Cage of Deceit(62)

Yanking her fingers out of Jarvik’s grip, she abruptly stood. “Yes.”

The prince held a small basket, which he took to his horse and slid inside the saddlebag.

Turning to face the squire, Allyssa said, “I suggest you speak to my father immediately. When I return, I’ll discuss the matter with him.”



“Follow me,” Allyssa said to the prince as they rode into the woods. The leaves on the trees softly rustled in the light breeze. She breathed in the warm air, reveling in the freedom of being outside the castle. A handful of the prince’s soldiers, along with her usual guards, rode close behind them.

Allyssa steered her horse up a small rise between the towering trees. When she reached the river that ran down past the city, she followed it upstream for about a mile until she came to a small, rocky hill. Most of the boulders were covered with soft, green moss and various plants grew between the rocks where dirt had deposited.

Allyssa dismounted and handed her reins to one of the guards, Prince Odar doing the same.

“I thought we could rest here,” she said.

One of the guards spread a blanket out on the ground while the rest set up a perimeter about fifteen feet away.

“Wow,” Prince Odar exclaimed as he pulled out a small basket from his saddlebag. He sat on the blanket. “It’s beautiful here.”

“We need to talk,” Allyssa said as she sat on the blanket next to him.

“I gathered that.” Prince Odar set the basket between them. “What did my squire say to you?”

“He told me about how I have to go to Fren to seek the king and queen’s approval before we can marry.” She sat there, staring at the trees, wondering if Jarvik was speaking to her father at this very moment. “My parents are going to be livid the marriage can’t take place as planned.”

“Are you mad?” Odar asked, fidgeting with the handle on the basket.

She sighed. “I understand why your parents want to meet me before we wed. Jarvik explained what happened in the past with Princess Shelene, and I can see why they are cautious. I just wished you’d been honest with me from the start.”

He didn’t respond.

Allyssa peeked at him. “Did the princess ever say why Russek wanted to invade Emperion?”

Prince Odar scratched his head. “No. But after the marriage negotiations were severed, she started screaming that she would have her revenge—just like her mother.” He lifted the basket on top of his lap. “Did Jarvik tell you why she wanted to marry me?”

“He said she wanted to gain control of Fren’s army.”

“Yes, and she planned on joining Fren’s soldiers with Russek’s in order to conquer Emperion.”

“Which Russek is doing anyway,” Allyssa said, “even without your soldiers.”

“Maybe that’s why Russek invaded Melenia—to gain more soldiers.”

Allyssa feared they were overlooking something. After all these years, Russek wouldn’t suddenly decide to wage war on Emperion for no reason.

“Enough about politics,” Prince Odar said, opening the lid of the basket. “I have something for you.”

It irritated her that every time she tried discussing their countries and things that mattered, he changed the subject. Did he not care? Did Jarvik handle these issues for him?

Odar withdrew a pastry. “This is for you.”

It was her favorite—an apple tart flipped upside down, covered with gooey butter and sugar. “You remembered,” she said, taking a bite. It was utterly delicious. “Thank you.”

As they sat there, eating in comfortable silence, her thoughts drifted to Grevik. Where was he and what was he enduring right now at the hands of the assassin? When she returned to the castle, she needed to find Jarvik to see if he’d come up with a plan to save her friend yet. As soon as Grevik was rescued, she could go to Fren to seek the king and queen’s approval and then save Emperion.

“You seem overly distracted,” Odar said, patting her leg.

“I’m sorry,” she replied. “There’s a lot on my mind.” She smiled at him.

He finished eating his pastry, licking his fingers clean.

“Do you have any concerns about ruling the kingdom with me?” she asked. She questioned his ability to do so effectively. At least they had a few years until they became emperor and empress—unless something happened to her parents. She couldn’t even think about that.

“I can easily navigate through the court,” he said, smirking. “I’ve never had a problem charming courtiers.” He flashed a half grin at her.

Allyssa had no doubt the ladies of her court would fawn all over him. She’d have to use that to her advantage.