Cage of Deceit (Reign of Secrets Book 1) by Jennifer Anne Davis Page B

home?” she asked.
    “No, that won’t be necessary.”
    “You better be on your way if you want to make it to school on time,” she said.
    After putting on her cloak and pulling the hood up, Allyssa descended the ladder and jumped onto the street, Grevik right behind her. “I don’t need your help,” she told him.
    He didn’t respond. Instead, he stayed by her side. The streets were starting to become crowded with people heading to work. She walked as fast as she could, her stomach queasy with fear. She was going to be in so much trouble.
    “You’re not headed toward your home, and you’re not going in the direction of any school I know of. So tell me, Lilly, where are you running off to, and why do you look like you’re going to be sick?” Grevik demanded, his voice deep.
    “I don’t know what to do,” she finally admitted, trying not to cry.
    “I know,” he said plainly. “Let me help.”
    Her parents were going to be furious, Marek would lose his position as the head of her personal guard, and she’d never be able to step foot out of the castle again. They walked in silence for several moments, a plan beginning to form in her mind.
    “Why are we headed toward the castle?” Grevik asked when they were a block away from it.
    “I … work there,” Allyssa answered, pulling Grevik into an alcove of a building. Not a lie, but not exactly the truth either. “I need you to go to the servants’ entrance located on the east side of the castle wall. Tell the guards you have an urgent message for Mayra.” She hesitated, removing the plain silver ring she wore. On the inside, her full name and the royal family’s crest were inscribed. It was made in case she ever needed to prove her identity, and very few people even knew of its existence. Wrapping the ring in a handkerchief, she handed it to Grevik. “Say you have a gift for her. Once she comes out to the gate, show her this, and bring her here.”
    His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t question her further. He took the handkerchief with the ring and left.
    Allyssa slumped against the door in the alcove, hoping Mayra recognized the ring and came. It was early enough that there was a chance Allyssa could make it back into her room with Mayra’s help. She started pacing, trying to think of the best way for Mayra to sneak her in.
    What was taking Grevik so long? What if Mayra didn’t bother to read the inscription in the ring? What if she thought Grevik had kidnapped her? What if Mayra called the soldiers to arrest him?
    She slouched against the door again, sweating beyond belief. It had been foolish of her to fall asleep like she did. She deserved to be caught for her own stupidity. She heard the faint sound of footsteps running toward her. Sticking her head out of the alcove, she saw Grevik with Mayra and Marek quickly approaching. She stayed where she was so they wouldn’t cause a scene. Fear hit her like a ton of stones. What if Marek told her parents what happened? She’d have to find a way to convince him to keep his mouth shut.
    Mayra burst into the alcove, wrapping Allyssa in a hug. “Are you okay? I was so worried when this guy showed me your ring.”
    “I’m fine. Why did you bring your brother?”
    “In case you needed him,” Mayra answered.
    “No one knows who I am out here,” Allyssa whispered to her friend. “I want to keep it that way.”
    Marek yanked Allyssa out of his sister’s grip. “What’s going on?” he demanded. He had on plain brown pants and a nondescript tunic, blending in with the city folk. “Did he kidnap you?” He pointed to Grevik. “Or is there something going on between the two of you?” He raised his eyebrows, waiting for an explanation that she had no intention of giving him right now.
    “I’d really like to know what’s going on,” Grevik quietly said, his hands resting on his hips.
    “Now is not the time,” she said, pulling free from Marek. “I need to sneak inside before anyone realizes