Page 72 of Sword of Desire
He set her on her feet, examining her. “You appear to be in one piece.”
Owen came over, joining them. “Where’s Harley?”
That was a question Ackley would like answered. “I believe she’s in Losger.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s a long story. Come inside, and we’ll talk.”
“Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like whatever it is you have to say, Ackley?”
“Because people rarely like whatever Ackley says,” Idina teased, taking Owen’s hand and pulling him from the stables. “I’m sure it’s not that bad. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be at your home. If there was a serious problem, Ackley would be off fixing it.” She glanced over her shoulder at her brother. “Am I right?”
He nodded. He’d told himself that if Harley wasn’t here by the time Owen and Idina arrived, he’d go after her.
Thunder rumbled and lightning shot across the sky. A light rain started falling.
Owen led them inside and to an opulent sitting room. Idina flopped on the sofa, seemingly exhausted. Ackley went over to the hearth, starting a fire to warm the space, all the while trying to figure out how to start this conversation.
“Are you okay?” Idina asked when Ackley sat on the chair across from her. “You seem a little tense.”
The rain picked up, now coming down hard.
Most of his soldiers were on those ships. He couldn’t even fathom being on the open ocean during a storm.
“You look like you’re going to be sick,” Owen said, sitting next to Idina. “Why don’t you tell us what’s going on?” He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, looking pointedly at Ackley.
Ackley sighed, about to tell them all that had happened when Lord Silas walked through the doorway.
Silas’s boots were wet, his hair tousled, and his chest rose and fell in quick successions. He quickly scanned the room, then his attention went to Owen.
At that moment, Ackley knew Silas couldn’t be trusted and something was wrong. Not wanting Silas to get too close to Owen, Ackley jumped to his feet, putting himself in front of Owen but trying not to be too obvious about it.
“Lord Silas,” Ackley said. “I’d like to introduce you to King Owen’s wife, the lovely Queen Idina.” He gestured to his sister still sitting on the sofa.
“Where’s Harley?” Silas demanded, his voice hard and unforgiving.
“Uncle.” Owen stood. “Why don’t you join us for some tea? You look like you could use it.”
Ackley gestured to the chair across from Owen, and the old man sat. A moment later, a servant rushed through the door carrying a tray of tea. She set it on the low table, then hurried from the room.
Ackley reached into his pocket.
“I didn’t know you were here at the castle,” Owen said to Silas. “You look well.”
“I’m trying to find Harley,” Silas said. “Is she here?”
“I don’t know,” Owen replied. “We just arrived ourselves.”
Ackley leaned forward, poured a cup of tea, then handed it to his sister. “I plan on looking for her,” Ackley said as he poured a second cup. He handed this one to Owen. “When’s the last time you saw her?”
“I don’t remember,” Silas replied. His hands gripped the armrests harder than necessary.
Ackley poured the third cup of tea, handing this one to Silas. “What about Lyle? Have you seen him? When we all arrived here, everyone was gone.”
Silas took a sip of the steaming tea. “I haven’t seen him.”
“You don’t seem all that surprised to see me,” Owen commented. “Did you know I was alive?”
“I did.” Silas took another sip. “Harley told me.”
“I heard you allowed, encouraged even, Harley to be crowned as the queen of Melenia.” Owen finished his tea, setting his cup on the low table before them.
