Page 23 of Sword of Rage
“Put me down!” she squealed. There was no way Owen would tell someone so brusque to treat her so informally. She pounded against Ackley’s back. How dare he behave this way?
“That’s one way to handle Owen’s pampered cousin,” Gytha said with a chuckle.
Pampered?Harley had been working at the inn and tavern for the past few weeks. She most certainly wasn’t pampered. There was nothing funny about this situation. And to think, Harley had appreciated Gytha’s help only minutes before. Well, she didn’t like the woman anymore. How could she be privy to such outlandish behavior?
Hanging upside down, bouncing as Ackley had the nerve to jog, Harley had no idea which way they were going. She pounded her fists against his back.
“Stop hitting me,” Ackley demanded. “You don’t need to be so difficult. I’m trying to help you. Unless you don’t want to see your cousin?” His voice turned softer, almost accusing at that question.
Letting her arms go slack, she replied, “No, I do wish to see Owen. But as I mentioned previously, I need to tell the soldier who helped me escape what’s going on. I hardly think that’s too much to ask.” Her head began to pound from bouncing upside down.
“I’ve been wondering how you made it here,” Ackley said. “There’s no way you could have managed on your own.”
“Where’s the soldier at?” Gytha asked. “I can go and get him.”
She was about to answer when Ackley came to an abrupt halt. Harley peered around him, trying to see what had caused him to stop.
Gytha withdrew a dagger, stepping in front of Ackley and blocking Harley’s upside-down view.
“Put Lady Harley down,” Ledger’s furious voice demanded.
Ackley chuckled, the sound laced with menace, making the hair on Harley’s arms rise. She wanted to cower. How did her cousin come to know this man? Luckily Ledger was a skilled fighter, trained by the king’s best men. He would be able to best Ackley and free Harley from her current predicament.
“Who are you?” Gytha asked, almost sounding bored.
“That’s none of your business,” Ledger replied, a hint of affront seeping through. “Now don’t make me repeat myself.” The sound of steel sliced through the air.
Realizing that this could turn nasty and someone could get hurt, Harley cried out, “Put your weapons away.” The last thing she needed was to be run through with a sword simply because she was being carried over Ackley’s shoulder. “And set me on my feet so we can discuss this civilly.”
“Maybe I don’t want to be civil,” Ackley said, his voice low and sultry.
Harley shivered. His grip around her thighs tightened, making her heart beat faster.
“I can’t place your accent,” Ledger stated. “Which means you’re not from around here.”
“That is correct,” Ackley said. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we have somewhere to be.”
Knowing Ledger wouldn’t back down, Harley intervened. “Apparently my cousin sent these two to fetch me. The woman, Gytha, just saved me from an unpleasant encounter inside the tavern. They don’t mean me any harm—even though I am being treated atrociously at the moment.”
“Your cousin is here?” Ledger asked, his voice losing its hard edge.
“According to these two individuals.” Perhaps that was why Rayne and Milard hadn’t returned yet. If Owen sent Ackley and Gytha to retrieve her, then when Rayne and Milard showed up, he probably insisted they remain there, assuming Ackley would be successful in his endeavor.
“And you intend to take Lady Harley to King Owen?” Ledger asked.
Harley stilled.King Owen. She wasn’t used to people addressing her cousin that way. The formal title felt odd. All her life, he’d been Prince Owen. With three older siblings, no one ever thought he’d inherit the throne. The role he now had to fill was an enormous undertaking and would require support. She would help him in whatever capacity she could.
“That’s the plan,” Gytha said. “Her cousin asked us to retrieve her. Are you the soldier who’s been helping her?”
“I am,” Ledger replied.
“Then you’re welcome to join us,” Ackley said. “Let’s go. The sooner we’re out of here, the better.” He started walking. Lowering his voice, he said, “Owen won’t be pleased you’re dallying with a common foot soldier.”
“Excuse me?” Harley said, sure she’d heard him wrong.
“It’s obvious the guy’s in love with you. You shouldn’t encourage him.”
Harley patted Ackley’s back. “You can set me down now.” Ledger was not in love with her. They’d simply been through a lot together and had formed a friendship.
