When they reached the sitting area, the soldier released her and said, “Your Majesty, may I present Princess Allyssa of Emperion.” He moved to the edge of the room near the other soldiers.
King Drenton was standing next to the fireplace, a heavy black fur cloak upon his shoulders, which matched his black hair. He turned to Allyssa, a red hue to his cheeks. Although he didn’t have any marks on his face like his soldiers, he did sport a neatly trimmed beard. Queen Jana was sitting on a winged chair, a goblet in her hand. Prince Soma lounged on a chaise across from the queen, staring at the ceiling. On the sofa, Princess Shelene and Prince Odar sat next to one another.
“Come closer,” the king said, tossing a pair of gloves on the low table. He must have just arrived home. Although she hated to listen to this man, she moved between the chairs to stand before him. He folded his arms across his broad chest, observing her. “The queen tells me her son brought you here.”
Interesting that he didn’t use Soma’s name, nor did he refer to him as his stepson. The fire crackled, all eyes on her. “He overtook my carriage as I journeyed across Emperion. He kidnapped and drugged me with a paralyzing substance.”
King Drenton’s eyes narrowed. “And what about Prince Odar?”
“He was accompanying me in the carriage.”
“Why?”
Was King Drenton trying to verify Odar’s story to assure he wasn’t lying and his engagement to Shelene could proceed? Allyssa almost laughed. Almost. Once the king had what he wanted from her, he would either kill her or use her against her parents. She dared not look at Odar. “I was traveling with Prince Odar, his squire, and three guards.” She folded her arms across her chest, imitating King Drenton’s stance.
“I didn’t ask who you were traveling with, but why you were with the prince.” Although he spoke in a pleasant manner, there was a subtle undertone of fury just below the surface.
If she didn’t cooperate, he would snap, and she had no desire to see this man’s temper right now. “I was on my way to obtain the king and queen of Fren’s permission to marry their son. Only, I didn’t know the prince and his squire had switched places, deceiving me.” Her words were clipped, angry. It was imperative the king believed everything she said.
“Did you sign the marriage contract?”
“Yes.”
“And did the real Prince Odar sign it as well?”
Russek could not learn that she was legally engaged to Odar—that he’d signed the contract as himself and not as his squire. She shook her head. “Jarvik signed it.” The truth. Only, he’d signed as the witness.
The king held out his hand to his wife. She gracefully rose and took it. “It appears all you’ve said is true,” he said to her.
“Of course it is,” she cooed. “I would never lie to you.” She kissed the corner of his mouth.
“I hereby approve of the marriage.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Shelene said, smirking at Allyssa.
Keep your face blank. Don’t show any emotion.
Hands slid over her shoulders, making her jump. “What are our plans for the princess?” Soma asked from behind her. She hadn’t even noticed him move from the chaise. Just his nearness made her skin crawl.
“Wife, what did you intend to do with her?”
Jana took a sip from her goblet, stalling. “I was going to keep her locked in the dungeon until you returned and decided her fate. I assume you will dispatch another letter to Emperion. Hopefully, she will be the motivation they need to acquiesce to our demands.”
“I suppose it’s a good thing I returned a few weeks early.” He rubbed his hands together. “I am pleased Soma brought her here. He is not as…useless…as I claimed him to be.”
Soma’s fingers dug into Allyssa’s shoulders, and she had to suppress her smile. The interactions between these family members revealed a great deal.
Instinct told her someone was watching her. As nonchalantly as possible, she scanned the soldiers in the room. The one who had brought her here stood off to the side, staring at her.
“While I do enjoy the many luxuries of court,” Soma drawled in a carefree voice, “I’m glad to be of some use to you, Your Majesty.” He released Allyssa, and her shoulders sagged with relief.
“My son is valuable and has many talents,” the queen serenely interjected, taking her seat again. “You should employ him as your lord-in-waiting. He could be of great use to you.” Her free hand clasped the fabric of her dress, her knuckles turning white. However, her smile never faltered.
“We’ll discuss that later,” the king responded, waving his hand. “For now, I must decide what to do with the princess.”
“I think it wise to dispose of her immediately,” Queen Jana commented. “Send her body parts to the empress and emperor of Emperion. While they grieve for their beloved daughter, we attack.”
“While I do enjoy your enthusiasm,” the king replied, “I think it wise to keep her alive until Emperion is conquered. If something goes wrong during the invasion, I can bring her out, dangle her in front of her parents, and then slit her throat.”
“Very well.” The queen’s hand holding the goblet shook ever so slightly.
Allyssa dared a quick glance at Odar. He leaned forward on the sofa, his arms on his legs, appearing relaxed. However, she knew he was preparing to jump up and intervene if necessary.
“I think the princess is a liability,” Soma said. “She must be killed now, and I should be the one to do it.” He made his way over to his mother, refilling her goblet with the bottle of wine from the low table.
Flexing her fingers, Allyssa widened her stance, prepared to either fight or run. No one moved as the king rubbed his chin, deciding her fate. The fire crackled, and the logs shifted. Her heart pounded and her breathing sped up. Even though there were two dozen armed soldiers surrounding the sitting area, she had speed and agility on her side. She’d fought in enough brawls with Grevik to know she could escape. All she needed to do was pretend this was a tavern and these men were criminals. Just another night fighting crime.
The king clasped his hands behind his back. “Son,” he said, turning to face the soldiers off to the left side of the room.
The man who had escorted her there stepped forward. “Yes, Father?”
Father? Allyssa’s eyes bulged. He was the king’s son, Prince Kerdan? No crown adorned his head, nothing on his armor indicated his rank, and…well…he had dried blood on his armor. Everything about his appearance—from his facial markings to his well-worn boots—indicated a soldier, not a prince.
“What do you suggest I do with Princess Allyssa?” King Drenton asked.
“I see no reason to keep the princess alive. With Fren’s army, we have the numbers to win.”
The king smiled. “Very well. Kill her.”
Chapter Twelve
Soma unsheathed a dagger with a gleam of triumph in his eyes.
The king put his hand on the assassin’s shoulder. “Wait. I want my son to have the privilege of killing our enemy.”