Cage of Destiny (Reign of Secrets, Book 3) by Jennifer Anne Davis

Author:Jennifer Anne Davis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: assassin, kingdom, princess, empire, prince, royalty, crown, royal, throne, reign
Publisher: Jennifer Anne Davis

Chapter Fourteen

Sitting atop the horse, again in front of Larek, Allyssa fumed. She was dripping wet, cold, and tired. Up ahead, the other half of their group waited for them. Squinting, she tried to find Odar. None of the horses carried more than one rider. Two of the horses didn’t have anyone at all. Her breath caught. Hopefully Odar was okay.

As they neared, one of the men’s shoulders slumped forward. It had to be Odar.

“All good, Larek?” the leader asked.

“We threw them off our trail, split them up, and then disposed of them.”

Allyssa’s body stiffened. “You disposed of them?” she said. “What does that mean?

The leader responded, “Good. We killed those pursuing us as well.”

Horror filled her. That was why two of the horses didn’t have riders and Odar sat alone. They’d lost three men. Three.

“What happened to her?” someone asked.

“The princess took a tumble in the stream.”

She did not fall. Larek had pushed her in.

“The village we’re supposed to meet Zerek in is ten miles from here. We can’t reach it before nightfall.” The sky had already started to turn dark.

“Let’s hunker down for the night. We’ll leave at first light,” Larek suggested.

Lovely. Another night with these men. Larek unclasped his cloak and wrapped it around her. A small, but much welcome, comfort in this hostile land.

***

Dozens of Russek soldiers surrounded the small village of Henec. “Is that normal?” Allyssa asked, suspecting it wasn’t. She squinted in the bright morning light, thankful it wasn’t raining.

“No,” Larek said, following close behind the leader.

There couldn’t be more than fifty small wooden structures situated haphazardly with no clear organization to them. If there were any stores, they weren’t marked with a sign.

Allyssa shivered at the eerie silence of the place. “Where are all the people?”

“They’re probably dead,” Larek whispered.

“What do you mean?” Surely these barbaric Russeks wouldn’t kill their own people. What would be the point? Larek didn’t respond.

The leader stopped before one of the buildings and dismounted. “Wait here,” he instructed before entering.

An odd smell permeated the air. Glancing around, Allyssa saw a mound of smoldering ashes down one of the crooked streets. Revulsion filled her.

“They were probably loyal to Prince Kerdan,” Larek whispered. “Queen Jana must dispose of those who oppose her regime.”

“By slaughtering her own people like pigs?” she replied. Who could do such a cruel thing?

“These aren’t her own people,” Odar pointed out. “Jana is from Emperion. Haven’t you ever wondered why hatred for your kingdom is so prevalent here?”

She felt Larek’s arm, which was around her, stiffen at Odar’s remarks. Was that how Russeks truly felt? That Jana represented Emperion? That Jana was Emperion? Allyssa was about to try to explain that Emperions despised Jana as well when the leader returned.

“Bring the prisoners inside,” he ordered.

Allyssa dismounted and Larek took hold of her arm, leading her inside the dilapidated building. She entered a dimly lit room with a round table that had been shoved into one of the corners. A tall, imposing man rose from the chair, staring at her.

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