Page 66 of Sword of Rage
“My man has already requested an official meeting between Prince Kerdan and myself. As a prince, I can do this on my own.”
Without Owen being involved or knowing about it.
He folded the map, tucking it away. “From here on out, we’re going to pretend to be a married couple.” His eyes shone with mischief, as if he knew playing such a part would make her uncomfortable. He raised his right eyebrow, waiting for her to protest.
“Why not brother and sister?”
He leaned in closer, taking a lock of her blonde hair between his fingers and twirling it. “Not as fun.”
“But more appropriate.” She pulled her hair free even though she rather enjoyed the idea of a man flirting with her. Not to mention what that simple touch had done to her insides.
“You of all people know how brutal Russek is. When we step foot in that kingdom, you are my wife. I can’t risk anyone trying to take you, hurt you, or use you. Having you be unmarried is too risky.”
The server set two bowls of oatmeal on the table and left.
Taking a bite, Harley almost believed that Ackley cared for her. However, she was certain Owen had made him promise to bring her back safely. Any commitment to protecting her stemmed from that promise and nothing more. When she swallowed her oatmeal, she had no idea why it felt like thick mud going down her throat, making her stomach sour.
Ackley
Ackley stood there, once again not quite believing what he saw ahead. Crossing from Landania to Russek should have been simple. Easy. He rubbed his face, then looked at Harley. “I’m sorry.”
“Do you think those are more Melenia citizens? Or are they Russek?”
He had no idea what kingdom the severed heads on spikes belonged to.
“If they’re from Melenia, what are they doing all the way out here between Landania and Russek?” Harley asked. “And if they’re Russek, how could their own countrymen do this to them?”
“Let’s not stand here out in the open,” he said. He began walking toward the line. The spikes were about ten feet apart. He aimed so he’d cross in the middle between two, trying to put as much distance as possible between them and death.
Harley reached out, clutching onto his arm. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
Surprise washed through him at the fact that she was touching him. He didn’t think she’d voluntarily do so.
She glanced at her hand on his arm and jerked, suddenly releasing him. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” He needed to get her focus off the severed heads and on him. If he did so, he could get her into Russek without her panicking about her fallen countrymen.
“It was inappropriate for me to touch you so informally.” A slight blush graced her cheeks.
He chuckled. “I washed your feet last night.” He leaned down closer to her ear. “I’ve touched far more intimate parts of your body than your arm.” He hoped his teasing distracted her. The blush on her cheeks deepened, indicating he’d done his job.
She squared her shoulders, composing herself. “Regardless,” she said, her chin slightly raised. “You’re a prince. Someone of my standing should not touch you without invitation.”
He almost burst out laughing. Lowering his voice, he murmured, “So if I asked you to touch me, you would?”
Her eyes widened, and she leaned away from him. “I wasn’t saying that at all!” She quickened her pace so she was walking slightly in front of him. “I’m sorry for implying anything like that.”
She marched straight past the spikes, her hands balled into fists.
Once they’d passed the line, he could feel a change in the air. They were in Russek, land of savage men. Harley slowed, as if sensing the change as well. If Ackley had done his calculations correctly, they had about another mile to walk until they reached the small village where his man was waiting for him.
“Stay beside me.” He didn’t want Harley walking behind him. Not only could he not see if she limped or started to fall behind, but he had this odd compulsion to talk to her. To get to know her better. Which was strange because he didn’t like talking all that much.
“I’ve never done anything dangerous or risky like this before,” she said as she joined him, rubbing her hands together then blowing into them.
The air seemed to turn colder with each step they took. Ackley would have to find them warm cloaks to wear so they wouldn’t freeze. “I think managing to sneak out of the great hall during the invasion constitutes risky behavior. Not to mention being brave enough to light the signal fire and speak to Kerdan.” He tilted his neck to the side, cracking it. While her being the only noble to get out of the castle alive did seem questionable—he didn’t think she had anything to do with, or had any knowledge of, the takeover. Unless she was fooling him.
She laughed, staring up at the sky. “I hardly call that brave. It was simply survival. First, being driven by saving my brother, and then myself. Doing something like this,” she waved her hand between them, “would never have happened before.”
