Stalking toward him, she asked, “Where are you going?” The man’s knife shook in his hand. Good, that means he’s nervous. “I told you I’m here to collect the goods you stole.”

He reached up with his free hand and unlatched his cape, throwing it to the ground. “Come on,” he taunted her. “You seem a bit small and scrawny. You sure you want to fight me?”

“I’d enjoy nothing more,” she replied, sheathing her remaining dagger. The thief’s stance was all wrong. She’d be able to take him down in less than a minute without any weapons.

Sparing a quick glance over her shoulder, she saw Jarvik and two of his men at the end of the street, making no attempt to help or stop her. Focusing on the thief again, she smiled up at him. Rushing to her, he punched toward her face. She ducked.

“Oops,” Allyssa said. “You missed.”

He swung again, aiming for her side. She twisted. “Missed again. I thought you said something about fighting me. I’m not sure what you call this, but clearly, we’re not fighting. It’s more like dancing if you ask me.”

“Harlot,” he growled, the word echoing between the buildings in the alley.

“That is not a very nice word to use,” she said. “Now you’ve made me mad.” Clutching her hand into a fist, she drew her arm back and punched the thief in the stomach. He grunted and leaned forward. Allyssa swung her knee up, hitting him again. He tried reaching for her. Fool. She grabbed his arm, twisted around, placed her back to his front, and flipped him over her shoulder. He landed on the ground with a loud umph.

“Now that, thief, is how it’s done.” She stepped on his wrist, pinning his arm to the ground.

Jarvik came forward. “You have a death wish.”

“And yet, you just watched.”

“I was curious to see you in action.”

“What did you think?” she asked.

“You’re actually pretty good.”

She smiled. That was the nicest thing he’d ever said to her. “After we take the thief to my contact at the City Guard, can we swing by and see my friend Grevik?”

“I’m not even going to acknowledge that with an answer,” Jarvik declared.

“Why not?”

“That’s where the assassin found you last time. I hardly think going to the place that started this fiasco is what you should be doing right now.”

“I’d like to visit my friend.”

“I know,” he said. “If you wait until after the assassin is dealt with, I’ll personally take you to see him.”

Standing at the archery range, Allyssa watched Prince Odar raise his bow, aim the arrow at the target, and release the bowstring. The arrow sailed through the air and struck the target in the center ring.

“Nice shot,” she said. It wasn’t dead center, but still in the middle.

“I’d like to see you shoot,” he said. “I’ve heard you’re rather good.”

Strolling forward, she grabbed an arrow from the quiver, nocked it, aimed, and released the bowstring. Her arrow landed with a thunk dead center.

“You’re not good,” he mused. “You’re exceptional. I’ve never seen a woman shoot before.”

Putting the bow down, she faced the prince. “You can’t be serious.”

“In Fren, women don’t take up such hobbies.”

She shook her head. How was that possible? “Women don’t go hunting or protect their land?”

He smiled, his blue eyes sparkling. “That’s what men are for.” He gave a look that implied she was the crazy one, not him.

“I’m not sure I care to see your kingdom,” she said half serious, half joking.

“I’m not sure Fren is ready for you,” he countered.

Dark clouds gathered overhead. A storm was coming. “Shall we go inside?” Allyssa asked. She really wanted to walk around the flower field, but it looked like it would begin pouring at any moment.

“Would you do me the honor of showing me around the castle?”

There wasn’t much to see, but she agreed, and they went inside. 

“Where’s your squire?” she asked. Prince Odar was rarely seen without Jarvik hovering close by.

“He had a few things to tend to.” The prince offered her his arm, and she took it. “Why do you care where my squire is?”

She shrugged. “I wanted to know if we were alone.”

Her answer seemed to appease him. As they meandered down the hallway, they saw the torches and candles being lit since the corridors were so dark from the storm.

“You’re quiet today,” Prince Odar said.

“Sorry,” she answered. “I have a lot on my mind.” She hoped to take a nap this afternoon so she’d be well rested for tonight. The fact that she was meeting an assassin made her stomach ache.

“What room is this?” he asked, stopping before two open doors. Inside, dozens of portraits hung on the walls. “The paintings are beautiful,” he murmured. “The detail is exquisite.”

