Page 59 of Sword of Desire
Relief coursed through him. He hadn’t lost a man. “And once you’ve freed him?”
“I’m going to make sure Owen isn’t killed.”
She had to know about the trap. “I have the feeling you aren’t telling me something.”
“I doubt you’ll approve of what I’m going to do. So, I’m not going to tell you. And I plan to go at it alone.” She spoke with confidence, as if daring him to challenge her.
A moment of uncomfortable silence stretched between them. She reached up, cupping his cheek. “Say something,” she whispered.
He had no choice but to let her go on the mission alone. If he insisted he go with her, then he’d be abandoning his army, his sister, and his friends. It would also indicate he didn’t trust or believe in Harley. As difficult as it was, he had to let her go. “At least let me rescue Rikter.”
A soft laugh escaped her lips. “Okay.” She fumbled for his hand, then placed a piece of iron in it.
“What’s this?” He curled his fingers over it.
“A key that unlocks every door in this castle, even the dungeon and the cells in it.”
That would definitely come in handy. He slid it into his pocket.
“I don’t think you should go in through the main door to the dungeon. There’s a back entrance accessible through the secret passageways. I can tell you how to get there.”
He stood there amazed at how far Harley had come in such a short amount of time. He always thought she had it in her to be a successful Knight; now she was proving to be more than capable.
“After I rescue Rikter, I’m going to meet up with my army.”
“I figured.” She wrapped her arms around him. “Please be careful. While we may think we know what Lyle has planned, he’s already proven he is a step ahead of us. His plans could be fake ones. By trying to circumvent a trap, we could be walking right into one.”
He held her tightly against him, smelling her hair, feeling her warmth. He didn’t want to let her go. But he couldn’t keep her locked up. “Why do I feel like this is goodbye,” he murmured.
“Because it is—for now. We’ll see each other soon enough.”
A feeling of dread settled in him. He leaned down, gently kissing her.
“We need to get going,” she whispered against his lips.
He knew they needed to part ways. The problem was, he didn’t want to.
“I’ll show you how to get to the dungeon.” She took his hand, pulling him from the dark closet.
Harley crept to the left, down the corridor. At a tapestry, she shoved it aside, revealing a door. Pushing it open, she stepped into the secret passageways.
She lit a torch, then handed it to Ackley. “You’re going to take this corridor fifty feet that way.” She pointed to the left. “When you come to an intersection, go to the right. Just before you reach the dead end, there will be a stairwell to your left. That will take you down to the dungeon. You have the key. You should be able to figure out the rest on your own. To leave, backtrack to where you found me. The exit is at the end of the hall.”
He had a million questions for her.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she said, studying his expression. “Otherwise, I won’t be able to leave you and do what needs to be done.” Tears shone in her eyes. “I’ve been so lonely. I’ve missed you.”
He set the torch in the holder on the wall. “Harley.” He slid his arms around her, pulling her close.
Her body shook as she started crying. “I lost Sword of Rage.”
“What do you mean?” He rubbed her back, trying to soothe her.
“When I tried killing Lyle, he took it from me. I’m so sorry.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I still have its match.” He released her, then withdrew Sword of Desire. “I can’t have you traipsing off on a mission without a weapon.”
“I can’t take it. What if I lose this one, too?”
