Cage of Deceit (Reign of Secrets Book 1) (10 page)

Marek started to say, “Your Hi—”

But Allyssa quickly cut him off. “No one knows I’m out here.” She looked pointedly at him. “And I want to keep it that way.”

“Who’s this?” Mayra nodded toward Grevik.

“This is my friend, Grevik. I’ve known him for years.”

“Years?” Marek practically screamed, his eyes getting huge and his face turning red.

“Someone please tell me what’s going on,” Grevik pleaded.

“Years?” Marek repeated, taking a step closer to Allyssa.

“I will explain everything to everyone later,” Allyssa said, exasperated. “But right now, I need to get inside the castle.”

“Give me a moment to think,” Marek said, running his hands through his hair.

Allyssa made sure her hood was low over her face, trying to conceal as much of it as possible.

“I have an idea,” Marek finally said. “Let’s go.”

The four of them stepped out of the alcove and onto the busy street.

“We don’t need you,” Marek said to Grevik. “You can go.”

Grevik glanced to Allyssa for confirmation. “He’s right,” she said. “They can sneak me in safely.”

He wrapped her in a hug. Mayra went rigid while Marek unsheathed his dagger.

“I don’t have much time,” Allyssa said, gently pushing away from him.

He nodded. “I understand, but tonight, I want an explanation.”

“Of course.”

Marek took hold of her elbow while Mayra stood on the other side of her. Together, the three of them approached a small entrance in the wall used solely by the soldiers living on the castle grounds.

The guard on duty immediately recognized Marek.

“I’m sorry this is a bit untoward,” Marek said, speaking quietly to the guard as if they shared a secret, “but my sister had an emergency. Surely you don’t mind if I escort her and the princess’s lady-in-waiting into the castle this way, do you?”

The guard hesitated. “Only soldiers are permitted to enter here.”

“I know,” Marek responded. “But my father, Neco, was sure you’d understand and grant his daughter entrance.”

“Yes, of course,” the guard said, opening the gate and allowing them in. “I won’t mention this to anyone. Enjoy your day, sir.”

Keeping her focus on the ground, Allyssa forced herself to walk at a normal pace as she passed the guard and stepped foot onto the grounds within the wall. Relief filled her—one major hurdle down. Now all she had to do was make it to her bedchamber.

“How did you leave your room without your guards knowing?” Marek quietly asked as they passed the barracks and neared the castle. 

Allyssa didn’t want to tell him because he’d probably seal up the chute to prevent her from sneaking out again. However, she needed to get back into her bedchamber unseen, and that was the only way in besides the guarded doors. Sighing, she quickly told him how she’d been getting in and out.

Marek put his hand on the door latch and paused. “The laundry room will be too crowded at this hour.”

“I have an idea,” Mayra said. “Follow me.”

Marek pushed open the door, and the three of them entered the castle. Mayra led them down a dimly lit corridor. They passed by the kitchen, which was already filled with servants preparing trays of food and cooks tending to the ovens. A few sentries were up ahead so Allyssa ducked her head, staying behind Mayra, hoping they didn’t notice her. When the sentries recognized Marek, they didn’t even question them.

“In here,” Mayra said, opening the door to the wine cellar. “Wait here while I go and find a laundry basket for Allyssa to hide in. Then we’ll smuggle her into the laundry room and cause a distraction so she can locate the right chute and climb back up.”

“Why the wine cellar?” Allyssa asked.

Mayra chuckled. “No one respectable drinks this early in the morning, so there’s no reason for any of the servants to be in here. I’ll be back in five minutes.” She hurried from the room.

Marek started pacing back and forth in the small space. Each of the walls was lined floor to ceiling with bottles of wine, and the place smelled of sweet wood. Marek turned to Allyssa, about to say something, when the door flew open and Jarvik entered.

The squire froze with his hand still on the handle. “What’s going on?” he demanded, glancing back into the hallway and then stepping inside the wine cellar and closing the door behind him. “Why is the princess dressed like that, and why are the two of you in here alone?”

