Page 73 of Sword of Desire
“I’ve had a long day,” Silas said. “I think I need to rest.”
“Isn’t it only morning?” Idina asked, taking a sip of her tea.
The rain started pouring, pounding against the windows.
Silas stood; his shoulders hunched forward. “My old bones aren’t what they used to be. I must rest. We’ll talk more later.”
“Tell me,” Ackley said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs, “were you in Losger with Harley?”
Silas swung around to face Ackley. “Is she here?” He now stood tall, no longer hunched forward.
“You didn’t answer my question, so I won’t answer yours.” Ackley winked.
Silas took a step toward Ackley, then he swayed.
“Are you all right?” Ackley asked.
Silas took another step, this time losing his balance and crashing onto the low table, breaking it, and sending the teacups flying.
Idina yelped in surprise and jumped to her feet.
“I…can’t…” Silas wheezed.
“You can’t what?” Ackley asked. “Breathe?” He stood and went over to Silas, crouching next to him. “Maybe that’s because you’re about to die.”
“What did you do?” Idina demanded.
“I laced his tea with poison.” Ackley withdrew the vial from his pocket. “At least, that’s what I think this is.” He’d have to thank Savenek for that.
“Was that necessary?” Idina asked.
“I agree,” Owen said. “We’re all armed. We weren’t in any danger from my elderly uncle.”
“I think there’s more to your uncle than you know.”
Harley barged into the room, breathing heavily. “Silas can’t be trusted!” she yelled. She bent over breathing hard. “Where’s Lyle?”
Owen sprang to his feet, rushing over to her. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Just exhausted from riding and then running in here. I was afraid Silas was going to kill you. I had to stop it.”
“Silas?” Owen asked.
She nodded. “We’ll get to that later. Right now, I have to find Lyle.” She glanced up at Ackley. “Did you kill him?” She pointed at Silas’s body.
“I did.”
She righted herself and smiled. “Thank you.” Then she reached under her cape and withdrew a sword. “I believe this is yours.” She extended Sword of Rage.
A smile lit up his face. “She’s a thing of beauty.” He winked at Harley, meaning both the sword and the woman before him. “What about its match?”
She removed her cape and twisted, revealing Sword of Desire strapped to her back, right where it should be.
“It looks like you and I have a false king to find.” Ackley leaned down and kissed Harley’s cheek. “Let’s go.”
Harley
Exhaustion consumed Harley. As soon as she’d discovered Silas had taken Lyle and fled Losger, she’d gotten on a horse and tracked them. Well, she’d tried tracking them. Honestly, she had no idea how to do it. Since she assumed they’d be heading back to the royal castle, she went there. It would have been easier if she didn’t have a dozen soldiers chasing after her, trying to guard her.
