Kerdan chuckled as Jana’s face drained of all color.
The queen took a step closer to them, lowering her voice. “How do you think I’ve managed to survive all these years? You have no idea who you’re up against and the lengths I’m willing to go to get what I want. So go ahead and threaten all you like because when this is over, I’ll be sitting on the throne and both of you will be begging for mercy that will never come from me.” She turned and swept out of the room.
Kerdan slammed the door shut, laughing.
“I hardly think the situation is funny.”
He shook his head. “She had armor on under her dress.”
“As protection from you?”
“Possibly. I’m sure her enemies are vast.”
“We need to talk about what just happened,” she said. “But first, put a shirt on.” Holding the robe tightly around her body, she gingerly sat on the couch, her stomach and arm stinging.
The prince slid a shirt on and tied his pants. “I apologize,” he said, combing his hair back with his fingers. “I thought it best.” He sat next to her on the couch. “Let me see your wounds.”
“They’re fine.” She clutched the robe firmly shut.
“You’ve inspected them to ensure they are healing properly and there is no sign of infection?”
Well, no, she hadn’t.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
She fidgeted with the sleeve of the robe. “Why did you remove my clothes? Did you know Jana would come here?”
“I had no idea she would show up. Not once has she ever visited here before.” He twisted toward Allyssa on the couch, reached out as if to take her hand, but withdrew, awkwardly placing his hands on his lap. “After you passed out, I removed your clothes for two reasons. First, to make sure you hadn’t sustained cuts elsewhere. Second, I feared there could be some residual poison on the fabric.”
She couldn’t even look at him. He’d seen her naked. Covering her face with her hands, she didn’t know what to say as shame coursed through her.
“Allyssa,” he said gently. “There is no need to be embarrassed.” He pulled her hands away from her face. “My main goal was to help you. You need to understand that I consider you a valuable ally on equal footing as one of my lieutenants. I can’t afford to lose you. I treated you as I would a member of my personal guard.”
Even though there was nothing romantic between them, she still didn’t like the idea of him seeing her naked.
He sighed. “I’m sorry if I offended you. My only concern was saving your life—not your modesty.”
“I . . .” she stammered. “No one can know. I can’t have my virtue called into question.” Staying in his bedchamber was bad enough. If she made it out of this alive, her reputation would be sullied. Her only saving grace would be that Odar wouldn’t mention it to anyone, nor would he hold it against her. However, if people found out, if Jana told someone, if the castle workers talked about what they saw and heard, there would be no salvation.
“I won’t tell anyone,” he promised. “Now, let me take a look.”
Her eyes widened, mortified. She held the robe closed, refusing to allow him to see her again.
“Fine.” He stood, turning his back to her. “Check yourself. Make sure neither cut has anything oozing from it and that there aren’t any black marks.”
She hurried and opened the robe, pulling up the shirt and examining the wound on her abdomen. There was a thin red line, no black marks, nor anything oozing from it. Closing the robe, she pushed up her sleeve. Again, the cut looked fine. “All clear.”
Kerdan turned and faced her. “I will go and make sure Odar knows you’re alive and well. I’ll also arrange a time for the three of us to meet so we can come up with a plan. I want Jana and her family dead in three days.” He went to the door.
“Why so soon?” Would that give them enough time to create and execute the assassination?
“If we wait any longer, I fear you’ll turn up dead.”
“Speaking of which, how did Soma get in here last night?”
“He stole my keys when I was in a meeting with my father. But don’t fret, I already changed the locks and added a few tricks of my own to ensure he won’t be able to enter this room again.”
She looked into the eyes of her enemy-turned-partner. “Thank you for tending to my wounds and ensuring I received the antidote.” If he hadn’t shown up when he did, she would be dead.
He gave her a silent nod and left.
Chapter Eighteen
Allyssa sat on the couch while Odar stood with his arms folded across his chest, both intently listening as Kerdan outlined the plan he devised. The entire royal family would be visiting a powerful noble’s estate several miles to the north in two days. There was one bridge they needed to cross just outside a nearby town. All Odar and Allyssa had to do was disable the bridge so that when the royal family’s carriage went over it, it collapsed, killing those inside. He then went on to explain that he would take Allyssa to the town tomorrow. There, he would point out the bridge and show her where the necessary tools would be hidden.
“What about you?” Odar asked. “What role do you play in this?”
“I will be on horseback with my father. We will remain behind the carriage at a safe distance.”
“And once the bridge collapses?” Odar asked.
“You run like hell.” He folded his arms, imitating Odar. Allyssa held in her laugh.
“I suppose something simple like shooting them from a distance wouldn’t work,” Odar mumbled.
“No, it wouldn’t. Once the soldiers realized what was happening, they would hunt you down for assassinating the royal family. The bridge collapsing will simply appear to be an accident. As chaos ensues, the two of you will be afforded an opportunity to escape without anyone pursuing.”
“Very well,” Odar said.
“Just be sure to claim you have a stomachache and remain in bed so you don’t wind up in that carriage with them.”
The plan was bold, especially since it would be daytime. However, Allyssa thought it would work. Kerdan had assured her the terrain was such that she and Odar could easily slip away unnoticed. The only thing he hadn’t explained was how they would disable the bridge.
Odar looked from her to Kerdan and then back again. “I’d like a moment alone with Princess Allyssa,” he said.
Kerdan nodded. “Very well, but be quick. I must escort you back to the royal wing as soon as possible. We can’t risk Shelene realizing you’re not there.”
Odar snorted. “She’s still asleep and won’t rise before the midday meal.”
Allyssa bit her tongue. She really wanted to say something nasty about the princess, especially knowing Odar once had feelings for her. But she didn’t want to display her jealous side before these two men.
Kerdan paused at the door. “I’ll be in the hallway,” he said. “When you’re done, let me know.” It seemed like he wanted to say more, but he left the room without another word.
“Before we discuss Kerdan’s plan, I need to know how you’re doing.”