Harley had to conceal the smile from her face. Owen and Ackley were alive.
“How is that possible?” Lyle snarled.
“I don’t know, Your Majesty. They’re all dead, so we couldn’t question them.”
Lyle swung around to face the messenger. “Get out!”
“If Owen is alive,” Harley said, trying to keep a straight face, “then I’m not the queen, which means you’re not the king—Owen is.”
“I’m the king.”
She tried to keep her focus on Lyle, afraid to look down and see Ledger’s body lying in a pool of blood. “Of course you’re the king. You’re the one in the castle commanding the soldiers.”
His eyes narrowed.
“I’m sure all the neighboring kingdoms will support you. What can Owen do?”
“I want him dead.”
“He’s my cousin.”
“I’m your king and husband.”
She hated him. “Of course. I will support you in any way I can.”
This entire time, Owen had been trying to get information about the false king. He’d wanted to know who he was, where he was, and what he intended to do. Now, Harley was inside the castle, privy to that information. She could report what she learned back to Owen. Not only that, but if she could discover the location of the soldiers’ loved ones, she could free them. Once they were freed, the Melenia soldiers could support Owen again. With the might of the army behind him, he could retake his throne.
Ledger, the man who’d infiltrated Owen’s army, learned their secrets, and reported back to Lyle, had unknowingly brought a spy and assassin into the castle. For that was what Harley decided to become.
Ackley’s words came back to her. He’d asked her which assassin was more dangerous. The one who snuck into the castle to assassinate the king, or the woman sleeping beside the king at night. He’d given her his sword and showed her where to make the killing blow.
Right then and there, Harley swore to avenge her brother’s death.
Then she would avenge the royal family.
She would save the soldiers’ loved ones.
She would put Owen on the throne.
And Harley would do whatever she had to do to keep Ackley safe.
Lyle needed to suffer for what he’d done. A quick death would be a disservice. She would find a way to seek her revenge, and when the time was right, she would plunge the sword into him.
She would take her sword of rage and use it to right all the wrongs.
