Page 58 of Sword of Desire
“Who’s going to help him? All the soldiers who traveled with him are in Losger.”
“What about the Marsdens?”
“That’s why my soldiers here are preparing to head north. If the Marsden army tries to help Owen, my men will circle in behind them, effectively surrounding them. They’ll all die. All seven hundred of them.”
Ackley stepped away from the room, turning down the adjacent hallway. He needed to think. Everything seemed to be unraveling. Owen was walking into a trap, and Ackley’s army was going to be slaughtered like pigs if they went to Losger.
Time was of the essence. Even though Lyle claimed he had someone watching Galvin, Ackley had to find him. He needed Galvin to stop Owen from going to Losger.
Not seeing anyone in the next hallway, Ackley slunk along the corridor, making his way toward one of the side exits. He passed the kitchen and library. Both were eerily empty.
If Ackley had learned one thing during this past year, it was to never underestimate those seeking or clinging to power. Lyle had managed to take the throne by force and therefore, couldn’t be discounted as reckless. If there weren’t guards on duty, there had to be a reason. Considering that Lyle had managed to flush Rikter out, Ackley knew he needed to be more careful.
Instead of taking the side door as planned, he entered the servants’ passageways. He doubled back and headed toward the other end of the castle. Something felt off. Usually, Ackley never doubted his abilities or what he had planned. However, tonight he hesitated. Not wanting to discount his gut, he decided to find another way out and seek Galvin immediately.
He hadn’t been in the south end of the castle before. He knew there was an exit nearby since he’d seen it from the outside. A single soldier stood guard granting people entrance. Since Ackley was exiting, he doubted the soldier would look too closely at him. And if he did, Ackley would have to dispose of him.
A sound came from the corridor to his right. He paused, listening. The sound stopped, but he heard someone breathing about eight feet away. Sliding his dagger from his sleeve, he crept toward the sound. If someone was tracking him, he needed to kill that person so his movements couldn’t be reported.
A shadow shifted. He lifted his arm, prepared to throw his weapon.
There was a softthumpfollowed by a whispered curse.
Taking a step back, he melted into the shadows. “Who’s there?” he demanded, his dagger still poised and ready to strike.
“Ackley?” Harley whispered.
Someone had to be playing a cruel joke on him.
Harley peered around the corner. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her eyes wide. She reached out, gently touching Ackley’s arm as if to make sure he was real.
Her touch practically undid him. “I came to check on you,” he whispered, sheathing his dagger, and pulling her toward him. Even her smell unraveled him further.
“I thought I saw you earlier.” She slid her arms around his waist, hugging him. “Is Owen here with you?”
He shook his head, holding her against him. They couldn’t stand in a hallway having a conversation—it was too dangerous. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk.”
Taking his hand, she led him to a door ten feet away. She opened it, pulling him inside a small storage closet. When she closed the door, darkness engulfed them. He wanted to see her face so he could read her expressions which usually revealed so much of what she was thinking and feeling.
“You’re here for me?” she asked, her voice a whisper. Her fingers trailed up his arms, sending a shiver through him.
He reached forward, grabbing her hips, and yanking her body against his. His hands slid up her back, over her shoulders, to her face, her lips. He lowered his head, kissing her. She tasted the same as he remembered. Her hands wound in his hair, holding him against her. She moaned in his mouth.
If she’d been wearing a dress, he would have pulled it up so he could caress her soft skin. However, she had pants on so he couldn’t feel her smooth curves. It was probably better this way since now was not the time, and here was definitely not the place. He pulled away. “I’ve missed you.” His fingers lightly traced over her face. The swell of her cheeks hinted at a smile on her lips. He rested his forehead against hers. “Harley,” he said her name with a caress, hoping to convey his own emotions. “Are you okay?” So much had happened since the last time they saw each other.
“Yes. I’m actually in the process of escaping. I have a plan.”
“You have a plan?” he repeated, trying to think clearly with her this close to him.
“Yes.”
“Tell me what it is.”
“First, I’m going to the dungeon to rescue Rikter.”
He blinked; surely, he’d heard her wrong. “My Knight, Rikter?”
“Yes. He’s been imprisoned.”