This was bad. Allyssa couldn’t believe Jarvik, of all people, found her here. “It’s none of your business,” she replied. “But since you’re going to run to Prince Odar to report my every move, you should know that I was outside running drills with Marek. Now tell me what you’re doing here in the castle’s wine cellar?”

Most likely, he hadn’t been following her because he seemed too stunned when he first walked in. She tilted her head to the side, waiting for his response.

“Prince Odar asked me to select a bottle for tonight. He wants to ask you to supper. Again.” His eyes scanned her body. “You don’t look as if you’ve been running drills. You’re not tired and sweaty.” He cocked his head to the side. “You’re dressed like a commoner, you have dirt smeared on your face, and your hair is a mess. I think you have some explaining to do.”

How could he have the audacity to speak to her in such a manner? She was about to yell at him when Marek stepped in front of her and faced Jarvik. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave, squire.”

Jarvik laughed. “So every time I ruffle the princess’s feathers, you’re going to ask me to leave? Is that it?” He took a step toward Marek, the two men now only inches apart.

“I’m not asking,” Marek said. “I’m telling you to get out of here.” His hand gripped the hilt of his sword so hard his knuckles turned white.

Allyssa had never heard Marek speak so forcefully before.

“It’s not wise for you to order me around,” Jarvik said in a deadly calm voice. “I’ll leave when I’m ready to leave, not when some whelp tells me to.”

“Stop,” Allyssa demanded. She moved around Marek and stood between him and Jarvik, forcing the two men to each take a step back, away from one another.

The squire’s eyes narrowed as he looked from Allyssa to Marek and back again. “What are the two of you hiding?” he asked.

The door opened halfway and Mayra slid inside the room, carrying a large laundry basket. When she peered up and saw Jarvik, she froze.

“I want to speak with the princess, alone,” Jarvik said, staring at Allyssa with cold eyes filled with contempt. Mayra nodded and left. Jarvik turned to Marek, waiting for him to leave.

Marek shook his head. “I’m her personal guard. She is never alone, especially with a squire.”

Jarvik’s face reddened and his hands clenched into fists. “I think I understand what’s going on here,” he said, his voice laced with anger. “The two of you,” he pointed to Allyssa and Marek, “are having an affair.”

“What?” Allyssa demanded, her temper rising. She’d had enough from this arrogant prick. “How dare you accuse me of such a thing? Why are you so determined to tie me to a lover?” She stood in front of him, pointing her finger at his chest, her hand shaking with rage.

He raised his eyebrows. “I’m simply looking at the overwhelming evidence.”

She reached up to wrap her fingers around his neck, but he latched onto her wrists with surprising force. The tip of Marek’s sword flew to Jarvik’s exposed side, resting there.

“I hate you,” Allyssa spit. “You’re cruel, uncaring, and don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Trust me, the feeling is quite mutual. You’re a pampered snob who is used to getting her way.”

“Take your hands off the princess,” Marek demanded. “Now.”

The squire released her. “I’ll inform the prince of what I saw,” he sneered. “I doubt he’ll want anything to do with you.” He glanced down at the sword, and Marek lowered it. And with that, Jarvik stormed out of the room.

Allyssa stood there, steaming with fury. Marek sheathed his sword, and Mayra came back in with the laundry basket.

“I can’t believe he thinks I’m having an affair,” Allyssa said, rubbing her face. “I’ve never wanted to physically hurt anyone as much as I want to kill Jarvik. He’s insufferable.” She clenched her hands into fists. “I’m going to win the prince over just to irritate the squire. Mayra—go to Prince Odar’s room at once and personally invite him, and only him, to dine with me this evening. Try to arrive before Jarvik does.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” She hurried from the room. Luckily, Mayra knew the stairwells the servants used and Jarvik did not.

“I can’t wait to see the look of ire on Jarvik’s face when the prince and I become friends.”

“I’d like to remind you,” Marek said, “that if you hope to still be alive and well in order to wreak havoc on Jarvik’s life, then you need make it back into your bedchamber before anyone discovers you’re missing.”

