Page 24 of Sword of Desire
Ackley contemplated this newfound knowledge. Brotherhood. A secret band of warriors who protected the crown, like Knights. And the group had to be all men as the title implied, which would irk Gytha to no end. His smile widened. The Brotherhood could aid him without anyone knowing. A slew of possibilities opened.
Harley
Harley cut her meat, allowing the gravy to spread out, fully covering the note that had been hidden under her food. She tried to keep her hands steady though they shook ever so slightly. With any luck, Lyle hadn’t noticed the piece of paper. She needed to act normal so he wouldn’t suspect anything.
The note instructed her to go to Oriana’s bedchamber tonight at midnight. She’d have to sneak out of her room, go through the antechamber, and out into the hallway without waking Lyle. Since sentries only stood guard at the top of the staircase, she should be able to reach Oriana’s room only a few doors down. She assumed Ackley’s man planned on meeting her there. Or perhaps he’d leave another letter.
“Harley?” Lyle said, startling her.
“Sorry, I was lost in thought,” she mumbled.
“Obviously.” He took a bite of his food, watching her across the table. “What are you thinking about?”
A loaded question she needed to answer carefully. “Do you want me to be honest?” She stabbed another piece of meat, swirling it around her plate to help conceal the note.
“Always. I am your king and husband—I deserve your honesty.”
He deserved nothing. She ate the piece of meat while thinking. Scooping up a potato along with a piece of the soggy paper, she shoved both in her mouth. After she swallowed, she finally looked at him. “I’ve been thinking about how much I miss my brother.” Tears filled her eyes, exemplifying the fact.
His eyes widened infinitesimally, and a sense of satisfaction filled her. The first jab had been made. She awaited his response.
“He wasn’t supposed to die,” Lyle said, a hint of remorse to his voice.
Harley knew he lied. Lyle didn’t care about Hollis, and he wasn’t capable of remorse.
“Owen is all I have left,” she said, pretending to play with her food all the while ensuring the note dissolved. “I don’t want to lose him, too.” Both statements were true. She found it easier than lying to her husband who always seemed to know when she wasn’t being honest with him.
“At least your parents are still alive.” Anger flashed in Lyle’s eyes. “I will make Owen pay for my father’s death.”
She almost burst out laughing at the absurdity of his statement. “Your father’s death is a casualty of war—a war he instigated. That’s what happens when you try to take over another kingdom. My brother, uncle, aunt, and cousins, they didn’t start this. You did.”
Lyle went very still.
She’d said too much, been too forceful with her words. Anger and hurt swelled within, making it difficult to regain control. She wanted to reach across the table and strangle Lyle. Since he was stronger than her, she couldn’t physically hurt him. As Ackley had hinted at during their parting, she would have to kill Lyle at night while he slept. Sneaking into his room with him sleeping in it would be nearly impossible. She’d have to do it while sharing his bed. Even though she wanted to kill him, she didn’t know if she could plunge a sword into his chest.
“You’ve spent too much time with Owen.” Lyle practically spit out Owen’s name. “You need to come with me and see your people firsthand so you’re clear on where your loyalties should lie.”
As if he knew a thing about loyalty. She hated him.
“You should understand what the kingdom was truly like under yourfather. You will see the poverty, disease, and filth. Then you will witness the changes I’m making. The jobs I’m creating, the way I’m helping our people live better lives. They finally have food and shelter—necessities.”
She ignored the jab about her uncle being her father. “I’m sure after the Russek army decimated the land, it’s easy to sweep in and look good to the people.”
Harley wanted to run from the room, but a corner of the paper remained on her plate. She couldn’t leave a trace behind. If a servant found it, it would be shown to Lyle, and he might end up killing her sooner than planned.
Stabbing another potato, she made sure to get the rest of the soggy note, shoving it in her mouth and chewing with far more force than necessary.
“You think I’m the bad guy,” Lyle said, leaning back in his chair. “But I’m not. Your father was the evil one. He was the one destroying this kingdom, not me.”
“Uncle,” she snapped. And how dare Lyle claim he wasn’t the evil one. He’d locked her in closets and belittled her countless times.
“You need to acknowledge Coden was your father.”
She had to do no such thing. “How do you know that?” Even though she saw the letter implying her true parentage, she wanted verification from her mother before publicly acknowledging it.
“Tomorrow you will go with me. Be prepared to leave at sunrise.” He took a long drink from his goblet before shoving his chair back and striding from the room.
* * *
