A fire roared in the massive hearth, casting a soft glow throughout the four-story room. She went straight to the section where the histories of the kingdoms were and immediately located the book her tutor had assigned. Since her guards were waiting patiently at the library’s entrance for her, she made her way to her favorite section. Trailing her fingers over the spines, she found the next book in the series she was reading for pleasure about a girl from a foreign continent who had magic and used a bo staff to wield that power. Allyssa was eager to learn if the girl defeated the evil king.
Fairly certain she could remain calm when she spoke to her parents, she headed to the royal wing, discreetly observing the people still awake and moving about. She had never seen this much activity at night. One sentry was meeting with a handful of guards, waving his arms about as if giving instructions. Several kitchen workers were carrying baskets of food to the kitchen. Dozens of servants were still cleaning.
When she reached the Royal Chambers, her parents had already turned in for the night. As Allyssa went to her bedchamber, she was filled with a sense of dread. Things were about to change. She just knew it. Thankfully, she was about to leave the castle and spend some time with Grevik. Chasing thieves through the city would help ease her nerves. At least, that was what she hoped.
Allyssa wished they were roaming the streets. She hadn’t snuck out of the castle to just sit in a tavern for hours and not do anything even remotely productive. They only had a couple of weeks until Grevik became an official City Guard, and they couldn’t track down criminals together anymore.
“You look more agitated than normal,” Grevik teased, poking her in the ribs.
She shot him a look of annoyance. “Why are we sitting here?” she asked.
He leaned back on his chair, observing the patrons eating and drinking. Now that she was paying attention, she saw several groups of people huddled close together talking. No one was playing cards. What is going on?
“Did you hear the news?” he asked, leaning forward on the table and lowering his voice. She shook her head. “My friend Vardin’s sister works at the castle. She told him another prince is on his way to ask for Princess Allyssa’s hand in marriage.”
Based upon the way Allyssa’s father was acting and the state of the castle, she’d suspected as much.
“People are saying the threat from Russek is worse than the royal family is letting on,” Grevik added. “The empress probably wants to align with another kingdom to strengthen our army.”
“We won’t go to war,” Allyssa said, unable to believe he was talking about her family without even knowing it. “Especially against Russek. They’re small and insignificant.”
“That may be,” Grevik answered. “But they are vicious. I heard they raped and murdered all the women and children in Melenia.”
Bile rose in the back of her throat. How could any man behave in such a cruel and evil manner? “Luckily, we don’t share a border with them,” she absently said, thinking about Prince Zek of Fia.
Grevik shrugged. “You never know, Lilly. At least we have the princess to ransom off to the highest bidder. I’m assuming it’s Telmena.”
She almost spit out her drink. “The prince from Telmena is an old croak.”
“I hardly think thirty is old,” Grevik mused. “And it doesn’t matter. He could be sixty for all I care. The point is we have an eligible princess who will strengthen our kingdom through marriage.”
Allyssa whacked her friend’s arm. “We don’t need Telmena,” she vehemently replied. “We’re strong enough without them.” Under no circumstances would she marry a man twice her age—even for the good of her country.
Grevik took another swig from his mug.
Straining to listen to those sitting at nearby tables, Allyssa couldn’t catch any of their conversations. Was this how her people saw her? A bargaining chip to be ransomed off to the highest bidder? She rubbed her hands over her face.
“You never talk of marrying,” Grevik said. “Why is that?”
Irritation coursed through her. Just because she was a girl didn’t mean she had to be enamored with the idea of marrying. “You don’t talk of marriage either,” she snapped.
He pursed his lips, staring at her.
“Are we just going to sit here?” she said louder than she intended. “Or are we going out? I, for one, need some fresh air.” Before she clobbered someone.
“Not tonight. The City Guard is having an emergency meeting. I spoke with our contact, and he told me to lay low.”
Unable to sit still another minute, she shoved her chair back and stood.