Page 70 of Sword of Desire
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She slid off her horse, rushing over to her husband. “Were you stung by something?” She reached down, picking up Sword of Desire. She made sure to twist the hilt in her gloves, wiping the rest of the poison off as she pretended to inspect it.
“Queen Harley,” the captain said, “can I see the weapon in question?”
“Of course.” She handed the sword to him, then pulled off her gloves, tucking them into the waistband of her pants.
“Arrest the queen,” Lyle demanded.
The soldiers closest to her looked at one another, unsure what to do.
“What for?” Harley asked.
“For treason. This isn’t the first time she’s tried to harm me. She tried killing me with this other sword as well.”
Harley’s brows drew together. “Why would I kill my own husband? Are you not feeling well?” Tears welled in her eyes.
“There’s nothing wrong with this sword,” the captain who’d been inspecting it said. He handed it back to Harley.
She slid it in its sheath still on her back. “Maybe it’s his own sword there’s a problem with? Let’s look at it.”
Two soldiers had to help Lyle dismount since he no longer had use of his hands. Lyle’s arms hung limp at his sides, his face contorted in a mixture of pain and fury.
Harley reached forward and unsheathed Sword of Rage, then inspected it. “This sword looks fine as well. I really think something must have stung him. Let’s get him inside.”
“I’m fine,” he ground out.
“I don’t think so. You and you,” Harley pointed at two soldiers, “escort King Lyle inside immediately. Let’s have a healer inspect him.”
“You did this,” he said to Harley.
“It hurts me that you would say something so mean and cruel.” She gave her horse to one of the nearby soldiers so she could accompany her husband into the castle. The last thing she wanted was to leave him alone with his soldiers. She didn’t know what he’d say or do. It was best for her to stay at his side so she could monitor him.
Inside, they escorted him to the room on the third level where she’d stayed last night. The two soldiers helped Lyle to the makeshift bed.
“Thank you for your assistance. One of you remain in here with me, the other get a healer.”
“Your Majesty, we don’t have a healer,” one of the guards said.
She’d suspected as much. “Very well. Both of you can remain here with me.” The soldiers stood guard near the entrance to the room.
This was one of the few rooms that had four intact walls and a ceiling. Harley went over to the rickety straw mattress to check on Lyle.
If his eyes could shoot daggers at her, they would have. Harley tried to ignore the hatred seeping from him as she sat next to him on the bed. “Let me see your hands. I’m going to inspect them for a bite or puncture wound.”
“Like hell you are. You did this to me. It stings like hell.”
“I love you.” She leaned forward, kissing his forehead, and whispered so neither guard could hear, “I know how painful it is. I experienced the same thing the night Ledger brought me to the royal castle for you.” She leaned back.
He flung his body up, trying to smash his head against hers.
Harley yelped and fell off the bed. Both guards rushed forward.
“Queen Harley, are you okay?” The one guard helped her to her feet.
Tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t understand why my husband is being so cruel. He tried to hurt me.”
The soldiers looked at one another.
“What is it?” she asked.
