Page 34 of Sword of Rage
“I’m trying to figure out why you’re standing outside of Owen’s tent instead of coming to see me.” Folding her arms, she tapped her foot in agitation.
He smiled. “I was going to find you after I finished here.” Once he spoke to Owen. Which reminded him that Ledger and Gytha were with him and he hadn’t bothered with introductions. But Ledger was only a soldier and once he gave his report, he’d be absorbed into the army.
“Is Owen’s cousin in there with him right now?” Idina asked, pointing at the tent.
“She is.”
“Excellent. I’m eager to meet her.” Idina pushed the flap aside and hurried into the tent.
He was about to tell her to wait since he didn’t know how the reunion was going, but Idina rushed in before he could stop her. Not only had Harley been through a terrible ordeal at the castle during the takeover, but she hadn’t had an easy go of it since. Owen probably wanted to know everything, and Ackley thought the two of them should have some time alone to discuss the details. Plus, Harley looked like a total disaster at the moment. Since she’d fallen into the ocean, her hair was a tangled mess. She also had soot on her face from sleeping in the burned village. The ugly brown commoner dress didn’t help matters either. Which was why Ackley didn’t understand his physical attraction to her given her current state. But it didn’t matter—she wasn’t his type, and he had no intention of tying himself to another person. Ever. He enjoyed his freedom.
Mumbled voices came from inside the tent. A moment later, Idina opened the flap and waved the three of them inside.
“We have a lot to discuss,” Owen said by way of greeting, his arm wrapped around Harley. “First, I want to thank Ledger for aiding in my cousin’s escape. Your father was a good man and will be missed.”
Ledger bowed his head, his chest heaving up and down. Hopefully, Ledger would channel that hurt and devastation into being battle ready. The more soldiers they had in the right frame of mind, the better.
“Ledger, if you and Captain Gytha would get my generals, I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Ledger bowed, then left the tent with Gytha following close behind.
“Your Majestysounds like your father,” Harley said.
“I agree. I hope I can be half the leader he was.”
“I have no doubt you’ll be that and more.”
Owen squeezed his cousin. “Now that it’s just the four of us, there are a few things you need to know before the others join us.” Owen released Harley, looking her square in the face. “Besides my being engaged to Princess Idina, you need to know that your father-in-law betrayed us. He tried to assassinate me and was killed for it.”
Ackley blinked, understanding but not truly believing what he’d just heard. “Commander Beck is Lady Harley’s father-in-law?” He wanted to be certain.
“Yes,” Owen answered. “Though I never liked the guy.” He shrugged sheepishly. “Sorry, Harley.”
She shook her head. “I never cared for him either.” Her attention went to her hands now clasped together.
The news rattled Ackley. Commander Beck had been instrumental in trying to take over Marsden. He was a devious man who deserved to die. But that wasn’t what had him so shaken. It was the father-in-law part. That meant Harley was married. He rarely made errors in his judgment of others, and he didn’t know how he could have been so wrong about this young woman before him. “Where’s your husband?” he inquired. Had her husband traveled to Marsden along with Commander Beck? Did she have children? He wiped his hand off against his thigh—the hand that had accidentally grabbed her arse.
“Dead,” Harley answered. The corners of her lips rose slightly. “Lyle died during the takeover. I am a widow.”
“I’m so sorry,” Idina said, her voice soft and comforting.
Harley’s eyes hardened. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. It was an arranged marriage, and I didn’t particularly care for Lyle. He was his father’s son.”
Her words hung heavy in the air. Harley had not only been through a bloody takeover, but she’d lost her husband. And her husband had been a man she didn’t care for. Another reason Ackley refused to wed—he didn’t want to be forced to marry someone he didn’t love strictly for political gains. If that were the case, he would only despise the woman for tying him down.
“Regardless,” Idina said, “Prince Ackley and I offer our condolences.”
Harley’s face paled. “PrinceAckley?” She glanced at him, her eyes widening in horror.
“Yes, I’m here with my brother. I thought you knew that was Ackley?” Idina waved a hand in his direction, annoyance written across her face. And a promise to yell at him later for this. He withheld his amusement for self-preservation.
Harley shook her head. “Forgive me. I was not aware I traveled with a prince since neither he nor his companion identified him as one.” She looked at Owen, as if pleading for help.
Ackley wasn’t one of those stuffy royals who insisted on formality. Still, he knew how strange it was for someone in his position to go off on a clandestine assignment. Of course, that was what Owen had been doing in Marsden, so maybe it wasn’t all that unusual for a son who wasn’t first or second in line for the throne to do such things. He shrugged. Being a prince was simply a title; it didn’t define who he was.
Ledger and Gytha entered the tent with a handful of soldiers who must be Owen’s newly appointed generals. At least Owen had started to surround himself with people he trusted and who could help him. Ackley took note of each man, wanting to speak with them privately later in order to assess each one.
“I’ll go now that your generals are here,” Harley said.
