Cage of Deceit (Reign of Secrets Book 1) (24 page)

“Yes, thank you,” Allyssa replied. Once she left for Fren, she wouldn’t see her dear friend for weeks. She hoped Madelin would be safe here.

Her lady-in-waiting came over and whispered, “I suggest you go back inside and dance with someone. Now. Everyone is gossiping about you and Jarvik.”

That was what Allyssa had feared. “Of course,” she said. She couldn’t afford to have her subjects questioning her actions. Madelin reached out, grabbing Allyssa’s hand and squeezing it. Holding her head high, Allyssa went inside with a pleasant smile on her face. A Legion member approached and she took his arm, accepting his offer.

She spent the next few songs dancing with various partners, making lively conversation so no one would suspect her warring emotions. However, no matter how many partners she danced with or how much she laughed, she was acutely aware of Jarvik standing off to the side, watching her every move.

A servant approached with a tray of drinks, offering her one. She politely refused, although she was thirsty. She knew she couldn’t have anything to eat or drink unless it went through her food tasters first.

“May I have this dance, Your Highness?” a man asked, bowing before her.

“Of course,” she answered, not recognizing him.

A detailed guest list had been made, and no one was allowed to gain entrance if he or she was not on the approved list. He had to be someone of importance to be here this evening.

He carefully took her gloved hand in his, and they started dancing.

“I’m sorry,” she said, “but I don’t recall your name.”

The man smiled at her. “That is because we haven’t been formally introduced.”

If she had to guess, she’d say he was in his early to mid-twenties. He was of average height and weight with no distinguishing features. He had black hair, tanned skin, and dark eyes. The gentleman wore a tunic with no family crest, but it was embroidered with exquisite detail, indicating great wealth.

“Since we haven’t been introduced and we are dancing together, I think now would be the appropriate time for you to tell me your name.”

He suddenly twirled her around and when she faced him again, he squeezed her hand tightly as his eyes narrowed. “There’s no need for you to know my name,” he drawled. His hand painfully dug into her waist, and she knew something was wrong. “I simply wanted to dance with you so we could talk. However, now that I’m with you, you look like someone I recently met.” His eyes dissected her face.

She froze. His voice sounded familiar. Was this the assassin? “Tell me your name,” she demanded.

“I think not.” He winked.

“All I have to do is shout, and you’ll be arrested.”

“Hmm,” he said. “A risky move on your part considering I hold all the cards.”

“You’re hurting me,” she said. “Let go.”

His grip tightened. “When the song is over, feign a headache.”

Allyssa couldn’t help but laugh to herself. That was what she normally did in order to leave a party early to escape out of the castle. However, she had no intention of doing what he said. He was in her fortress. There were hundreds of trained soldiers only feet away. This assassin wouldn’t succeed—not if she could help it.

The music ended, and he still held her tightly. “I will meet you in the hallway. Now go and tell that pathetic guard who trails you around like a puppy that you are tired and want to retire for the evening.”

This may be her only opportunity to kill the assassin. She slowly moved her free hand down her dress, sliding it in one of the folds where a dagger was hidden.

“Very well,” she said, trying to stall.

As soon as his hands loosened, she whipped the knife out and plunged it into his side. He grunted, encasing her hand with his. Red blood coated the tips of her gloved fingers. She tried to pull away, but he held on to her.

“That was a very stupid thing you just did.”

Her left hand was still free, so she reached down and grabbed another dagger. The assassin noticed her pull the knife out and his other hand snatched her arm, stopping her mid-air. She lifted her right knee and rammed it into him. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Marek and Jarvik sprinting toward them with their swords drawn.

The assassin’s eyes darted around the room. “Nice play, Princess. But this isn’t over.” He released her and disappeared into the crowd of screaming people.

“Are you okay?” Marek frantically asked when he reached her.

“Go after that man,” she shouted. “I want him captured—dead or alive. He doesn’t leave the castle.”

He nodded and raised his arm, signaling for the guards to keep the doors locked. No one was to enter or leave the room until Marek found the man. Since the assassin was dripping with blood, he should be easy to spot. 

Jarvik wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Let’s get you out of here.”

“My parents,” she said. “Where are they? They’re in danger, too.”

“Neco is removing them from the room.”

“And Prince Odar?” she asked.

“Is taken care of.”

The squire rushed her to one of the back doors where the guards allowed them to pass through. In the hallway, a handful of her guards along with several Fren soldiers surrounded them.

“I’m assuming that was the assassin,” Jarvik said as they hurried along the corridor.

“Yes,” she answered, glancing down at the blood on her gloves.

“Why didn’t he kill you when he had the chance?” he asked.

“I don’t know. He wanted me to leave the room, so I stabbed him.”

The corners of his lips tugged up. “Glad your survival skills kicked in. I wonder if he wanted to kill you at another location or wait until he could kill your parents as well?”

She noticed they weren’t heading to the Royal Chambers. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere the assassin won’t be able to find you.”

“Don’t light the torches,” Jarvik whispered as they entered the library. “I want you two guards with me, the rest of you hide near the entrance so that anyone who passes by won’t be able to see you.”

“I want to go to the Royal Chambers with my parents,” Allyssa insisted. She hadn’t seen them since she danced with the assassin, and she wanted to make sure they were all right. “They’re going to be worried.”

Jarvik took her to the back of the library where the small reading alcoves were situated. He found one and tugged her inside while two guards hid a few feet away. “Sit,” he demanded. “Be quiet and don’t move.”

She slid down in the corner while Jarvik sat next to her. It was going to be a long night if he planned on keeping them sequestered in there. She removed her bloodied gloves and wiped her hands on the fabric of her dress.

He leaned in until his lips were at her ear.

“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.”