They walked around the perimeter of the room, gazing at the various rulers who’d held the throne in Emperion over the past five hundred years. “Why isn’t your picture here among these rulers?”

Stopping before a painting of Allyssa’s parents, she said, “When I become empress, then my picture will go here, next to my mother’s.”

Prince Odar took a step closer to the portraits, examining them. “I’ve been taught that your parents overthrew the previous rulers. Is that true?”

“To an extent,” she replied. “The previous ruler, Emperor Hamen, wasn’t the true heir—my mother was. After his death, my mother took the throne and sent his wife Eliza and their daughter into exile.”

“Really?” he asked, stepping to the side to look at Hamen and Eliza’s portrait. “What was their daughter’s name?”

“Jana.”

The prince turned to face her. “Did your mother kill Hamen?”

“No,” Allyssa answered. “One of her companions did.”

“What about Eliza and Jana?”

“My mother couldn’t sign the execution warrant, so she banished them. Eliza and Jana were supposed to be living in a secluded house that was guarded by soldiers at all times. However, a few years ago, they escaped and are believed to have fled the kingdom. If they are still alive, Eliza would have to be around sixty years old. Her daughter, Jana, would be in her early thirties, a little younger than my father. Jana is my father’s half-sister—they both have the same father, Hamen.”

“But the line is entailed through your mother?”

“Yes,” she said. “Why all the questions?”

“I want to know if Emperion has any weaknesses we’re unaware of,” he said. “Aren’t you at all concerned where Eliza and Jana are? What plots they could be concocting?”

Allyssa shrugged. She hadn’t given them much thought. “My mother never seemed worried. Jana was supposedly very sick, and it was believed she’d die at an early age.”

“Your kingdom has a rich history, that’s for sure.” Prince Odar chuckled. “What else haven’t I seen in this castle?”

Allyssa decided to take him to one of her favorite places. Entering the solarium, she watched the rain fall, pattering against the glass above her. She strolled between the low bushes and roses that lined the pathway to the water fountain. Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back and listened to the sound of water all around her. Two hands gently rested on her shoulders, making her jump. She opened her eyes. Prince Odar was standing right behind her.

Her future husband.

“Allyssa,” he whispered. He’d never called her by her name. It felt too intimate. She turned to face him. “I want to kiss you,” he whispered.

She took a step away from him. Weren’t they taking things slow? Getting to know one another? Prince Odar’s face hardened with a look of determination as he put his hands on her shoulders once again, stepping toward her so they were only inches apart.

“Why?” she asked. Was it because he was curious to see if there was something between them? Did he actually desire a kiss from her? She couldn’t decipher his intentions.

“Because I want to,” he said, smiling.

Movement caught her attention. She looked past the prince and saw Jarvik entering the solarium with several Fren soldiers. He stopped a few feet behind the prince.

“Your squire—” she started to say, but the prince cut her off.

“Why are you always talking about him? Why can’t you just focus on me?” Prince Odar asked.

“What’s going on?” Jarvik interrupted, saving her from answering.

The prince startled and dropped his hands, abruptly taking a step back, away from her. “Nothing,” he answered. “The princess and I were just talking.” He turned to face his squire, his head shaking ever so slightly in disappointment.

“Prince Odar,” Jarvik said, “I need to speak with you alone for a moment.”

“If you’ll excuse me,” Allyssa said. She went to the other end of the solarium in order to give the prince and Jarvik privacy. Gazing outside at the falling rain, there was nothing she wanted more than to run out there, letting the water pound on her head. Instead, she was stuck inside the castle, forced to entertain the prince.

“I’m sorry for the interruption,” Jarvik said, coming to stand next to her, staring outside at the storm with her. 

“It was actually well timed,” she mumbled, not really intending for him to hear. They stood in silence for several minutes. Lightning flashed across the sky and a moment later, thunder boomed. For the first time ever, she was glad Jarvik stood beside her. There was something about his steady stoicism that made her feel safe and not so lonely.

“I hope it lets up before tonight,” he said, folding his arms.

“It’ll be easier to conceal our movements with the storm.”

“As it will be for the assassin, too.”

