Standing, Allyssa meandered around the room, observing the minute details, hoping to gain some insight into Kerdan and his intentions. She hoped he could be a potential ally in destroying Jana. And if they did take her down, maybe Russek would cease to invade Emperion, unless King Drenton had to be stopped as well. Would Kerdan be willing to challenge him? While he had indicated he hated Jana, his feelings toward his father were unclear.
Her right hand traced the spines of a stack of books. Military Strategies, Torturing Effectively, A Means to an End, Court Politics, and Gruesome Deaths. Several papers were piled on top of his desk. She quickly fingered through them. Some had sketches of villages and lakes in Russek, others contained locations of soldier camps along the border, most were communications between Kerdan and his officers.
Everything in here revealed a piece of the prince. She leaned forward, clutching onto the edge of the desk. He must have wanted her to see this, so he could gain her trust this way. She turned around, knocking a small book off the desk. It landed open, the pages facedown. She squatted and picked it up. Several pages were bent, so she straightened them. The corner of a piece of parchment poked out from the middle. It was a single sheet, soft and well-worn with elegant but faded handwriting. She carefully removed the letter and read it.
My dearest son,
It is with a grave heart that I write this letter. I fear that my time in this world is coming to an end. I had hoped to live long enough to see you settled and with children of your own. Alas, that will not happen. I am being taken from you and your father when danger lurks all around us. Be aware of Jana and her mother, Eliza. I am convinced they have ill intentions toward our family. I don’t have any evidence—it is just a feeling I get when I’m in their company. I’ve asked your father to banish them. He has not yet decided their fate.
I beseech you to do your duty as the prince of Russek and ensure that our people continue to survive in peace—for one day, you will be king. Know that even when I am not with you, I will be watching over you.
I am so proud of the man you have become. Always remember that I love you.
Your mother, Queen Elenk
Allyssa put the letter back where she found it, placed the book on the desk, and quickly moved away, her heart pounding with all she learned. The letter validated what Kerdan implied. They had a common enemy. And the prince, it seemed, like Allyssa, would do anything to protect his kingdom.
The door opened, and Kerdan waved her out of his room and into the adjacent office. A dull rumbling sounded. “What’s that noise?” she asked as she exited the office.
“A unit of my men has been ordered to the border in preparation of war.”
“War against my people.” She clenched her hands into fists.
“Yes.” He folded his arms, waiting.
Now was the time to test the prince, to see if he truly wanted an alliance with her. “There will be bloodshed on both sides.”
He gave a curt nod.
“Emperion will not fall to Russek,” she insisted.
“Jana believes you are the key to ensuring it does.”
“I’ll die before I let that happen.” She stepped closer to him. He didn’t offer her anything, so she said, “I will stop this war, one way or another.” There, she’d said it. Her declaration to work with him.
He leaned down so his lips brushed her ear. “Jana has managed to worm her way into the king’s heart. He does her bidding.” And then he made his own declaration. “If we want to stop the war, we must stop the queen.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Why is only every third torch lit?” Allyssa asked, walking beside Kerdan. They’d just returned from the military garrison, and she hadn’t managed to shake the cold from her bones. “Is Russek so poor you can’t afford to care for this castle?”
The prince huffed. “Our money is directed to our army, not unnecessary luxuries.” He walked in silence a moment before adding, “Besides, I can see well enough.”
“So can I.” She pulled the scratchy jacket away from her neck. “It’s just rather depressing and gloomy around here.” She could never live in a place like this.
“Stop fidgeting with your jacket.”
She was about to tell him to mind his own business when movement up ahead caught her attention. Soma slunk out of an adjacent hallway, leaning against the wall, casually waiting for them. Kerdan cursed under his breath, but she didn’t hear what he said because her mind flooded with hatred for this man who’d killed Grevik and brought her to Russek, which resulted in her being tortured. He deserved to be rotting in a dungeon, not leisurely strolling around the hallways.
“Relax,” the prince mumbled. She unclenched her fists and took a deep breath.
When they neared the assassin, Soma’s lips curled into a cruel smile, his eyes darkening. “My, my, my,” he purred. “I didn’t expect to find the princess out and about.”
Kerdan didn’t even blink—he kept walking, ignoring the vile man. Soma pushed off the wall and started walking on her free side. She shuddered, not wanting to be so close to him.
Kerdan abruptly stopped. “What do you want?” he demanded.
“What have the two of you been up to?” Soma looked her over, his eyes lingering on her soldier jacket.
“Who wants to know?” Kerdan leaned forward, his large frame making the assassin appear frail next to him.
“I do.” Again, Soma’s eyes roamed over her body, her throat. She took a step away from him, revulsion coating her skin.
“I don’t think so,” Kerdan said, folding his arms across his chest. “I bet the queen is upset things aren’t going her way, so she sent you to spy on me.”
Soma’s eyes flashed with fury. “Why do you want Allyssa? She is a small, pathetic thing of no value to you.”
“Why I want her, and what I’m doing with or to her, is none of your concern.” Kerdan looked sidelong at her before continuing. “Why have you taken such an interest in the princess? If she holds no value, why do you watch her?”
Soma’s cruel smile returned, contorting his face. “The strong-willed ones are always much more fun to play with.”
Not wanting him to sense her fear, she said, “I’m ashamed you’re my cousin.” The fact that they shared anything at all, especially blood, repulsed her. She turned and strode down the corridor, away from the assassin, needing to rid herself from the abhorrent man.
“Stop,” Kerdan called after her. She couldn’t stop. Couldn’t even look at Soma one more time. “I’ll throw a dagger in your back if you don’t stop.”
He didn’t mean it. He was only threatening her to prevent the assassin from running to the king and queen and telling them she was walking around the castle of her own free will. Why didn’t the prince leave Soma and join her? She stopped, her body shaking, but she refused to turn around.
The assassin chuckled. “I’ll do it for you.”