Cage of Deceit (Reign of Secrets Book 1) (11 page)

After Allyssa rode her horse back to the stables, and lost the bet to her mother by a long shot, she dismounted and handed the reins of her horse to a stable-hand. As she headed toward the alley doors where her guards stood waiting for her, Neco slid out of a stall and stepped in front of her.

“I’d like a word with you, Your Highness,” he said, his voice cold and without its usual friendliness. The only time he spoke to her with that tone was when she was in trouble—which meant Marek must have told him she’d snuck out of the castle.

“I need to change,” Allyssa said, trying to step around him.

“Excellent,” he said. “I’ll escort you to the Royal Chambers and we can talk along the way.”

Her guards fell back, allowing Neco—who outranked them—to lead her from the stables to the castle.

Holding her head high, she tried not to be intimidated by the man standing beside her. He was like an uncle—if she’d had one—and she’d grown up with Neco’s children. There was no need to fear him. However, if he knew she’d snuck out, he’d make sure she never did it again. And, chances were, if Neco knew, then her parents did too. Blimey. She was in a heap of trouble.

So far, he hadn’t uttered a single word to her as they walked through the castle, which meant he wanted to make her sweat. She knew all his tricks. When they reached the second floor, Neco finally said, “Marek came to speak to me.”

“Is that so?” she replied, trying not to say too much since she wasn’t certain what Marek had told him. 

Neco gently, but firmly, took hold of her arm, pulling her next to one of the windows. He gave a hand signal to the guards, telling them to block the hallway on each side of them so no one could pass by and overhear their conversation. Once the guards were in position, they turned their backs, giving them privacy.

Her heart thundered in her chest and her hands became sweaty.

“Is there anything you would like to tell me?” Neco asked, releasing her arm but standing too close for comfort.

“Not particularly.”

He stood there, staring at her, trying to intimidate her. She bit her tongue, refusing to tell him about her nightly escapades. 

Neco sighed. “You have to understand, your safety is Marek’s number-one priority.” Allyssa nodded. “My son told me he has some concerns, although he didn’t specifically say what they are.”

Relief filled her. Neco didn’t know anything that had happened this morning. 

“When Marek came to speak with me, he was upset. I’ve never, and I repeat, never, seen him like that before.” Neco folded his arms, his eyes boring into hers. “I’m not sure what you did, but I want to make sure it doesn’t happen again. You can’t put yourself in jeopardy. You are the only heir left.”

His words stung. The only heir left. Her twin brother, Savenek, had died shortly after they were born. Now the entire line depended upon her since she was the sole remaining heir. 

“I know,” she replied, her voice weak.

He placed his hands upon her shoulders. “Allyssa,” he said, using her name instead of her title, “I know you’re under a lot of pressure right now. We all are. But that is no excuse to endanger yourself.”

“I understand your concern,” she said. “However, I haven’t done anything reckless.” Every precaution had been taken to ensure her identity remained a secret.

Neco raised his eyebrows. “Even though Marek didn’t tell me exactly what you did, I’ve been around long enough to suspect what happened, or should I say, what has been happening.”

His hands fell from her shoulders and she turned to stare outside the window, not really seeing anything on the other side of the leaded glass. Neco knew she’d been sneaking out. Rubbing her tired face, she tried to figure out what to do so her parents wouldn’t find out.

“I need your word this … behavior will stop,” he said, leaning against the window ledge.

Allyssa didn’t say anything. She supposed she could agree. After all, Grevik would be a City Guard shortly and she wouldn’t be sneaking out any more. But the thought of not going into the city, of never seeing Grevik again, made her chest tighten and it became hard to breathe.

“You’ve always been so stubborn,” Neco muttered. “Tell you what, how about if you just promise to have Marek with you?”

She hadn’t expected him to say that. He was offering a compromise, and she had to take it.

“Not that I’m saying it’s okay for you to do something stupid and dangerous,” Neco clarified. “But if you decide to suspend all common sense, at least have my son with you.”

“Very well,” Allyssa said. “Should I choose to do something foolish, I’ll be sure to include Marek.”

“Promise me,” Neco insisted.

She hesitated. If she gave him her word, she wouldn’t be able to break that promise.

“Or I will tell the emperor everything.”

He was serious, and she couldn’t let her father find out what she’d been doing. Turning away from the window, she faced Neco again. “On my honor, I promise.”

“Thank you.”

Glancing over Neco’s shoulder, she saw someone down the corridor, on the other side of where her guards stood blocking the hallway. Watching her and Neco speak was Jarvik. Why did he have to be everywhere she was? Was he spying on her for the prince? Or was she simply that unlucky to keep running into him?

Neco released the guards and they surrounded her once again, opening up the corridor. When Jarvik neared, he gave a curt nod, not uttering a single word as he passed by.

***

The prince, accompanied by his most dutiful squire, entered the sitting room in the Royal Chambers. It took every ounce of self-control Allyssa had not to scream at Jarvik and demand he leave at once. When Mayra had invited the prince, she specifically said it was a private dinner party for Prince Odar.

Rema and Darmik welcomed them before sitting next to one another on the sofa. Allyssa hurried and sat on the chair near the fireplace, forcing the prince and squire to share the other sofa. Her father looked at her and raised his eyebrows, questioning her behavior. She merely smiled as if she were happy to be with such lovely company.

