Allyssa had been lying awake in the dark tent for hours thinking of ways to escape. Her mind reeled with possibilities. Only, none seemed likely to work.
The giant standing guard inside pushed through the flap and exited. She breathed a sigh of relief. The sound of liquid hitting the side of the tent reached her ears. Is he peeing? Gross.
“Goin’ ba in da?” someone asked.
“Ye. I be orda to sta in da. Canno figa out why. Neither seem threatn.”
“Don ken who da be?” the higher-pitched voice asked.
“Na.”
Even though these soldiers spoke the same language as Allyssa, they had a thick, heavy accent, which made it difficult to follow along. Mayra had once told her that the key to understanding various dialects was to think of the language as a song. All the words were familiar; she just had to learn their rhythm. The two men started to talk about hunting, so she listened, trying Mayra’s technique in order to understand them better. After a few minutes, the inflections on certain syllables became clear. As the words washed over her, the men’s accent vanished.
“Did you hear Prince Kerdan arrived today looking for King Drenton?” the giant soldier asked. “Too bad the king left three days ago.”
“I heard Prince Kerdan became ill during the battle in Melenia. Many thought he would die,” the higher-pitched soldier responded, pride etching his words. He must be glad his prince didn’t pass away. Was Prince Kerdan well-liked by his men? Did these soldiers reflect the brutality of their prince?
“Who did he come here with?”
“Only a handful of his elite guard.”
“Did he look sick or injured?”
“No.” There was a pause. “But when someone asked if he was feeling better, he became furious. Almost took the man’s head off.”
The soldier chuckled. “Have you met the prince before?”
“I have not had that honor. Although, I have met Prince Soma.”
“Prince Soma doesn’t count. He only bears the title of prince because his mummy somehow convinced our king to marry her after the sudden death of the queen.” His voice sounded bitter, upset even.
“I’ve heard Princess Shelene is easy on the eyes.”
“It doesn’t matter how beautiful she is; she will not marry well because she’s a bastard-born child with no claim to any throne.”
Allyssa tried to keep track of everything these soldiers said in case she could use this information later.
“I wish we’d get this bloody war over with so I can go home. I don’t know why the king is so hell-bent on invading Emperion. It doesn’t feel right,” the high-pitched guard mumbled. Allyssa strained to hear them.
“I think this war is because of Queen Jana,” the giant whispered. “Emperion threw her sorry arse out of their kingdom, and now she wants payback. The king is doing it for her.”
“I’m sure the war won’t last long. Not with Prince Kerdan on our side. He’s the best we’ve ever had.”
“Are you awake?” Odar whispered, startling her.
“Yes.” She rolled over to find him kneeling on the ground next to her cot. “Have you been listening to the soldiers outside?” she whispered, hoping they couldn’t hear her.
“I have.”
“What do you know of Prince Kerdan?” Allyssa had met King Drenton years ago, but had never met his son. Nor had she studied anything about him.
“He’s a military man, always training with his army, and he’s rarely at court.”
“Even though he is heir to the throne?”
“Yes.”
Since Prince Kerdan was so focused on the army and fighting, his men must reflect his thirst for battle. “Do you think Soma will hand us over to him?” The thought of being used against her parents to win the war made her sick.
“No,” Odar whispered as he climbed onto the cot next to her. “Soma has kept our identities quiet for a reason. I believe we’ll leave at first light before Kerdan even knows we’re here. Soma is taking us to Jana and Shelene, of that I am certain.”
If the queen and her daughter were going behind the king’s back, perhaps there was hope. “Do you think we might find sympathy in King Drenton or his son?” Maybe they could incite an internal conflict, taking the focus off conquering Emperion.
“King Drenton may not know what’s going on behind his back, and he might be furious with Jana for doing this. However, he has still murdered thousands of innocent people. He could never be sympathetic to our cause. He started this war, and I believe he’ll finish it or die trying.”
The gruesome memory of those severed heads on spikes was seared into her mind. Odar traced his finger along Allyssa’s face from her forehead down her cheek, across her jaw, and over her lips.
“I’m scared,” she admitted.
“I won’t let anything happen to you.”
He couldn’t make or keep such a promise when they were at the mercy of a sadistic madman. “Let’s try to escape,” she whispered. The giant was still speaking quietly to the guard on the other side of the tent flap. If they were going to leave, it had to be now.
Odar ran his hand over her hair, gently stroking it. “It’s not possible. As soon as the soldier stepped outside, I lifted the edge of the tent and found guards posted around the perimeter of it. Besides, we are in the middle of our enemy’s camp in Russek. If we’re caught, we’d be killed.”
They were running out of options. “I think we should risk it.” They were probably going to be killed once Soma delivered them to Jana. And if she didn’t kill them outright, Allyssa would rather be dead than used as leverage against her parents.
“I promised your father I’d protect you, and that’s what I’m going to do. I won’t risk you dying.”
“Some things are worse than death.”
“I know,” he mumbled. “But once we arrive at court, we’ll have access to servants and workers who might be willing to smuggle us out in exchange for immunity. There are options—don’t give up hope.” She didn’t share his optimism. “Just remember that I love you—no matter what happens.” His lips gently brushed hers. She closed her eyes, breathing in the smell of him. His hand squeezed hers. “I better move back to my own cot.”
“Stay.” The warmth from his body comforted her.
“If Soma finds us together, he’ll know the depth of my feelings for you.”
She chuckled, thinking of how she used to loathe this man.
“What?” he asked.
“I’m just remembering when we first met and how far we’ve come.”
“I can’t believe how awful I was to you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “And now we’re engaged.” He kissed her again. “And you’re going to be my wife.” A smile spread across his face, erasing the worry lines and lighting up his eyes.
Hope swelled in her chest. She shoved it down, stifling it. “If we make it out of this mess alive.” She didn’t want to think of a future that may never come to fruition. And, quite frankly, it felt a little selfish to think about what she wanted. She was the princess of Emperion and would rule it one day. Her first duty was to the people of her kingdom.