Cage of Deceit(64)

Allyssa automatically raised her hands to try and pry his arm off her neck.

“Focus,” Jarvik said. “He’ll be taller and stronger than you. You’ll have to outsmart him.”

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and thought over everything her father and Marek had taught her. She was unarmed and would have to fight her way out of this. Since Jarvik’s left hand was on her left hip, she moved her body to the right and swung her left arm down to his groin. As soon as he released her, she spun around and rammed her knee into his stomach.

“Excellent,” Jarvik said, his voice high pitched from the impact. She hadn’t meant to hit him that hard. “Now if he comes at you head on,” he said, “you’ll need to do something different.”

He wrapped his hands around her neck, gently touching her with his calloused fingers. Their eyes locked, and Allyssa’s breath caught. He was so close.

“In this case,” she softly said, swallowing, “I’d raise my hands and do this.” She lifted her arms between his and then swung outwards, knocking his hands away from her neck.

He immediately reached forward and grabbed her upper arms, holding them tightly.

She’d never felt self-conscious working with Marek, so why was she embarrassed with Jarvik? Why was she so acutely aware of where his hands were? She felt her face warm and prayed he didn’t notice her reaction to him. She wasn’t a harlot; she was the crown princess and needed to act like it.

“Now what are you going to do?” he asked, his eyes still on hers.

Holding her head high, she attempted to regain her confidence and composure. Reaching forward, Allyssa grabbed Jarvik’s hips, holding him in place while she kneed him in the groin.

“Keep ramming your knee into him until he lets go,” Jarvik said. “Then kick his head, if you can.”

“I know how to properly kick.”

“You need to hit him hard enough to knock him out, without him grabbing your leg or foot. It needs to be clean and quick.”

“I can do that,” she said.

“After you’ve disabled him, run as fast as you can. You have to assume he’ll be after you again after thirty seconds or so.”

“What if he has me locked in the room?” she asked.

“After we’re done practicing here, I’ll teach you how to pick a lock.”

Allyssa laughed. “You are a man of many talents.”

“You have no idea.”



When Allyssa returned to the Royal Chambers, her father and Neco were speaking to Marek, along with a few members of her personal guard in the sitting room.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Go to your bedchamber,” Darmik ordered. “Marek will be with you shortly.”

Her father must still be furious with Prince Odar. She opened her doors and found her ladies-in-waiting standing by the windows, looking outside. Allyssa rushed over to see what they were doing.

In the courtyard below, at least a hundred soldiers stood at attention. A chill ran down Allyssa’s spine. Were these men preparing to leave to defend Emperion’s border? Would Marek be joining them?

Mayra wrapped her arm around Allyssa. “Have you ever seen so many fine-looking young men?” she asked.

Madelin chuckled and moved away from the window. “You can admire the soldiers all you want,” she said. “I’ve found my prince.” She went into the dressing closet. “Do you care what you wear for dinner?” she asked Allyssa.

“No,” Allyssa replied, wishing dinner was already over so she and Jarvik could be on their way to the inn.

“Why are you all sweaty?” Mayra asked, scrunching up her nose.

“I was sparring with Jarvik,” she answered.

The doors flew open and Marek stepped inside, his face flushed and eyes alight. “Your Highness,” he said, bowing. “I must speak with you alone.”

She dismissed her ladies-in-waiting, and Marek came to stand before her. “I heard about Prince Odar not being able to wed you until you travel to Fren and receive the king and queen’s approval.”

“I assume our fathers are upset?”

“They’re livid. They claim the prince deceived them.”

She wondered if her father was having second thoughts about the union   now. However, the contract was signed and she wasn’t sure it could be broken.

Marek continued, “Prince Odar insists it had to be done to determine Emperion’s true intentions.”

That was what Jarvik had told her as well. “Does my father approve of me traveling to Fren with war on the horizon?”

“He says there are no other options and you must go. The emperor wants it done as soon as possible so the marriage ceremony can take place.” Marek knelt on the ground in front of her. “My father doesn’t want me to fight in the war. Your father specifically asked me to remain by your side during your journey to Fren. I’m to coordinate a security team with Jarvik for you and the prince.”