Page 71 of Sword of Desire
“We don’t think it’s safe for you to be so close to the king in his current state.”
Lyle started laughing, the sound cruel. “You’re right,” he said. “She shouldn’t be anywhere near me right now. The second I have use of my hands and arms again, I’m going to kill her.”
Both soldiers looked at her, awaiting her orders. She wiped the tears from her eyes. “He’s my husband,” she murmured. “But I’m the queen, and I have a duty and responsibility to my people.” She stood straighter. “I hereby place King Lyle under arrest for treason. The two of you are my witnesses.”
“I’ll secure his hands and feet together,” the soldier on her right said.
“I can’t even use my hands,” Lyle sneered. “I’ve been poisoned.”
The guards went over to Lyle. One held his legs down while the other secured his ankles together. Then one tied Lyle’s wrists together.
Harley watched Lyle staring at her as all of this happened. She knew he’d do far worse things than kill her if he got the chance.
“I know there is a proper procedure for a situation such as this one,” Harley said. Normally, Lyle would have a chance to speak before the noble families to plead his case. Too bad all the noble families were dead—except hers. And there was no way Lord Silas would side with Harley. He would protect Lyle at all costs.
Now she just needed to find a way to get Lyle to willingly ingest the poison she’d put in the water beside his bed. It was only a matter of time.
She was about to address both guards when a soldier burst into the room.
“Queen Harley!” he shouted far louder than necessary. “There’s a problem. Come quick.”
Those were the last words she wanted to hear right now. Dread filling her, she followed the soldier out of the room. The two of them ran to the second level and down a long corridor.
She recognized this place. “Is it Lord Silas?”
The man nodded and ushered her into a room. Six soldiers stood near the edge.
“Don’t tell me he jumped,” Harley said as she rushed to the edge and peered over the side. All she saw was green grass and a few boulders. “Where is he?”
“He escaped,” one of the soldiers answered. “We’re conducting a search of the castle and perimeter as we speak.”
“All of you, come with me.” Harley exited the room and headed back up to the third level as panic set in.
“What’s the matter?” one of the soldiers called after her.
Lord Silas wouldn’t want to leave his son here at her mercy. She ran faster. When she reached her room, she burst inside only to find her two soldiers on the floor, blood pooling around both their heads, and Lyle nowhere to be seen.
Ackley
Even though the soldiers had left, there were still a handful of servants roaming around the castle. No one dared go near the third level, so that was where Ackley spent most of his time. He went through the queen’s room, Lyle’s room, and several others that must have belonged to the royal family members. He inspected the passageways and made note of things he wanted to discuss with Idina before he left her there.
As promised, it didn’t take long for the Marsden soldiers to arrive. When they did, Ackley immediately had them set up a perimeter, keeping watch for any soldiers from the Melenia army in case they returned. He also sent a handful of his men to Penlar to help escort Owen and Idina to the royal castle. This was the longest he’d ever been away from his sister, and he missed her terribly.
He had his soldiers go through the offices on the first level. To keep his mind from thinking of Harley, Ackley focused on making sure the castle was safe and secure. A few servants questioned him; however, he simply explained how he was there to help Owen who would be arriving shortly.
By the sixth day, Ackley started pacing. He’d expected Harley would have been back by now based upon where he estimated Losger to be. If something had happened to her, he’d never forgive himself for not going there to aid her.
There had been no word of Lyle or the Melenia army either. He contemplated sending some of his men to investigate but decided against it. If Harley still hadn’t returned by the time Owen and Idina arrived, then he’d know something was wrong, and he’d send men to see the state of things.
Ackley had taken to sleeping in one of the guest rooms on the second level. One morning, he woke up to find dark clouds in the sky with the promise of rain. Thunder boomed and lightning flashed across the sky. After dressing, Ackley stood at the window, staring outside, contemplating what all needed to be done. His six hundred and fifty men sitting on those three war ships would need enough food to make the two weeks journey home.
Just thinking about those ships made Ackley’s stomach roll with nausea. He didn’t think he could step foot on one again.
Something outside caught his attention. He squinted, noticing a dozen or so people on horseback near the castle. One of the riders had bright red hair. Ackley took off running.
He bolted outside and sprinted to the stables where he found Idina already off her horse. He grabbed her, swinging her around as he hugged her.
“Brother,” she said. “I see you’ve missed me.”
