Odar and Jarvik had grown up together and were the best of friends—similar to her and Grevik. So much unnecessary pain and suffering, all because of Jana.
“I’m sorry,” she said, wishing she was well enough to go with him. The memory of the arrow sailing through the air and embedding into Jarvik’s back was seared in her mind. It was hard to believe the handsome man she’d thought was Prince Odar had been killed so cruelly. Of course, what Odar and she did to Shelene was no different. She shuddered at the memory of the princess’s throat being stabbed. The blood.
“It’s hard being back at the palace without him.” His eyes glassed over as he turned and left.
A silence filled the room, and Allyssa’s heart began to race.
The servant cleared her throat, startling her. “If you need anything, let me know.” She went over and sat on a chair in the corner of the room. Picking up some fabric, she began sewing.
“What’s your name?” Allyssa asked, needing someone to talk to.
“Becka.”
“Do you live here at the castle?” She appeared to be about thirty-five, so she probably had a husband and children.
Becka smiled. “I’m here to get you whatever you need. However, that is all I’ve been instructed to do.” She resumed her sewing.
“I’m sorry,” Allyssa responded. “I didn’t mean to overstep my place. I simply wanted some company.”
Becka kept sewing, not even looking at her. Most of the servants at the Emperion castle were instructed to blend into the backdrop as well. The only friends she had were her ladies-in-waiting and Marek. People she had grown up with—the children of her parents’ dearest friends. Readjusting her blanket, she closed her eyes.
The healer came around midmorning and examined Allyssa’s ribs, claiming they were healing nicely. When she inspected Allyssa’s arm, she declared that the infection was clearing, and the possibility of amputation had passed. Regardless, the healer ordered her to stay in bed and rest.
By the end of the day, Allyssa wanted to scream. She simply couldn’t remain alone in this room with her thoughts any longer. She needed answers. Had Emperion been invaded? Had Kerdan killed Drenton and stopped the war? Shoving the covers back, she swung her legs over the side of the bed.
“What are you doing?” Becka asked, rushing over and lifting her legs back onto the mattress.
“I’d like to see Prince Odar.” Enough time had passed that he should have spoken to his parents and received the full report on the state of matters throughout the mainland.
“The healer said you are to remain in bed for at least another day.” Becka pulled the covers back up, fussing over her.
“Please send word to the prince. Tell him that I request his presence.”
“Prince Odar is a very busy man. He’ll come to see you when he has the time.”
Servants never spoke to her in such an informal manner. However, this woman had no idea she was a princess. “Will you at least help me to stand?” Becka hesitated. “Please? Remaining in bed is rather boring. I could use the distraction.” Plus, getting out of bed and using her legs would keep her from feeling so helpless.
The servant’s eyebrows drew together. “I suppose standing won’t hurt. But that’s all you can do.” She glanced at the door. “Put your arm around my neck.”
Allyssa did as the woman instructed and stood on shaking legs. While she felt weak, she could stand without any pain in her torso. Relief filled her.
“I think that’s enough for today.” Becka helped her back onto the bed. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’m a little cold.”
She went over to the fire, adding a few more logs and stirring it to life.
The door swung open, and Prince Odar entered. After instructing Becka to wait outside, he asked Allyssa how she was doing.
“Better.”
“You look and sound much improved.” He sat on the bed next to her. “I’m sorry I was gone all day.”
“How did visiting the grave go?”
He sighed. “It was hard.”
When he didn’t elaborate, she reached for his hand. “If you want to talk, I’m here.”
Absently rubbing his thumb over her palm, he said, “I’ve ordered several dresses to be made for you. A seamstress will bring them tomorrow and ensure they fit.”
The change in subject matter caught her off-guard.
“I spoke to my parents and learned some details about the last couple of weeks. Do you want me to tell you?” His focus remained on their hands.
“Of course.”
He ran his free hand through his hair. “The details are sketchy. We know that the king of Russek is dead. Queen Jana is ruling and has claimed Kerdan killed the king, which makes the prince a traitor. No one knows where Kerdan is, and the kingdom is in a state of civil unrest.”
“Do you think he’s been arrested?” If Jana got ahold of him, he would be dead already.
“No. There are rumors he is still controlling a portion of the army. However, Jana has the backing of the noble class who control another portion of the army. There is fighting within the kingdom.”
“We got out just in time.”
“There is more.” Odar cleared his throat and shifted on the bed. “Around the time we escaped, Russek attacked Emperion on your northern border. There were two days of intense fighting before someone gave the order for Russek to withdraw.”
Her ears started ringing. “How many Emperions died?”
“I don’t know the exact number, but it is believed to be several hundred.”
“Who ordered the retreat?” Had Jana wanted the additional protection?
“Kerdan.”
He’d honored their bargain even after they failed to kill Jana?
“He managed to call them back before the news of the king’s death reached them.”
“What about Fren? How many lost?” She prayed Marek, Neco, and her father had not been at the forefront fighting and that they were alive and well. She needed to return home immediately.
“We did not engage in the fighting.”
Because the treaty wasn’t in effect until they married. She balled her hands into fists, and an awkward silence hung between them. “I need to leave.”
“Once you are well enough, I will arrange for a unit of the Fren Army to escort you home.”
Closing her eyes, she tried to control her rising panic and fury. “Surely I am well enough to ride in a carriage?” Instead of lying around here like an invalid while her kingdom mourned hundreds of deaths.
He rubbed his temples. “I will make the necessary arrangements. You will, however, need to meet the king and queen before you leave.”
Their approval was needed for them to marry. “Do you want to have the ceremony before I go?” Would she be returning home alone or with him at her side?
Odar looked down at their joined hands. “Duty will always come first with the two of us, won’t it?”
“Yes.” Very soon, their duties would be the same, allowing them to stand side by side in unity, instead of being divided between their respective kingdoms. Her soldiers had died while Fren stood idly by. Never again.
“You should sleep,” he said, his eyes avoiding hers. He stood and exited the room, leaving her with the strangest sensation that something had changed between them.