Cage of Deceit(43)

Early this morning when they returned to the castle, Jarvik had taken his men and her guards to the barracks—not the infirmary—while Marek escorted her to her bedchamber. It had been early enough that no one was about to question what they were doing. Marek asked her not to say anything about the encounter with the assassin until he had time to think on the matter. She agreed and hadn’t seen Marek since.

“What can I help you with?” Allyssa asked as sweetly as possible since being rude didn’t make Jarvik go away.

“Here’s the deal,” the squire said. “I won’t report last night’s incident to Prince Odar or your father on one condition.”

She groaned. Everyone in this castle wanted something.

Jarvik leaned forward on his elbows. “Have you ever seen the man from last night before?”

The question caught her by surprise. “No, of course not.”

He nodded. “What did he say to you?”

“Not much,” she admitted. “He asked me to meet him in three days’ time at the Wooden Inn. He said he has a proposition for me.”

“Have you spoken to Marek about this?”

“Not yet. What are you getting at?” Did he know something about the assassin?

“You plan on going to meet him, don’t you?” Jarvik asked.

“I’d like to find out what he wants.” However, she didn’t think Marek would let her leave the safety of the castle ever again, especially to meet an assassin.

“Why have you been sneaking out of the castle at night?” he asked, sounding genuinely curious.

She shook her head, unable to explain something so personal to someone she despised.

“I don’t understand you,” he admitted, leaning back on the cushion, studying her. “I hear such different accounts about you that I find you utterly puzzling.”

He’d been asking around about her? Bloke. She felt silly and naïve for knowing nothing about the prince and squire when they’d clearly been digging up information about her. Trying to keep her features calm and collected, she asked, “What have you heard?”

“Everyone seems to love you,” he said, shaking his head as if the thought were absurd. “They say you’re beautiful, kind, and will make a great ruler.”

She chuckled. “What are the contradictions?”

He leaned forward on the table again, his eyes intense. “Whenever you open your mouth around me, you’re nasty and rude. I must conclude that you have one personality for the court, and another side you keep hidden. I wonder who the real Allyssa is?”

Her face paled. She had the desire to hide behind one of the books on the table, shielding herself from him. He’d been more observant than she’d realized.

“And then there’s that little stunt you pulled,” he continued, not taking his eyes off her. “You certainly acted like a true princess in the Throne Room with those soldiers. Even I was impressed.”

Suddenly eager for this conversation to be over, she went to stand.

“Wait,” he said, reaching out and snatching her hand. The gesture caught her off guard, and she froze. “Like I said before, I won’t say anything about what happened last night so long as you let me accompany you when you meet the assassin.”

“He told me to come alone,” she said.

“I’ll remain unseen, I promise.”

She stared at their joined hands. He held tight, waiting for her answer. “Very well,” she said, having no doubt that if she didn’t agree, the squire would march straight to her father and tattle on her. Then she’d have no hope of meeting with the assassin. “You can come.”

He released her hand. “Oh, and one more thing,” he said as he stood. “Prince Odar requests your presence this afternoon.”

“Of course.”

He quickly bowed and exited the alcove, leaving Allyssa standing there feeling like a fool.





Allyssa wanted to kick something. Her mother had insisted she and Prince Odar spend their time together in a highly visible place. So here they sat on a blanket at the base of the water fountain in the middle of the smaller courtyard. She felt as if she were on display for the entire court to see—which was precisely what her mother had intended. It was awkward and awful all rolled up together.

“We finally have some time to ourselves,” Prince Odar said.

They weren’t by any means alone. Her guards stood not far away, along with Jarvik and a handful of Fren soldiers. Whenever she examined the windows overlooking the courtyard, she always saw someone watching.

“Yes,” she said, forcing herself to smile. “At last we have an opportunity to become better acquainted.”