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.
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.