Page 1 of Sword of Rage
Harley
The door to the bedchamber swung open. Harley pretended to remain focused on the vanity mirror while surreptitiously watching Lyle’s reflection as he rushed into the room. He would be irritated she wasn’t ready for the party. Harley quickly looped another curl of her long blonde hair on top of her head, pinning it in place, trying to act as serene as possible with him in the room. Lyle stopped a few feet behind her, his eyes narrowing. The hairs on the back of her neck rose, and she had to force herself not to shiver. “By the time you change out of your captain’s uniform, I’ll be ready,” she assured him. Her hands started to shake so she shoved them in her lap, thankful her voice remained sweet and steady, not revealing her true emotions.
“I won’t be changing.” His fingers slowly curled around the hilt of the sword strapped to his waist.
The king and queen would never approve of her husband arriving in his captain’s uniform. “I thought my uncle asked no one don military attire this evening?” She prayed Lyle didn’t take offense to her reminding him of that, otherwise she’d suffer for it tonight. However, she didn’t want him to be humiliated by her uncle. If that happened, Lyle would find a way to make her pay for his embarrassment tenfold.
“The king asked me to oversee the castle’s main gate. Far more people than expected are arriving.”
She adjusted one of her curls, carefully watching her husband in the mirror, praying he didn’t notice the relief she felt at him not hovering over her all night. Maybe that was why her uncle had asked Lyle to man the gate. Neither he nor the queen were particularly fond of him. The corners of her lips rose as she fought a smile. Not even she cared for him. “I’m surprised you’re working tonight since you were on duty all day.”
Lyle finally looked away from her. Harley sucked in a breath of fresh air, thankful she’d have a respite and could celebrate her cousin’s birthday without having to constantly worry about what she said and did.
“So am I,” he mumbled as he surveyed the room, probably to ensure they were alone. When they arrived yesterday, he’d immediately dismissed the lady’s maid that had been assigned to Harley, claiming he didn’t want anyone snooping around their room. Even back home, he refused to allow servants in their house.
As he walked across the room, Harley noticed his stiff shoulders and twitchy movements. Something had to be bothering him. “I’ll miss you this evening.” The words felt like cow dung to say; however, she needed to placate him.
At the window, Lyle let go of his sword and shifted the curtain, peering outside. “Since my father is still gone, the king is short men.” His words were clipped, indicating he was irritated. “King Coden insisted I stay an extra fortnight with my unit until Commander Beck returns.”
Harley tried not to shiver at the mere mention of Commander Beck. She’d never liked Lyle’s father. The few times she’d been around him, he’d been too friendly, placing his beefy hand on her shoulder, waist, or even her cheek. She made sure to never be alone with him. Thankfully, he’d left Melenia right after she and Lyle wed. The commander had accompanied Prince Owen to the kingdom of Marsden, taking a significant number of the king’s soldiers with him. She wished he’d fall off the ship during the voyage home and drown.
Lyle released the curtain, then turned to face her. “His Majesty insisted you stay as well.”
Glancing at her reflection, she made sure her face didn’t reveal anything other than that of a doting wife. Once she was certain she appeared meek and mild, she asked, “If you remain here, who will protect our province?” Not that she cared. She’d simply asked the question so Lyle would know she was paying attention to him. If she didn’t ask questions or engage often enough, he would assume something was wrong and keep a closer eye on her. The last thing she wanted was to draw attention to herself.
“You don’t need to be concerned with such things.”
Of course not. She was only a woman after all. Reining in her irritation, Harley gracefully stood from the chair, fixing the folds of her sky-blue dress. The one and only benefit of marrying Lyle had been him being granted the position of captain, in charge of the soldiers stationed in Penlar, the province her parents oversaw. She hadn’t wanted to leave the safety of her family home, let alone the countryside where she grew up. Still, she would have preferred to marry someone she enjoyed being around, someone kind and engaging—even if it meant leaving Penlar.
“The party has already started,” Lyle said, extending his arm for her to take. “I’ll escort you to the great hall before going on duty.”
Even though they’d arrived at the royal family’s castle yesterday, she had yet to see her uncle or aunt, the king and queen of Melenia. She hadn’t even seen her cousins. It had been a few months since she’d spent any time here.
Sucking in her breath, Harley slid her hand on Lyle’s arm, trying not to flinch. She loathed touching him. He led her from the bedchamber. Growing up, she’d always known her parents would choose who she married. On the surface, Lyle was handsome to be sure. He wore his blond hair in the typical military style, cut short on the sides with the top slightly longer and neatly combed back. His brown eyes matched the color of damp soil after a light rain. At the age of twenty-seven, he’d already earned the position as a captain in the Melenia army—one of only eight. Of course, his father was the commander of the king’s army. But she’d seen Lyle wield a sword. He fought with a ruthless abandon that helped when training soldiers or dealing with uprisings throughout the province.
Since they’d only been married a couple of months, they didn’t have any children. As much as Harley wanted to be a mother, she didn’t intend to have children with Lyle any time soon—not that she had a say in the matter, but she wasn’t ready. Harley shook her head, banishing all thoughts of that right now. It was her cousin’s birthday, and she wished to celebrate with her. Since Harley was only two years younger than Oriana, Harley had spent every summer at the royal castle, serving as a playmate for the princess. Which meant she knew this place inside and out, like a second home.
At the end of the hallway, Lyle pulled her to a stop, squeezing her hand. “I need you to do something for me.” He opened the door on the left, revealing a storage closet. “Wait in there until I return.” He shoved her inside, then closed the door.
“I’m going to be late,” she said, confusion rising within her. “My uncle will wonder where I am.”
“I won’t be long.” There was a jingling noise and then a solidthunkas the lock slid into place.
With a shaking hand, Harley reached for the handle. It wouldn’t budge. “Lyle?” Footsteps sounded as he left her there. “Lyle!” she repeated, this time louder. People were expecting her. The entire purpose of her trip to the royal castle was for the celebration this evening. She couldn’t miss it because her husband decided to lock her in a closet. They weren’t at home where he could do such things with no one knowing. Her uncle would notice her absence and send someone looking for her.
Tired of obeying Lyle’s every command, she banged on the door, seething with anger. This was not how she pictured married life would be. Most days, she remained at home with nothing to do. Lyle didn’t want her wandering the countryside while he was out working with his soldiers. Her parents had explained the importance of listening to her husband, whether she agreed with him or not. Since they were married, he owned her. Her dowry had been substantial, and she’d had several suitors. Her parents, Lord Silas and Lady Mayle, considered what each man had to offer before choosing the most advantageous match for their only daughter. Things like companionship, love, and compatibility had nothing to do with it.
“Who’s in there?” a male voice demanded from the other side of the door.
“Hollis? Is that you?”
“Harley?” her brother asked, jostling the door handle. “Hang on.”
Something clanked against the handle, then the door swung open. “I always wanted to do that,” he said, holding his sword in one hand and the broken handle in the other. “What are you doing in there? The party already started.”
Defiance and frustration filled her. “Lyle locked me in here,” she blurted before thinking better of it. “He told me to wait here for him.” Tears threatened. This would not end well.
Hollis’s eyes darkened. “He locked you in this closet?” She nodded. He tossed the handle to the floor, then sheathed his sword. “Come on out.”
