Page 22 of Sword of Rage
He took another measured step closer to her. She sucked in a breath, about to scream for help, when she realized he’d moved into the light cast by a nearby window. Momentarily stunned, she stood there staring, unable to look away. The man’s face was more youthful than she’d expected. He had to be only a couple of years older than her. His dark hair hung loose around his angular face, framing his brown eyes. Standing a solid foot above her, he was taller than she’d first realized.
He raised a single eyebrow, awaiting her response.
Unable to utter a single word, she simply shook her head. She’d never been tongue-tied around a man before. What was wrong with her? Of course, she’d never met someone like him—equal parts alluring and dangerous.
“Your name is Harley, isn’t it?”
She nodded.
The man’s face instantaneously softened, and he smiled. “Your cousin, Owen, sent me. Now let’s go and get my friend before she’s hauled off to prison, though that’s why we came into the tavern in the first place. Seems you saved us quite a bit of time. I’m Ackley, by the way. And the woman—her name is Gytha.” Sliding his hands into his pockets, he sauntered toward the barn, not even bothering to see if she followed.
Now that the shock of the man’s beauty had worn off, the news he’d sprung on her made her feel as if she’d stumbled into a frozen pond. Owen sent him? Did that mean her cousin was here in Melenia? She hurried after Ackley who stood at the entrance to the barn.
When she joined him, she saw Gytha’s wrists had been tied together and she was sitting on a bale of hay. The man who’d attacked Harley was similarly situated. The innkeeper presided over both of them.
“I sent one of the stable boys to fetch the watchmen,” the innkeeper said when he noticed Harley.
Before she could respond, Ackley said, “I have what we came here for.”
“That was fast,” Gytha mumbled, eyeing Harley. In the dim light of the barn, the woman looked more warrior than savior. Gytha lifted her arms, the rope dangling from her wrists.
“Hey now,” the innkeeper protested. “How’d you get free?”
“You don’t tie knots very well,” Gytha said, jumping to her feet. She strode toward Ackley. “Let’s get out of here.”
“You created a disturbance in my tavern,” the innkeeper said. “You fought with another patron.”
“She did nothing wrong,” Harley stated. “She only helped me when no one else would. You will let her go.”
“I can’t do that,” he responded, folding his arms in protest. “The law is the law.”
Ackley sighed. “Fine.” Quick as lightning, he spun and kicked the innkeeper’s head, knocking him to the ground.
Harley yelped in surprise. “What did you do that for?” Kneeling next to the innkeeper, she checked to see if he was still breathing. His chest rose and fell. He was alive.
“Let’s go,” Ackley said. “We don’t have any time to waste.”
Harley stood and observed Ackley and Gytha. They both had dark hair indicating they weren’t from this kingdom. So who were they, and why had Owen sent them instead of a fellow Melenian to retrieve her?
As if sensing her confusion, Ackley told her, “I’ll answer all your questions on our way.” Then he grabbed her wrist and pulled her from the barn.
Out in the alley, Harley struggled to break free.
“I’m sorry,” Ackley said, releasing her. “I just didn’t want you to say Owen’s name in front of anyone.” His brows pinched together as he watched her, making her feel oddly exposed before him.
She rubbed her wrists, attempting to ignore the memory of the soldier who’d tried raping her. And Lyle. Oftentimes he held her wrists together so she couldn’t push him away.
“We need to get moving,” Gytha said. “The watchmen will be here shortly.”
“I can’t leave.” Not after everything Ledger had done for her. If she disappeared, he’d be worried sick. Plus, he was a Melenia soldier. They needed to stick together.
“I promised Owen I would find you.” Ackley kept scanning the alleyway, as if he expected Russek soldiers would descend upon them at any moment.
She folded her arms and raised her chin in the air. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t go with you. I simply said that I can’t leave right this minute. There’s someone I need to speak with before we go.”
“The innkeeper is starting to rouse,” Gytha said, sounding irritated. “We don’t have time for this.”
Ackley groaned. “Just so you know, Owen insisted I treat you like my own sister.” He reached down, slinging an arm around Harley’s waist, then flinging her over his shoulder as if she were a sack of flour.