Of course, Marek was right. In Allyssa’s outrage over the squire, she’d forgotten she needed to slip back into her rooms unnoticed. She climbed into the basket. “I hope you can carry this by yourself to the laundry room.” Curling into a ball, she made sure her cape covered her body. If anyone peeked in, they would only see plain fabric.

“Hopefully I put you under the right laundry chute and can create a distraction.”

“I agree, seeing as how your job and my freedom are at stake,” she said, her voice muffled by the fabric.

He lifted the basket, grunting as he did so. “Here we go,” Marek whispered. “No more talking. You’ll know when it’s time to climb out and into the chute.”

As he walked, the basket jostled from one side to the other, her head banging against the wicker. The muffled sounds of people talking could be heard as he made his way to the laundry room. He set the basket down with a soft thump, and Allyssa had to stifle a grunt from the impact.

“Can I have your attention please,” Marek announced. “I have been sent to escort everyone outside for a random check. Please exit immediately.”

“Sir, what are you checking?” a girl asked.

“I am making sure everyone is wearing the proper uniform and that everyone has reported for duty. Hurry now, I haven’t got all day.”

Allyssa heard several people pass by the basket on their way out of the laundry room.

“All clear,” Marek said, and then the door closed.

Now was her chance. She stood and untangled herself from the basket. Wasting no time, she flipped the basket upside down and climbed on top. Reaching up, she grabbed ahold of the end of the laundry chute and hoisted her body inside. Once her boots connected with the side, she shimmied her way up the dark tube until she reached the small, wooden door.

Opening it up an inch, she peered inside her room. It was empty. Throwing the door open, she tumbled onto the floor of her bedchamber, thankful to have made it.

The wind tossed Allyssa’s hair as she sat low on her horse, racing across the field behind the castle, trying to catch up to Rema. The first one to reach the forest would be deemed the winner. Although Allyssa wasn’t particularly crazy about horses—she much preferred sparring—she loved riding with her mother. It was one of the few opportunities they had to spend time together without the members of court watching.

Rema glanced back over shoulder, smiling at her daughter. Allyssa grinned and nudged her horse faster, hoping to at least tie. She didn’t want to be flat-out beaten. Again. Her mother leaned forward in her saddle and her horse took off. Allyssa had no hope of catching her. When Rema reached the forest, she slowed, waiting for her.

“It’s infuriating that you win every time,” Allyssa said.

“Your father says the same thing,” her mother replied.  “Come, I want to show you something.”

Allyssa guided her horse after her mother’s. They wound their way between the trees, the soldiers accompanying them keeping a respectable distance. When they reached a small clearing, Allyssa immediately recognized where they were—it was the spot where Prince Odar had been practicing with his soldiers. “Why did you bring me here?” she asked.

Rema dismounted, waiting for her daughter to do the same. Reluctantly, Allyssa swung a leg over and slid off her horse.

“I want to talk to you.” Rema glanced up at their guards, making sure they were far enough away so they wouldn’t overhear.

Allyssa had been afraid something like this was coming. Her mother probably wanted to convince her to marry Prince Odar. Rolling her shoulders back, she prepared for whatever her mother had to say.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Rema chided her.

“What?” Allyssa asked.

“Like you have to be here and whatever I say, you are going to tolerate, but not actually listen to.”

Oh. Well, that had been exactly what she was planning on doing.

“I was your age once,” Rema mused. “I wasn’t raised in this lifestyle. I became empress when I was eighteen—two years older than you.” Rema sat on a nearby boulder. “Did you know I was originally engaged to another man? Against my will? Twice as a matter of fact.”

Allyssa didn’t know that. She sat next to her mother on the boulder, waiting for her to continue. 

Rema’s eyes darkened with thoughts from the past as she explained how she’d been engaged to her best friend when a cruel prince forced her into an agreement with him. “I never want you to be in either one of those positions,” she continued. “I never want to make you do something against your will.” She patted her daughter’s leg. “So, I need to know what you want.”

