Page 33 of Sword of Rage
Rolling her shoulders back, she stood tall and rounded the corner. She handed him his neatly folded clothes. “Thank you for letting me borrow them.”
He raised a single eyebrow as he took the clothes. The simple gesture made her stomach do a little flip. She hated when men knew they were handsome and used it to their advantage. Pretending he had no effect on her, she sat by the fire again. If she were to ever be with another man, it would be someone sensitive, kind, considerate. The opposite of Ackley.
“While we’re waiting for Gytha and Ledger to return,” he said, eyeing her over the fire. “I have a few questions for you.”
She didn’t respond because she owed him nothing. There was no reason to be civil to this man. Especially considering where he’d accidentally touched her.
“Owen is trying to learn the state of the kingdom. What towns Russek has gained control of, where their troops are, that sort of thing. Did you learn anything while in Kreng?”
Surprise washed through her. While she owed Ackley nothing, she did want to help Owen. “I didn’t. Ledger was the one working with the commander in Kreng.” But he hadn’t told her much of what they’d learned. As a woman, she hadn’t thought it her place to question him.
“Hopefully Ledger can convey to Owen any pertinent information.”
She played with the hem of her dress, trying to think if Ledger had once told her anything useful that he’d discovered. He’d said things about keeping Russek away, but not much beyond that. “During the takeover, I did overhear something of importance.” Someone besides her should know, just in case. “There is a traitor. Someone inside the castle aided Russek and helped them get past our defenses.”
“Do you know who it is?”
“No. I only know about him because I overheard him speaking with Prince Soma of Russek. Soma was there to assassinate his stepbrother, Prince Kerdan, who planned the entire invasion. He said once Kerdan was assassinated, the Melenia royal family would be killed. So I warned Kerdan.”
Ackley’s eyes widened in surprise. “You warned the Russek prince?”
Although he’d asked it as a question, it sounded more like an accusation. “Yes. He was the only one keeping my family alive.” She quickly told him all that had happened, starting with the birthday celebration when Kerdan entered, her lighting the signal fire, Kerdan giving her the key before she was attacked and locked up, and ending with her fleeing for her life with Ledger, Milard, and Rayne. She did skimp on the details of her family’s beheading and the attempted rape.
Instead of asking questions as she thought he would do, Ackley withdrew into himself, not speaking. Even when Gytha and Ledger returned with apples, nuts, and berries, he didn’t converse. As Harley ate, she watched him. His keen eyes remained alert, and she got the impression he was working through something.
After they ate, they headed north, traveling all day. When it became clear they wouldn’t arrive at the cove before dark, they set up camp for the night, sleeping under the stars. Harley had a hard time falling asleep, afraid a rat would crawl on her.
The next morning, they set out early. Just before noon, they reached a tunnel that cut straight through a mountain. Ackley explained that the tunnel led to where Owen and the soldiers had set up camp. A handful of sentries stood guard. When they saw Ackley, they immediately granted them passage.
As Harley traveled through the dark tunnel, she could almost feel the mountain pressing down on her and the dampness of the land seeping through.
“It’s not much longer,” Ackley said, as if he’d known she was starting to panic with the thought of being crushed alive or suffocating.
“Is that the exit up ahead?” She could just make out a hint of light.
“It is,” he answered. “Almost there.”
The closer they got to the light, the faster Harley walked. “I want to see Owen right away.”
“Of course,” Ackley said. “I’ll take you straight there.”
Harley stepped out of the tunnel and observed the sight before her. Bright green grass covered the valley; dark green and brown trees blanketed the surrounding mountains. In the middle of it all, hundreds of tan tents stood erect in neat rows. Dozens of soldiers rushed to and fro. Emotion overwhelmed her. Her lip quivered, tears filled her eyes, and joy flared in her heart. Owen was here.
“This way,” Ackley said, gently gripping her elbow. He led her through the camp, heading toward the largest tent with a flag atop it.
When they reached the tent, two sentries in full uniform stood guard. Seeing the familiar crest of the royal family on their chests made her swell with pride. This was her kingdom, and Owen was her cousin. Together, they would seek retribution. Without waiting to be granted entrance, Harley burst inside.
Owen stood at a table, several soldiers surrounding it, all of them studying a map. When Owen glanced up and saw her, he closed his eyes, his shoulders rising and falling in apparent relief. He opened his eyes and ordered everyone out. As the soldiers exited, Harley realized Ackley, Gytha, and Ledger had remained outside the tent.
Finally alone, Harley ran to Owen, throwing her arms around him. He held her tightly, kissing her head. His chest shook, and she realized they were both crying.
Ackley
Ackley watched Harley enter the tent, unable to figure out why the woman made him feel off-kilter. She was beautiful, to be sure. But she was a lady. She probably sat around knitting and drinking tea all day. He almost snorted just thinking about how she reacted when he told her there was a rat near her head. Typical woman. Of course, his body had reacted like a typical man’s. He’d have to make sure that didn’t happen again, which shouldn’t be a problem. He doubted their paths would cross often.
Idina joined him. “I heard you’d arrived.” She looked him over. “You appear to be in one piece and nothing seems to be wrong with your legs.”
He lifted a single eyebrow. “You doubted my ability to fetch a young woman and return here unharmed?” His sister knew what he was capable of since she helped run their network of spies back in Marsden. She’d sent him on missions far more dangerous. There was no need to be concerned now simply because they were in a foreign kingdom.
