Jana took slow, deliberate steps down the dais toward Allyssa. She leaned in and whispered, “I have already sent them your nails. Your fingers and toes will be next. I think these gifts will be powerful motivators for your parents to cooperate.” She spun around and returned to the top of the dais, sitting on the Throne Chair once again. “There is one other announcement.” Her proud voice echoed in the large room as she addressed her court. “My daughter, Princess Shelene, has received an offer for a most advantageous marriage that will greatly benefit Russek.”
While the queen looked elegant and regal in her rich clothing and artful makeup, Allyssa knew she was as cunning as a snake. All of this—the members of court being present, the absence of the king, even Allyssa’s own appearance—it was all part of Jana’s elaborate plot to retake Emperion. Her parents had greatly underestimated this woman.
“People of Russek, I am pleased to announce my daughter’s engagement to Prince Odar of Fren. The marriage treaty is signed, and we will have full access to Fren’s mighty army!” Cheering erupted.
It felt as if Allyssa had been dunked in ice water. Her vison blurred, and she swayed on her feet. The soldier standing at her side grabbed her arm, keeping her upright. How could Odar have signed a marriage contract with Shelene when he’d already signed one with her?
Shelene smiled, and a man standing near the front of the crowd came forward, taking her hand and kissing it. Shock rolled through Allyssa as she realized the man was Odar. He wore a fine tunic with his hair neatly combed, not a bruise or mark visible on his skin. He must not have spent any time in the dungeon. So while she’d been sitting in filth with little food and water, being tortured and interrogated, he’d been navigating the Russek court. Apparently, her worry for his well-being had been for nothing.
Shelene beamed with admiration as Odar wrapped his arm around her waist. The people in the room spoke in low murmurs, exclaiming their gratification with the match.
“We are fortunate to have such a wise queen,” a man near Allyssa said to the lady at his side.
“Yes,” the lady agreed. “I had the pleasure of catching the couple stealing a kiss in the Dining Hall yesterday. They look so happy and in love.”
“And the size of Fren’s army . . .”
Allyssa didn’t bother to hear more because blazing anger coursed through her. Odar had kissed Shelene? She wanted to believe it was all a ruse in order to save her life. But what if it wasn’t? What if the real ruse had been Odar’s relationship with her so he could make it to Russek for the woman he really loved? He wouldn’t even look her way as he stood a mere ten feet from her.
Unfortunately, she did not have her father or Neco’s skill of telling when someone was lying or playing a part. She would have to navigate through her enemy’s court on her own with nothing but her wit and determination to save her.
Shelene laughed, and Odar kissed her forehead, his arm still wrapped around her delicate waist. Allyssa wanted to punch them both. Was this an act or not?
Trying to appear indifferent, she glanced at the queen and Soma. Their heads were together, Soma whispering in her ear. The queen looked at her daughter and then back at Allyssa. Soma straightened himself, the corners of his lips lifting infinitesimally. Were they watching her reaction to the prince and princess? They had to be. Otherwise, why have her here during the announcement? Which meant they didn’t fully trust Odar. Soma had spent enough time with them to be distrustful of his motives.
“Take the prisoner back to the dungeon,” Queen Jana ordered. “There is no need for her to be here any longer.” Her nose wrinkled, and she waved her hand before her face, mocking the fact that Allyssa smelled worse than horse dung.
As the soldiers grabbed her arms, Odar finally glanced her way. His eyes were filled with a mixture of pain and fury, reminding her of when he first arrived at Emperion as Jarvik. His words came back to her. Whatever I do at the Russek court, it is all to save you.
“You’re an arrogant pig!” she yelled at him.
“I don’t care what you say or think about me. I needed a way to enter Russek without my parents knowing. You proved to be quite useful.”
Shelene smiled and pressed her red lips to his cheek, completely besotted with him. His eyes remained hard and unyielding. Allyssa struggled against the soldiers holding her, trying to break free. The attempt was futile, especially with her injuries, but she had a part to play, and the queen needed to believe she was in pain. Allowing the hurt, fear, and hunger to consume her, she started to cry. Jana’s eyes lit up, her face smugly satisfied at the sight.
The guards dragged Allyssa down the aisle and out of the Throne Room. The second the door closed behind her, she stood up straight and forced the tears to stop. The Emperion court contained dozens of people seeking advantage, wanting someone or something. She’d always played the part of the dedicated princess. The Russek court was no different. Allyssa was just playing a different part in the game this time. And this was one game she couldn’t lose.
Chapter Eleven
As the days passed, Allyssa tried not to dwell on thoughts of her bloody nails being delivered to the Emperion court with a letter demanding the empress hand over her kingdom in exchange for her daughter’s life, of Odar kissing Shelene, or if a squad of Emperion soldiers were trying to find her.
Her body had healed enough from her last beating to resume her daily exercises. However, when a guard passed by her cell, she always stilled, not wanting anyone to know she was trying to maintain her strength and keep her mind sharp.
While she stretched her legs, the voices of several men echoed in the hallway outside her door.
“Are you sure?” one asked. “This is the maximum-security ward.”
She rolled her eyes. They’d put her in the maximum-security ward? At least Soma took her seriously enough to have her in a secure facility.
“Yes. He said all the prisoners,” another responded. “He needs more men for the front lines.”
Allyssa froze. Front lines? Were these prisoners being sent to fight in the Russek Army? She leaned against the wall, her hands covering her face. If criminals were on the front lines invading her kingdom, what cruel atrocities would they inflict upon her people? The mere thought made her stomach roll in disgust. She had to do something to stop this madness from happening.
“What about the girl?” someone asked. It sounded as if he stopped right outside her door.
“No, not her. But gather everyone else.”
She peered through the small, barred opening in her door. All along the hallway, cells were being unlocked and prisoners herded out like cattle. Some could barely walk while others fought with one another as they were taken out of the dungeon.
One man pressed his face against the bars in her door. She jumped back before he could grab her. His eyes gleamed with malice, and he smiled, revealing brown teeth. “This is mighty interesting,” he purred. “I ain’t seen a woman for a real long time.” A soldier yanked him away from the door, blocking the opening with his body. After several minutes, the soldier left. The dungeon went absolutely still.