“What I want?” Allyssa asked, confused. No one ever asked her what she wanted. “Do you want me to be honest or give you the correct answer?”

“I want honesty,” Rema said. “I need to know what my daughter wants, not what the princess or the heir to the kingdom wants.”

“I’m not certain,” Allyssa answered. “I’ve never allowed myself to dream about what I want because I’m on a path where I don’t have choices.”

“That’s not true,” Rema said. “You have plenty of choices. Some of them might not be the ones you want, but you will always have decisions to make.” She wrapped an arm around Allyssa’s shoulders. “I need to know if you want this life.”

“Of course I do.” How could she not want her life? She was lucky to have two loving parents and to be in a position of privilege.

“You misunderstand me. I need to know if you’re willing to lead this kingdom, to keep it safe, and to make the hard choices for the betterment of the people you rule over. I’m not going to force you to do something you don’t want to, so I need to know where your heart and loyalties lie.”

Was her mother serious? Allyssa studied Rema’s face, seeing only love and not an ounce of disappointment or judgment. Taking a deep breath, she answered, “Sometimes, I want to break out of this cage,” she admitted. “But I love Emperion, and I will do what is best for the people who live here.”

“Are you certain?”

If Allyssa didn’t do it, who would? She was the only heir and therefore, the only one capable of helping to stop a war. “Yes, Mother. I am.”

She sighed. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“What’s going on that you’re not telling me?”

Rema clasped Allyssa’s hands, squeezing them tightly. “Fia and Landania sent messages begging to join Emperion. There are stories of such horror and unimaginable atrocities at the hand of the Russek king and his soldiers.”  Tears filled Rema’s eyes. “Honey, we are facing a real threat of war. I’ve been in battle before, and it’s not something I care to see again—especially where your safety is concerned.”

“What do you need from me?” Allyssa asked, desperate to help in any way she could.

“We need this alliance with Fren. If you marry Prince Odar, Telmena will support our acquisition of Fia, Landania, and Kricok. Then we can organize all our armies to fight Russek.”

Allyssa had known it would come down to this. “I understand.” She would do what had to be done for her people. By marrying the prince, she would save thousands of lives.

“I know Odar might not be what you imagined, but just because both of you are going into this for political reasons, doesn’t mean you can’t have a real marriage, eventually.”

“At least we know everyone at court likes him,” Allyssa said, trying to sound upbeat and positive.

Rema chuckled. “Yes, besides being easy on the eyes, he seems rather nice.” Her mother paused and took a deep breath before continuing, “I’m sorry to put you in this position. When I had you, this was my one fear.” A tear slid down Rema’s face.

Allyssa had been so consumed with how this affected her, she never once stopped to think how her parents were handling the situation. Seeing her mother’s tears made her chest tighten. “It’s fine,” Allyssa assured her. “It will all work out.” She wrapped her arms around Rema, hugging her. “I do have one question.”

Rema laughed. “Just one?” She kissed the top of her daughter’s head and released her.

“Why is Russek invading the nearby kingdoms? Do they seek power?” She’d only met Russek’s king once, and he had seemed like a pleasant sort of man at the time.

Rema shook her head. “Your father and I have been discussing this very issue,” she said. “We have theories, but that’s it. We honestly aren’t sure.”

One of the guards approached. “Your Majesty,” he said, bowing. “We need to head back to the castle. You have a meeting with the Legion.”

She nodded, and he returned to the other guards.

“Mother, since I’m to marry Prince Odar, I should become better acquainted with him.”

“I agree,” Rema said, standing and going to her horse.

“I invited him to join us for dinner in the Royal Chambers.”

“That’s an excellent idea,” Rema said. “Race you back to the castle.”

Allyssa jumped to her feet.

“Loser arranges tonight’s dinner with the steward,” Rema called over her shoulder as she mounted.

Blimey, Allyssa thought as she struggled to quickly mount. She didn’t enjoy planning these events, even on a small scale. Rema laughed as she nudged her horse and took off.