“I’m fine.” Her stomach and arm barely hurt.
He let out a sigh and sat next to her. “When rumors started circulating that you were dead, I almost murdered everyone in a fit of rage.”
“How did you find out?” she asked.
“Shelene told me. I think she wanted to see my reaction. Thankfully, Kerdan pulled me aside and explained what happened before I did something rash.”
There were so many games and deceptions in this castle of darkness.
Odar leaned forward and kissed her lips. “I can’t stand the thought of losing you.” He gently kissed her again. “You do understand that the marriage treaty I signed with Shelene isn’t valid? That you and I are still legally engaged?” He rested his forehead against hers.
“Yes.” They just needed his parents’ approval and the marriage ceremony could take place. That was, if they made it out of Russek alive. She reached up and touched his cheek. Her dark hand next to his lighter skin; her fingertips still ugly and scabbed over. “Let’s discuss the plan.”
He shook his head. “It’s fine. We’ll make it work.”
“Then what did you want to talk about?”
Lowering his voice, he said, “You know not to trust Prince Kerdan, don’t you?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ve been staying with him for days. He has aided me more than once. There is nothing to be concerned about.”
“That’s not what I meant,” he said. “I fear he is using you to do his dirty work.”
“He is using me.” Kerdan wanted her to kill the royal family, and she needed him to get her out of Russek and to stop the war. Their agreement was born of necessity. A pure and simple negotiation where they both got what they wanted.
“I think there’s more to it than that.” Odar ran his hands through his dark hair. “I mean, why you? He could pull this off without your help. There are dozens of ways he could kill Jana and keep his hands clean.”
“If something goes wrong, he can blame me, the princess of Russek’s enemy staying right here in the castle. It is the perfect cover story.” It was what she would do in his situation. She wasn’t stupid. She knew the risks and felt they were worth it.
He leaned back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. “We’re overlooking something.”
“He just wants them dead,” she said, unable to reveal Kerdan’s hatred for Jana, his suspicion that Jana killed his mother in order to take the throne. Allyssa had promised secrecy in that room and intended to keep that promise.
“And once we dispose of them, then what?”
“The war ends. He promised me he would stop it.” Jana wanted Emperion, not the king. He was only invading to appease her.
“They’ve already conquered Melenia. Do you honestly think Jana’s death will end the war? And if so, what about Kricok, Landania, and Fia?”
“Those kingdoms now fall under the Emperion Empire. I don’t know what will happen to Melenia.” And Russek had only taken Melenia to gain soldiers to ensure they had an advantage when they attacked Emperion. Jana was the problem, and if they removed her, the problem would be resolved.
Odar said, “You claim this is all about revenge.”
“It is. Jana will stop at nothing to see my family destroyed.”
“I agree. But…what if there’s more to it than that? What if the king and Kerdan have another agenda?”
Why did Odar have to overthink this? Or had he heard something, seen something that fueled his suspicions? “Kerdan hasn’t indicated anything else is going on to me.”
“Promise me something.” She nodded. “Don’t let your guard down or trust anyone here. You can’t be swayed by how…nice Prince Kerdan is treating you. He is a captain in the Russek Army and is just as ruthless as his father. Don’t underestimate him.”
On the exterior, Kerdan appeared every bit as bloodthirsty as the king. However, he was a good man on the inside who would one day be a great leader. He wore masks—just like she did. Just like Odar did. “I understand your concern. But it’s not necessary.”
“You’re wrong. We’re a means to an end. Puppets in this performance.”
“If that’s what it takes to get us out of Russek and stop the war, then so be it.”
“Sometimes, you’re too quick to act and reckless.”
Allyssa stiffened. She hadn’t made the bargain with Kerdan without thinking it through. She wasn’t a fool. “You don’t have to participate in the plan. Go back to Shelene and play the doting fiancé.”
He ignored her outburst, as if he hadn’t heard a word of it. “And you’re loyal beyond belief. You’d walk through fire for those you love.”
“Your point?” she snapped. Once they married, would all their conversations be so heated and exhausting?
He reached up, cupping her cheek. “Both Prince Kerdan and Soma know I care for you. What if they use that against us? All either one has to do is put a knife to your throat, and I’m powerless.”
Allyssa understood his fear—she had it too. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for Odar, her parents, or her kingdom. That was how love worked. She knew her heart couldn’t stay locked in a cage, shielded from everything. “It’s not like you can stop loving me just to protect me,” she whispered. “Love doesn’t work that way.” He closed his eyes. “Odar?” she asked, wondering what he was thinking. He wasn’t…afraid…to love her, was he?
“I should go.” He abruptly stood and went to the door, leaving her feeling cold and alone. As if she was indeed missing something.
***
“When you said you would show me where the bridge is located, this isn’t the excursion I had in mind,” Allyssa said, shivering as she glanced up at the darkening sky. Thick gray clouds rolled in, promising more snow.
“You honestly didn’t think we’d travel with my soldiers, did you?” He gave her a look that implied the mere idea reeked of stupidity.
She rolled her eyes. She didn’t think they would travel with his men—not when they were going to the place where she planned to murder the royal family. However, she most certainly didn’t think they would travel on foot through the thick snow to the bridge. Nor did she anticipate traveling with four other men on their way to the local market with a cart loaded with goods to sell.
“Couldn’t we have ridden on horseback?” Her blasted feet were going numb despite the thick leather boots and wool socks she wore.
“Around here,” Kerdan responded, “commoners don’t own horses. Only the army and those with extreme wealth do.”
“You mean to tell me people walk from one town to another?” That would take forever and didn’t seem very efficient.
“Shortly after Jana weaseled her way into my father’s life, she recommended every soldier be mounted. So, the army commandeered as many horses as they could.”
“That’s horrible.” Kerdan had said that when Jana took the throne, Russek began sinking into poverty. Now Allyssa was starting to understand why. The prince’s face looked haunted, so she tried changing the subject. “How far is the town?”