***
Allyssa had just completed a set of twenty sit-ups when she heard a single set of footsteps echoing in the hallway. The slow, deliberate steps sent a chill through her, and she stood, fearing the interrogator was on his way. Metal jingled, and the door to her cell flew open, making her flinch. A soldier strode inside, his presence overpowering the small space. Dark red stains spotted his leather armor, his long, brown hair had been woven into hundreds of strands, and like other Russek soldiers, black markings covered his stern face.
His black eyes focused on her, scanning her from head to toe. She pushed herself flat against the wall, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.
“Your name?” he demanded, towering above her.
“Princess Allyssa of Emperion.” She lifted her chin, feigning confidence as she cowered against the wall. “If you’re here to interrogate me, don’t bother. I’d rather die than tell you anything.”
He glanced at her balled fists, so she forced her fingers to uncurl, revealing her scabbed-over fingertips. He showed no emotion as he focused back on her face. The way he held himself reminded her of Darmik when he prepared to go to battle, whether it be physical or verbal. It was the body of a warrior. She would never survive his interrogation.
“The king wishes to see you,” he said, his voice rumbling deep like the ocean. “Alive.”
Her body prickled with cold fear. If the king was here, did it mean Russek had invaded Emperion? Did King Drenton intend to kill her or dangle her in front of her parents?
“Let’s go.” His command gave no room to argue, so she followed him out of the cell and through the dungeon, her mind in a fog, trying to figure out her next move. After they ascended the first flight of stairs, she paused, lightheaded. The man spun around and grabbed her, pinning her to the wall, the tip of a knife instantaneously at her throat.
Her temper flared. “Get off me.” She tried to push him away. He didn’t budge.
“Why did you stop?” He dug the knife into her skin. The weapon aggravated the recently healed wound on her neck, causing her to wince in pain.
“It has been weeks since I’ve had a proper meal. I simply paused to catch my breath.”
He withdrew the knife, studying her, making her feel naked and vulnerable before him. “If you stop again, I will kill you.”
When he released her, she rubbed her neck, feeling a trickle of blood. This man was no ordinary soldier. He could be an officer, although he looked a bit young to hold such a high-ranking position. He couldn’t be older than twenty-two. “Isn’t that what you’re going to do anyway?”
He stilled, not bothering to turn around to face her. His hands hung loose at his sides, his fingers twitching to grab a weapon. “What did you say?” he asked with a low, menacing voice.
“Your threat.” She swallowed, trying to think of a way to outsmart him so she could escape. “It doesn’t make sense since your king plans to slaughter me like a pig.” She wiped her bloody fingers off on her filthy pants, trying to calm her nerves.
“Are you implying my threat isn’t sufficient motivation to keep you in line?”
“No, I’m saying it’s impractical. King Drenton wouldn’t condone you killing me here in the dungeon. You should have threatened to chop off my hand. At least, that’s what I would have done.”
With his back still facing her, she couldn’t see his expression and had no way to read him. She just needed him to lower his guard so she could make a run for it.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing,” he finally answered, “but I will figure it out.” He spun around, pinning her against the wall again, a dagger in his right hand. He poked her bicep, sliding the dagger down her arm and slicing her sleeve open. A thin line of blood swelled on her arm. The dagger hovered at her wrist. “I suppose this hand isn’t necessary.”
The blood drained from her face. She hadn’t intended for this to happen. All she wanted was to distract him so she could sneak by him. “Release me,” she snarled, trying to squirm out of his grasp. His hard, unyielding body remained pressed against hers. She couldn’t even knee his groin.
“If you speak one more time or step out of line, I’ll chop off your right hand. Does this threat make sense to you, or do I need to demonstrate?” She shook her head, realizing she’d pushed him too far. “Very good.” He released her, sheathed his dagger, and resumed walking. He knew she was no match for him in her current condition. There was nothing to do but follow him up another flight of stairs. Maybe once they entered the main section of the castle, she could make a run for it. Hide somewhere until she could escape.
She was mildly curious to meet the king, wondering if he simply wanted to see her to verify her identity and presence. Or did he intend to do something with her? They came to an iron door guarded by two sentries, and Allyssa thanked the stars she didn’t try to escape earlier since she never would have made it past these two men. The soldier at her side pulled out a ring of keys, unlocking the door. Both sentries leaned away from him, rigid as a sword stuck in the ground. When the door opened, the soldier tossed the keys to one of the sentries, yanking her out of the dungeon and into a dimly lit hallway void of people. He resumed walking, his footsteps echoing. Slowly following him, she searched for a door, not seeing a single one.
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “This exit leads from the dungeon to the garrison. There is nowhere for you to go.”
Sweat beaded on her skin, and she became dizzy, her nerves reacting to the situation while her brain tried to block out the intense fear her body felt. They came to a dead end. He pushed one of the stones, which caused a section of the wall to swing open like a door. The soldier pulled her into another hallway, this one brightly lit and lined with several doors. He came to one guarded by four well-armed sentries and entered, dragging her in behind him. The door slammed shut, a sentry blocking it with his bulky body.
Allyssa found herself in an enormous room. The ceiling, covered with wooden arched beams, towered four stories above her. Gargantuous chandeliers with hundreds of candles lit the room in a soft light. Banners displaying the royal family’s crest hung on the walls. The soldier, still holding onto her, stalked down the center of the forty-foot room to a large fireplace with several chairs and sofas situated in front of it. A squad of soldiers dressed in plain armor stood around the perimeter of the room. Each step Allyssa took brought her closer to the king and yet, she couldn’t make her legs stop. Some innate part of her urged her on.