Page 53 of Sword of Desire
She wanted to tear Lyle’s eyes out. “I understand.”
“Excellent.” He released her and held out his hand for her to take.
She shivered, then slid her hand into his.
“Much better.” Pulling Harley away from the room, he led her back to the staircase where they went up to the fourth level of the castle.
As they approached the open gorge tower, a deep foreboding set in. Once Harley took the oath and was officially crowned, she would be guilty of treason since she knew Owen was the true heir to the throne. If she refused, Lyle might kill her, but he would never have the throne legitimately. However, her goal was to crown Owen and destroy Lyle. The crazy plan she’d concocted last night might just be insane enough to work. Smiling, she followed Lyle onto the open tower, ready to face her fate.
The sun shone bright overhead, not a cloud in the sky. As Harley approached the half wall—the wall where her family had been murdered—she swayed on her feet. Images of her brother being beheaded, his body shoved over the side, and blood everywhere inundated her. Maybe if she hadn’t been so weak from a lack of food and water, she wouldn’t feel as if the floor swayed beneath her.
“Smile,” Lyle purred in her ear. “Or your mother pays the price.”
Standing next to Lyle under the bright, glaring sun, she forced a smile on her lips as she held her head high.
An elderly man dressed in a long tunic stood next to them. He started talking about duty and honor. Harley tuned him out as she gazed at the sight before her. Hundreds of soldiers were crowded together below, watching. She didn’t know if these men liked or supported Lyle, or if they were only following him to protect someone they loved. That was the funny thing about love—it made people do things they may not ordinarily do.
The man set a heavy crown upon Harley’s head. It weighed more than she thought possible.
“Repeat after me,” he said. “I, Lady Harley of Penlar.”
Harley said the words.
“Do hereby solemnly swear to protect the kingdom of Melenia and its citizens.”
Again, Harley repeated what the man said, vowing to make good on the words. She swore to protect her land and her people, and she would stop at nothing to make sure she accomplished those goals.
The man slid a thick gold ring on her finger. It was the ring of a queen, and it had previously belonged to her aunt. The seal of Melenia had been etched on top of it.
“I hereby give you Queen Harley of Melenia!” the man announced.
The soldiers below cheered.
“I officially present King Lyle and Queen Harley!”
The cheering intensified. Lyle took her fingers, raising their joined hands in the air as they faced their subjects below.
Harley had never envisioned being a princess or a queen. The entire ceremony felt surreal to her. She tilted her head and the crown shifted, almost slipping. She had to right her head, being careful the crown didn’t topple off. If it did, Lyle would accuse her of trying to sabotage him.
Lyle’s arm wrapped around her waist. “The ceremony is done. Let’s go inside.”
That was the best thing she’d heard all day.
He led her back into the castle and downstairs to the first level. Instead of entering the dining hall as she’d anticipated, they passed it and went to the library. Tears filled Harley’s eyes. Hunger gripped her. She needed food; otherwise, she feared she’d pass out.
“Don’t worry,” Lyle murmured in her ear. “I’ll have something brought to you.”
“I thought you had a meal planned to celebrate the coronation,” she said as she slid onto the sofa, resting her face against her hands. Her body shook, and her head spun.
“I do.” He moved over to the window and glanced outside. “But I can’t have you looking ill at your first royal function. I thought we’d rest in here for a bit. Then, when you’re feeling better, we’ll head to the dining hall for a meal with my captains.”
Once she got some food in her, she’d feel better. Rubbing her forehead, she knew his thoughtfulness had nothing to do with her well-being. He needed her to play a part and in her current state, she could barely do anything.
The sofa dipped as he sat next to her. He reached out, rubbing her back. She tried not to flinch at his touch. Lyle moved his free hand to her arm.
Feeling trapped, she went to scoot away but someone rushed in. She held still and looked up in time to see a servant set a plate of food and a cup of tea on the low table before scurrying from the room.
“Let’s get some food into you.” Lyle reached forward, grabbing an apple slice.