She hadn’t told Jarvik yet, but after she met with the assassin, she planned to see Grevik. This time, she wouldn’t ask. She would just go to her friend. Her chest ached from not seeing or talking to him. She had to make sure he understood why she lied. Their friendship couldn’t be over—not after all these years.

“Did you need something?” she asked, curious as to why he was still there.

“I just had to tell the prince something,” he said.

Scanning the solarium, she didn’t see Prince Odar anywhere.

“He left. He is needed elsewhere,” Jarvik said.

Closing her eyes, she listened to the pattering rain.

“Are you all right?” he whispered, his voice sending a shiver through her body.

“I’m fine,” she lied, forcing a smile. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to prepare for a meeting this afternoon.” It was the first time she felt the need to flee not because Jarvik had upset her, but because his presence was preferable to the prince’s.

***

Approaching her bedchamber, she heard Marek arguing with Madelin and Mayra inside. It was nothing new for the brother and sister to fight; however, it was unusual for Madelin to be involved. Allyssa went in, closing the door behind her. “What’s going on?” she asked, hoping it had nothing to do with her.

All three of them stopped talking at once. Madelin’s eyes were bright red, Marek wouldn’t look at Allyssa, and Mayra’s hands were fisted on her hips. 

“Someone had better tell me,” Allyssa said.

Mayra cleared her throat. “My brother put in a request to join the army. He wants to go to the frontlines to fight when we go to war.”

The unexpected news made Allyssa feel as if she’d stumbled head-first into a cold lake. “What?” she screeched. “Are you crazy?” He would be killed.

“I’d like a moment to speak with the princess alone,” Marek said, his voice hoarse.

“Try talking some sense into him,” Mayra said as she stormed out of the room. Madelin meekly followed Mayra, crying as she walked past Marek.

Once the door closed, Marek held up his hands. “Before you start yelling at me,” he said, “at least hear what I have to say.”

“Very well,” she said, folding her hands together and waiting for him to continue.

“We’re going to war,” he said. “We are starting to organize the army and move soldiers into position to fight Russek. You’re doing your part by marrying Prince Odar of Fren. I want to do my part, too. I can’t stay in this castle while everyone I know is fighting for our kingdom. I’m a trained soldier. You need me fighting for you.” He ran his hands through his hair. “There. I’ve said my part.”

“I need you here, guarding me. You’re the head of my personal guard. There is no one I trust more than you.” Protecting her might not be the most exciting job, but it was a position of value and respect.

“There are others who are qualified. You’ll have no trouble filling my spot.” He went over to the window, leaning on the ledge, looking outside at the pouring rain. “Protecting you is an honor, but I want to be where the action is.”

A lot of men his age probably felt the same way. Her parents had managed to keep Emperion out of any major scuffles for the past twelve years. He’d never seen or experienced war before. The battles she’d studied and the wars Darmik had told her about were all vicious, bloody, and brutal. How could she possibly allow Marek to fight on the frontlines? How could Neco or her parents be okay with this?

“What did your father say when you told him?” she asked, taking a seat on the chair near the hearth. The fire roared nice and high, warming her room.

“He was furious and said my position is here.” Marek turned around to face her. “But you outrank him. You have the power to let me go.”

“Marek … .” She didn’t want to let him go. It was selfish of her, but she felt like being selfish with her dear friend.

“You don’t understand. Your father and my father are going.”

The room swayed before her. “What do you mean, they’re going?” she demanded, her heart thundering in her chest. 

“To the frontlines to fight.”

She thought she was going to vomit. Her father couldn’t lead the army into battle—what if he died? Leaning forward, she rested her head on her hands.

“Your Highness, are you okay?” Marek asked, kneeling before her.

“Yes,” she answered. “I just need a moment.”

“I’ll get my sister.”

She grabbed his arm. “Wait,” she said. “I understand why you want to go.” He needed to protect his father, and so did she.

Their eyes locked, and they stayed that way for a minute. “You’re not going to try and talk me out of it?” he whispered.

“I want to. But no, I’m not.”

“Will you sign my orders?”

She nodded.

“Thank you.” He left to find Mayra. 

She sat there, staring into the fire. The sound of men marching pounded in her head. War was coming. Those she loved would die. She had to protect her family and her people.