“We’re so pleased you could join us this evening,” Rema said.

“Thank you for the invitation,” Prince Odar replied. “I look forward to getting to know you and your family better.”

Allyssa folded her hands on her lap.

“We appreciate you traveling so far to speak with us,” Darmik said. “Especially considering how dangerous traveling is right now.”

“It was necessary,” the prince said, leaning back on the sofa. “This alliance is beneficial for both our kingdoms.” He quickly glanced at Jarvik, who sat there staring at something on the side table. “If we hadn’t received your invitation,” Prince Odar continued, “I don’t know what we would have done to stop Russek. So with all due respect, it is I who should be thanking you.” He gave that dazzling smile of his.

Allyssa wanted to know what lay under his beautiful exterior. What sort of man was he? What did he enjoy doing in his spare time? “Prince Odar,” Allyssa said, and all eyes turned to her. “I would love to know about your country. We hear so little about Fren.”

The prince’s eyes darted to his squire before returning to her. “Our kingdom is more like your northern lands. We don’t have any deserts like you do in your southern region.” He paused and peered at Jarvik again. “Um … our coastal areas have great steep cliffs, most of the kingdom has excellent farmland, and the northern portion of the Biztanek Forest is teaming with oak trees, which we use for making furniture and homes.”

Fren was known for keeping to themselves—they didn’t import or export with any other kingdom except Telmena.

A tray of tea was brought in, and the servant handed Allyssa a cup. “Tell me about your parents, about court, and about your interests,” she said. She took a sip of tea and waited for him to continue. 

“My parents are kind but strict,” he said, setting his cup down on the low table in front of him. “Our court is similar to yours—we have those vying for political positions, others seeking an advantageous marriage, and lots of gossips. As far as my interests go … I enjoy hunting and reading. However, I spend a lot of my time working, so there is very little time for such luxuries.”

Taking another sip, Allyssa decided to question him on their marriage. Perhaps she could learn what to expect from him once the contract was finalized. 

“How do you feel about us aligning ourselves in order to fight Russek?” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her father cross his legs. He always did that when he wanted her to back off.

Prince Odar tugged his collar, and he swallowed hard. “As I said before, it’s advantageous for both kingdoms.”

“Yes, but how do you feel personally about the two of us marrying?”

The squire knocked over a statue that was sitting on the side table, and all attention turned to him. “Sorry,” he murmured.

Darmik cleared his throat. “Jarvik, why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself?” he said, changing the subject to something more neutral.

“There is nothing to tell. I am a squire for the prince.”

Who knows how to fight exceptionally well, Allyssa thought. Usually, squires oversaw the prince’s lords-in-waiting, acted as a valet, accompanied the prince to various activities, and carried confidential messages. There was definitely more to Jarvik than he was letting on.

“Pardon the interruption,” Neco said as he hurried into the room. “I must speak with Your Majesties immediately.”

Rema and Darmik excused themselves and left the room with Neco.

Allyssa looked to the squire, who gave no indication he planned to say anything else now that her parents were gone. “Jarvik, how do you feel about Fren and Emperion’s union? Do you, like Prince Odar, believe it to be advantageous?” She was pretty sure the squire despised her, but how did he feel about the marriage?

His eyes focused on her as he said, “Fren is a proud country, and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to protect it.” He spoke with such conviction that Allyssa admired his passion. Yet, he hadn’t answered her question.

“Does your loyalty lie with Fren or the prince?” she asked, leaning forward. Prince Odar obviously trusted the squire, but she wasn’t sure he should. Perhaps Jarvik had his own agenda.

The squire’s eyes narrowed. “They are one in the same.”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “They most certainly are not.” Allyssa knew the difference. She knew who served her crown versus who served her as a person.

He rested his arms on his legs as he studied her. “What about you?” he quietly asked. “Where does your loyalty lie?”

Jarvik was a shrewd and cunning man. Allyssa wasn’t sure if she should admire or fear him. “Like you,” she responded, “I love my kingdom and will do anything to secure peace so that my people may prosper.”

“So you’ll align yourself with Prince Odar just to prevent war?” Jarvik asked. “Even though you obviously don’t care for him?”

“Yes,” she snapped. “I’ll do whatever I have to for Emperion.” He was about to respond when she cut him off. “I’m sure the prince’s feelings for me are similar to my own for him. Friendship and love will come in time.”

“You honestly aren’t taken with him?” he asked, pointing to the prince.

She jumped to her feet, unable to sit still any longer. “That is none of your business. It is between the prince and me. Now back off.”

Jarvik’s eyes widened. “You have quite the temper.”

She glanced at the prince, but he kept his head down, giving no indication that he intended to join in the conversation. Was he seriously going to sit there and allow his squire to speak to her in such a way? “I suggest you leave me alone,” she said. Before I wallop you, she thought to herself.

“I’m simply trying to ascertain your disposition. The king and queen don’t want someone volatile marrying their son and leading their army into war. They need a levelheaded girl by their son’s side.”

Putting her hands on her hips, she asked, “Are you in their confidence? Did they send you here for this reason?” Perhaps the king and queen knew Prince Odar would do his duty, so they sent the squire to make sure this match was truly in the best interest of their son and kingdom. Even though she didn’t like Jarvik, she admired his sovereigns for being so practical.