“Of course. What are you trying to tell me?” she asked, sitting down next to him.
“You don’t really know Prince Odar.”
“I realize that. He knows nothing of me either.”
“You need to understand that some things have happened to him in the past to make him extra cautious.” He picked up the horse brush lying on the bench and started fidgeting with it. “He wants to tell you the truth, but he’s not sure how. When he finally gains the confidence to do so, please listen to him and try to understand why he did what he did.” Jarvik was staring at the brush while he talked, not looking at her.
“You’re scaring me,” she said.
“You told me you hoped your friend Grevik understood why you lied to him and that he forgave you.” He peeked up at her.
“What has Prince Odar done?” Allyssa demanded, afraid she’d just signed the marriage contract and was about to tie herself to a man who had done something horrendous.
“He’ll tell you when he’s ready.” He set the brush down and rubbed his hands on his pants again. “Did you know the prince was previously engaged?” Jarvik asked.
“Yes. He said the girl was only after his title.”
The squire nodded. “She wanted to unite her kingdom with Fren’s.”
Much like Allyssa was doing, only she didn’t pretend to love the prince. “Who was the girl?”
“King Drenton of Russek recently married a woman,” Jarvik began. Allyssa had heard rumors the king remarried, but she didn’t know any details beyond that. “The story goes that a beautiful woman showed up at the Russek court with her elderly mother and her gorgeous daughter. The king was quite taken with the woman, and they married a short time later. Her daughter was officially crowned Princess Shelene. The princess visited our court, seeking to marry Prince Odar and align our two kingdoms.”
Allyssa recalled overhearing Prince Odar and Jarvik talking that day in the corridor. The prince had mentioned the name Shelene. Rage started to boil inside of her. “What are you saying?” she asked. “That Princess Shelene was only using Prince Odar to gain access to Fren’s army?”
“Yes.” Jarvik swallowed and peered at her. “When he discovered the plot to seize control of our army in order to invade Emperion, he broke off the engagement.” The squire reached out and took hold of Allyssa’s hand between his two strong, calloused ones.
The prince must have been hurt from Shelene’s betrayal. Did he only come to Emperion with the intention to marry Allyssa to get back at Russek? She opened her mouth to ask when Jarvik squeezed her hand.
“There’s more.” His eyes looked imploringly at her. “Please listen to all I have to say before you become upset.”
She nodded, hoping to keep her temper reined in.
“Because of Prince Odar’s lack of judgment when it came to Princess Shelene, the king and queen of Fren won’t condone a marriage treaty between Fren and Emperion unless they meet you. They want to make sure your intentions are noble and your word good.” He leaned slightly away from Allyssa, as if waiting for her to explode.
“We signed the marriage contract today,” she said. “Prince Odar and I are supposed to marry in two days.”
“Yes, that’s why I’m telling you the marriage can’t take place yet. You must travel to Fren to meet the king and queen.”
Utter shock rolled through her. “My parents are going to kill Prince Odar.” She tried to stand, but the squire kept hold of her. “Our armies can’t join forces until we’re married,” she said furiously.
“It’ll take your soldiers several weeks to reach Russek’s borders. There’s time to travel to Fren. You can even marry there if need be.”
Balling her free hand into a fist, she asked, “Why didn’t Prince Odar say anything sooner?”
“I’m not sure,” Jarvik mumbled. “Perhaps he was still trying to determine your worth.”
“Oh, so now I’m worthy?” she shouted.
Jarvik stared at her, his eyes intense. “Yes,” he whispered. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Her parents were going to be furious. Russek was ready to slaughter her family, and she was doing all she could to keep her kingdom safe. Prince Odar should have disclosed this information before now.
“Allyssa,” the squire said, still holding her hand. “When we came here, we were sure you were just like all the other courtiers we’d met. I never realized you’d be—”
“Ready for our ride?” Prince Odar asked, approaching them, his eyes on Jarvik and Allyssa’s latched hands.