Deliver (The Blades of Acktar Book 4)

by Tricia Mingerink

  King Keevan sank onto one of the benches by the table, set a saddlebag on the floor, and waved at the seat across from him. “Sit.”

  Leith slid onto the bench, his back cramping with tension. “What’s this about?”

  Something thumped from the bedroom off the kitchen. Voices echoed from the room along with more hollow thunks.

  Leith reached for his knife, tensing. “What was that?”

  “A few of my men are hauling Renna’s wedding gift through the back door. Ignore them.” King Keevan rested his elbows on the tabletop. His tight-lipped expression pulled his scar taut across his cheek. “You know I have little reason to admire the Blades. But Acktar was the safest it had ever been under them, and since they’ve been gone, Rovers have once again caused trouble.”

  King Keevan called the Blades them, not you. Did that mean he didn’t see Leith only as one of the Blades? Leith flexed his fingers on his knife as more shuffling and voices came from the other room. What were King Keevan’s men doing over there?

  “There’s little I can do with how things are now. The town sheriffs can gather a posse to track down Rovers, but they usually lose the trail. I can send the army, but the country has had enough of raiding armies. What Acktar needs is a group who can patrol the long stretches of prairie between towns. They need the Blades.”

  “What?” Leith sat bolt upright. Was King Keevan really suggesting that? Had Lord Norton been right that King Keevan planned to have his own assassins?

  A ghost of a smile played across King Keevan’s face. “Thought that’d get your attention. No, I don’t want assassins. I don’t want the Blades as they were. I want the Blades as they should’ve—could’ve—been had they been under a different king with a different First Blade.”

  The Blades as they should’ve been. Martyn had said something similar down in the Spires Canyon. “What does this have to do with me?”

  “I want you to lead it.” King Keevan’s jaw worked, as if he had to fight to say those words.

  “Me?” Leith wasn’t so sure about that. “Shad’s a more natural leader.”

  “I already asked him.” King Keevan shifted on his bench. “But he said no. He has other duties as the heir of Walden. He can’t dedicate his life to it as you can. But, he would be willing to join. He was getting bored.”

  “And Martyn? He was doing something similar for you these past few months.”

  King Keevan heaved a sigh. “Asked him too. But he said he’d only join if you were First Blade.”

  Leith resisted the urge to get up and pace once again. This felt…right. More right than sitting at Stetterly farming. The beat of the fight, the burn of the chase, still pumped in his blood.

  Was this what God was calling him to do? To use the skills he’d gained in the Blades to be a protector?

  “Still, why me? You don’t like me.” Leith leaned his elbows on the table. He didn’t dare hope. Not yet.

  King Keevan traced his scar with a finger. “No, I don’t. But I don’t have to. I only have to respect you. You’re the same age as my youngest brother-in-law, yet I would never ask him to do what you’ve done. You’re good at what you do. And politically, once you marry Renna, you’ll be in the rather unique position of being neither a lord nor under the authority of one. In other words, you’re the best man for the job.”

  If it was only up to him, Leith would’ve said yes right then. But he had more than himself to consider now. “I’ll have to talk to Renna.”

  “If you keep saying stuff like that, you’ll have a long, happy marriage.” King Keevan’s face split into something that could’ve been a smirk. He hauled two massive books from the saddlebag and thunked them onto the table. “If you agree, I’d like you to begin reading these books right away. One is a history of Acktar, and the other is Acktar’s laws.”

  Leith stared at the books. King Keevan expected him to read all that? “You do realize I’m getting married in a couple of hours?”

  “Yes, of course.” King Keevan’s smirk widened, and his eyes twinkled. “I realized something the other day. Yes, you’re joining the family, and I’m stuck with you. But, you’re also stuck with me. That means no matter how much I torment you, you have no choice but to take it. Ask Renna. I’m very good at tormenting cousins.”

  Leith eyed him. Was King Keevan joking or serious? He was grinning but that didn’t mean anything. “I…will start reading them right away.”

  “While Lord Alistair, Shadrach, Martyn, you, and I are all in the same place, I would like to discuss how to implement this idea, especially the measures we can take to prevent this from turning into the king’s personal assassins.” King Keevan touched his scar again. “I would like to put together a thorough proposal I can present to the Gathering of Nobles next month. I’d like you to be there.”

  “Do you think they’ll accept a Blade leading this?” Leith’s back stiffened at the thought of facing the Gathering of Nobles. Half of them would be out for his blood when the truth was known.

