Page 24 of Sword of Rage
“We need to move quickly before the watchmen catch up with us.”
“I’m perfectly capable of walking.” She wasn’t an imbecile.
Ackley swung her upright, setting her on her feet. “All I’m saying is that if you were my sister, I wouldn’t approve. I think I know Owen well enough to know he’ll probably want to end that guy for taking your innocence.”
Harley had known Ackley for less than an hour, and already she couldn’t stand him. Furious, she took a step closer, and slapped him.
Ackley
Ackley blinked, momentarily stunned. Harley had slapped him. Not that it hurt—he barely felt it. He just didn’t anticipate her standing up to him. Until that point, he’d thought of her as a weak, timid little thing. Not bold enough to slap a man she’d recently met. Lifting a single eyebrow, he stared down at her, trying to intimidate her. Only, he found his confidence shaken. How couldhepossibly be intimidated byher?
A light blush spread across her cheeks from the cool night air. Her blonde hair stuck out in several directions from him having held her upside down. For a split second, he imagined her legs wrapped around his waist while he ran his hands through her wild hair, enjoying a jaunt in the sack with her. But then he remembered she was Owen’s cousin. And a pampered, entitled, weak woman at that. He just hadn’t expected her to be so attractive. Her eyes narrowed, and her hands balled into fists as her chest rose and fell, fury emanating from her entire body.
Forcing himself to look away from her heaving chest, he met her eyes and said, “That was a very stupid thing you did.”
“Likewise. Don’t ever treat me so disrespectfully again.” She put her hands on her hips. “There is nothing going on between me and Ledger.”
Ackley folded his arms, assessing Harley. While she certainly looked slight at five feet three inches and a hundred and ten pounds, her striking blue eyes hinted at underlying intelligence and something else he couldn’t pinpoint yet.
“Where’s Gytha and Ledger?” she asked.
Sliding his causal demeanor back into place, he glanced behind him. Gytha came lumbering along with Ledger slung over her shoulder. “What happened?”
Gytha rolled her eyes. “He tripped and smacked his head.”
“Is he all right?” Harley asked.
“He’s fine. He’s already starting to rouse.”
Ledger moaned.
Ackley chuckled. “The lout knocked himself out?” He laughed again. “You sure know how to pick them.” He smirked.
“I don’t need this,” Harley stated. “I’ve dealt with enough men like you that I won’t stand for it any longer. You and Gytha can return to Owen. I will remain here with Ledger. Once he is capable of walking, we’ll travel to the cove and meet up with everyone there. For now, it’s best we part ways.”
Idina would chastise him to no end if he didn’t return with Harley. Especially if it was his fault for toying with her. He needed to rectify this situation—quickly. “Lady Harley,” he said in an overly formal voice. “Would you be so kind as to accompany me along this delightful alleyway?” If she wanted fluff and someone who exuded court etiquette, he would give it to her. The last thing he needed was her storming off. And one thing was certain—he would not leave without her.
Her shoulders rose and fell as she took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. “Are you mocking me?” Her voice was crisp and refined.
He smiled. “I would never dream of mocking someone so graceful and lovely as you.” Of course he was making fun of her. She made it way too easy to do so.
“We’re going to have company,” Gytha mumbled, adjusting Ledger on her shoulder. “I hear men shouting not far away.”
In order to exit the city, they needed to make their way to the bottom level. Ackley quickly thought over the path they needed to take. Never in his life had he seen a city built into the side of a cliff like this one. Kreng had to be fifty stories tall with hundreds of staircases and ladders connecting each level. They were currently on the tenth level—where all taverns and inns were located.
Ledger groaned. Good, they needed him awake so he could walk. Having Gytha carry him was not ideal.
“Fifteen feet and closing,” Gytha muttered.
From the sound of the approaching footsteps, Ackley counted four people. One heavier man, two of average weight, and one lighter fellow. Would it be easier to dispose of the four men? Or should they hide and evade them? He glanced sidelong at Harley, trying to figure out how quickly she could run. However, it wouldn’t matter with Ledger semi-unconscious.
Ackley sighed, then stretched his neck from side to side. “The three of you stay here.”
Gytha slid Ledger onto the ground near Harley’s feet. “I don’t get to partake in the fun?”
“Next time. I promise.” He winked before turning to face the four approaching men.
Since the alleyway was dark and narrow, he’d have to be careful not to cause too much of a raucous and rouse the people staying at the nearby inns. While most windows appeared dark, he had no doubt eyes lurked behind some of them. The last thing he wanted was attention. The less people who knew what they were doing and where they were going, the better.
