“So it will look like someone attempted to kill the entire family. Only, you will be the sole survivor.” Kerdan nodded. “It’s a sound plan,” Odar agreed, surprising Allyssa. “In order for this to work, time is of the essence.”
Prince Kerdan pulled out a piece of paper. “I’ve sketched the route you need to take to exit the castle and reach the stables without anyone knowing. I have two horses in the back stall. They’ve been deemed ill, and no one will notice they’re gone. Food and clothing are already packed in the saddlebags.”
Odar scanned the map. “I’ve seen enough of the castle to be able to follow this.” He put the paper in his pocket. “I fear for Allyssa’s injuries.”
“I’ll be fine.” She had to be.
“There is a tin in one of the saddlebags. It’s a generic healing salve. It won’t be enough, but it’ll help prevent infection until you can get her to a healer.”
“Very well. We should be on our way.” Odar went over to the dresser and found a clean shirt. He handed it to her. “You can’t walk around the castle covered in blood.”
Using her good arm, she pulled it over her head, carefully putting it on.
Kerdan reached out and gently rested his hand on her shoulder. “Good luck. I’m sure we’ll meet again.”
“Be careful.” It seemed an inadequate reply. If it weren’t for this man, she’d be dead and her kingdom doomed. When he came to the dungeon for her, she never imagined they’d become friends. The truth of the statement shocked her—for they were indeed friends.
He lowered his hand and hesitated, as if he wanted to say more, but when he glanced at Odar, he closed his mouth and went to the door, shoving the furniture out of the way and peering into the hallway. “Wait fifteen minutes before exiting through the servants’ passageways,” he whispered. “From here on out, try to remain hidden.” He exited the room.
She prayed his journey was successful—that the lonely path he took would lead him to peace and contentment. That he would return Russek to a happy and prosperous kingdom.
“I have a pair of knives but no sword,” Odar commented. “Do you have any weapons?” She shook her head. He withdrew a knife and handed it to her. “Last chance to back out.”
Clutching the weapon, she replied, “No. We’re doing this. We will end the threat of war once and for all.”
He slid an arm around her, helping her stand. “I will take care of everything. Just keep yourself safe. Promise me.”
“I promise.” All she had to do was survive the next hour and then they would make their way to the stables, free from this cage of darkness forever.
***
Hiding in the servants’ passageway outside the door to Jana’s room, Allyssa leaned against the cool wall, breathing heavily. It had taken every ounce of her strength to climb the stairs to this level of the castle. Every step she took felt like a hammer smashing into her ribs. Her new shirt was soaked with blood from the wound on her arm. She kept getting lightheaded and needed to rest.
“Wait here,” Odar whispered. “I’ll go in and kill her myself.”
She nodded, knowing she couldn’t help in her condition. Holding a knife in one hand, he stood before the door, taking several breaths before pushing it open and entering the queen’s bedchamber. No sounds came from within. Sweat trickled down the side of her face. She should be the one in there killing Jana. Odar shouldn’t have to do it for her. It wasn’t his responsibility.
After several minutes, he returned, the knife still clutched in his hand. “She wasn’t in there,” he whispered. “I looked everywhere.”
“What do you want to do?” They didn’t have time to search the entire castle for her.
“Let’s move on to Shelene. We can come back for Jana later.” He sheathed his weapon. “Maybe she hasn’t retired for the night yet.”
Her stomach twisted from nerves. Nothing was going according to plan. Odar wrapped his arm around her waist, helping her walk along the narrow passageway. When they reached the door leading to Shelene’s bedchamber, he released her.
“Wait here.”
Allyssa nodded and he pushed open the door, leaving it ajar as he silently stepped into the princess’s room. Glancing inside, she watched him glide across the room to Shelene’s large bed where she lay sleeping, her beautiful black hair cascading around her head. Allyssa’s heart pounded and her breathing sped up. Was Shelene innocent in her mother’s treachery? Did she deserve to die?
Standing next to the bed, Odar bent over the princess, staying in that position for what felt like several minutes. Was he having second thoughts? Allyssa stepped inside the room, ready to help if necessary. Shelene stirred. Bloody hell. What was Odar waiting for?
The princess’s eyes opened. Allyssa stood frozen in place, not wanting to move and draw attention to herself.
“You’re here,” Shelene mumbled, reaching for Odar. “I knew you loved me.” She sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck. He embraced her, caressing her head. Slowly, he moved her hair away from her neck as he mumbled something in her ear. Cradling her head against his shoulder, he lifted the knife and plunged it into her neck. Shelene’s eyes widened in shock. He held her close, not letting go as the blood flowed out of the fatal wound. Allyssa stifled a scream and watched in horror as the life drained from Shelene’s body. When she went slack, Odar gently laid her on the bed.
He remained hunched over the body, his hands shaking. He had killed before, but it had been in life-and-death situations, not an intimate, premeditated murder like this. And there were still two more murders to commit before they could escape from this castle.
Allyssa took a step forward, about to tell him that they needed to hurry, when a cold hand slid over her mouth.
Chapter Twenty-Three
A strong, wiry arm wrapped around Allyssa’s torso, pinning her arms down, the knife pried from her fingers. She tried to scream, but the hand covering her mouth stayed firm. Pain laced through her arm and ribs.
“What? No fight?” Soma purred in her ear. “This is rather disappointing.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “You reek of blood.” He inhaled, making her skin prickle. “What have you done?” He lifted his head and hissed. “Prince Odar.”
Odar spun around and froze, Shelene’s lifeless body sprawled on the bed behind him.
“You killed my sister,” Soma said, his arm around Allyssa’s torso tightening. “You call me the animal, but you have slaughtered an innocent girl. And you will pay for what you’ve done.”
All he had to do was twist her head to snap her neck, killing her. To make it out of this alive, she needed to outsmart and kill the assassin.
“Let Allyssa go,” Odar pleaded. “This has nothing to do with her.”
“I beg to differ.” Soma readjusted his grip, his fingers digging into her cheek. “I knew something was wrong when Kerdan made a big ordeal out of leaving the castle.”