Cage of Deceit(40)

“If you don’t go with me, I’ll leave on my own.”

He pointed at her. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

“Stop,” she chided him. “I simply need you to escort me out of the castle so I can meet my friend.”

“The one from today?” She nodded. “No,” he answered.

“I owe him an explanation.”

“Write him a letter. I’ll deliver it.”

“I’m going out. Are you coming?” She started walking out of the training room.

“Fine,” he called after her, “but this is the only time I’m doing this. Do you understand?”

She spun around and smiled. “Thank you.”

He told her to wait there while he got some provisions, which she assumed meant several knives, swords, and daggers. She reached down and felt her own weapons strapped to her thighs under her clothing. This was going to be an interesting night.





“This isn’t going to work,” Allyssa insisted. When Marek had said he needed provisions, she assumed he meant weapons, not more guards. “I was able to slip in and out of the castle unnoticed because I was alone,” she said.

“We’re not trying to leave the castle unnoticed,” Marek retorted.

He might not be, but she certainly was. “We can’t go traipsing around the city in a large group. We’ll attract too much attention,” she said, trying to make him at least understand her reasoning.

“I’m not letting the crown princess leave the castle without the proper protection, especially at a time of war,” he answered simply. “Besides, they’re all generically dressed and we’re not going to walk together—we’ll spread out when we enter the city.”

“For the record,” she muttered, “I think this is a bad idea.”

“It is a bad idea,” he agreed. “You shouldn’t be leaving the castle at all, especially at night and unannounced.”

“You know what I mean.” She shouldered past him and exited the castle.

“So where to, Lilly?” Marek asked, following close behind.

“We’re going to my friend’s apartment building near the center of town.”

As they made their way along the city streets, her guards walked tall and stiff. Even though they were dressed as commoners, anyone looking at them would know they weren’t.

“I can tell where every single guard is,” she groaned. “Can they back off a little more?”

“No,” Marek answered. “They are to keep you in sight at all times.”

They finally reached Grevik’s building. When she went to climb the ladder to the window of his room as she’d done so many times before, Marek grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the ladder.

“I don’t think so,” he said.

“Let go,” she demanded.

Marek ordered one of her guards to climb up and knock on the window for her.

She couldn’t believe they were all standing out in the open like this. “This is ridiculous,” she complained. “We are going to attract attention.”

“So what if we do?” Marek asked. “No one can do anything to us.”

“I don’t want word to reach my father that I’m out in the city.”

Marek shrugged.

Allyssa leaned against the building, trying to blend in with the shadows. Something moved down the street and she squinted, trying to see if someone was there. The street appeared empty. Above, her guard spoke with Grevik. A minute later, her friend stood before her.

“What’s going on?” he asked, focused only on her and ignoring the half dozen men standing nearby.

“I owe you an explanation,” she said, still leaning against the building. She had planned to have this conversation alone in his room.

He scratched his head. “I thought we were friends.”

“We are.”

“Then why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like what you have to say? That you’ve been keeping things from me all these years? Friends don’t lie to one another.” He leaned against the building next to her, waiting for her to speak.

The words started tumbling out. She told him about the time when she was only twelve years old and had snuck out of her house looking for freedom, but instead, found a dear friend. About how important their friendship had been through the years. About how she lived for their time together roaming the city, searching for criminals. And then she told him she wasn’t really Lilly, but Allyssa, the crown princess.

His face went whiter than snow. “I knew you were hiding something from me,” he whispered, his voice shaking. “I just didn’t know it was this. I thought maybe you were a lady-in-waiting or someone of importance. Never did I imagine you were the actual princess.” He cursed and ran his hands through his hair. “I even saw the princess speak once, and she looked nothing like you.” He pushed away from the wall. “I don’t even know what to say or how to act. Am I supposed to bow? Am I even allowed to talk to you?”