  “Doesn’t matter if they like it or not. We’ll talk them around. Like I said, you’re the best we have.” King Keevan shrugged, his thumb still absently tracing his scar. “Besides, we can’t hide the truth of your past any longer. When Lord Norton is placed on trial, the first thing he’ll do is point out I pardoned three Blades in hopes of turning the Gathering’s favor toward him. I plan to head him off by presenting the truth about you before he has a chance.”

  Leith released a long breath. He didn’t have a choice. One way or another, the truth would come out. He had faced it in Stetterly. He could handle facing it before all of Acktar as well.

  A twitch of King Keevan’s smile returned. “Besides, one might think you had the Gathering rigged. By the time it’s called, you’ll be married to the king’s cousin. Your wife sits on the Gathering. Two of the most influential lords and ladies will back you. No, I don’t think the Gathering and your appointment will be as tough as you think.”

  “Maybe. All depends on if I accept this job.” Leith smoothed his palms over his dark gray trousers. In the other room, the back door banged shut, and the noises stopped.

  King Keevan nodded. “Of course.”

  Leith stared at a spot over King Keevan’s head. Was this the future he was meant to have? Upholding Acktar’s laws. Tracking down Rovers. “Do you think these new Blades—or whatever you call them—will work?”

  “Yes. I’m counting on you to pick and train men of integrity who love this country and its laws more than their loyalty to their king. Men who will defy me if I ever give an order unworthy of them.” King Keevan leaned forward. His eyes burned in a way Leith had never seen before. “I want you to create heroes.”

  “That’s impossible.” Leith crossed his arms.

  “Then I want you to do the impossible. I hear you’re good at that.” King Keevan stared back. “This country will never be united by a religion or a king. But they will unite behind a band of heroes.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “If a country can no longer unite behind its heroes, it won’t unite over anything.” King Keevan smiled. “I don’t think we’re that far gone yet.”

  A band of heroes. Leith shook his head. King Keevan had high expectations.

  And for some odd reason, Leith found himself sharing them.

  She was getting married today.

  Finally.

  Renna peered at herself in the cracked sliver of a mirror she and Brandi had salvaged from the ruins of Stetterly Manor and propped along the wall in Sheriff Allen’s unfinished cabin. Her light blue dress fell in soft waves from her hips with a short train flowing behind her. After the wedding, she’d take off the train and wear this dress as her Sunday dress.

  When she swished her skirt, her hair fell over her shoulder, straight as always, though Brandi and Jolene had helped her weave flowers into a crown and into her hair.

  She smiled at the mirror. She didn’t look like a princess. Or a queen. She looked like hersel
f.

  “Your parents would be proud of you.” Lady Alistair straightened one of the flowers in Renna’s hair.

  Renna turned and hugged her. Lady Alistair had spent the morning telling stories about Renna’s parents, keeping them close on today of all days. “Thank you. Can you do one more favor for me? Can you make sure Leith…” Renna wasn’t sure how to word her question.

  Lady Alistair kissed her cheek and swept toward the door. “Henry already asked. Don’t worry. Neither of you will lack for parents today.”

  Renna smiled as she turned back to the mirror and touched her silver cross necklace. Yes, she missed her parents and Uncle Abel and Aunt Mara. But she and Leith were still blessed today with an abundance of family and friends.

  Only a few minutes after Lady Alistair left, a knock rattled the door. Renna turned. It wasn’t time yet, was it? “Come in.”

  When the door opened, Martyn tottered inside, wincing at each step. He sank onto a bench. “Just making sure you hadn’t come to your senses and bolted. I’ve seen you do it before.”

  Renna crossed her arms, trying to look severe. “No last minute, life-changing remarks?”

  Martyn grinned. “No, and I won’t drag you down the aisle either.”

  She shuddered at the memory of that almost wedding to Respen. So many things had been wrong with that day. “You’re where you are supposed to be this time.”

  At Leith’s side, guarding his back.

  Martyn’s shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath. “You too.”

  Renna couldn’t help her smile. “Yes, I am.”

  Brandi stuck her head in. “You’d better be ready, Renna. Because ready or not, this thing is about to start.”

  Martyn’s grin didn’t waver. “It’s time.”

  She stuck her hand out and pulled him to his feet. “Then you’d better get back there to Leith’s side and make sure he gets down the aisle. Drag him if you have to.”

  “Don’t think that will be necessary.” Martyn staggered past Brandi, nearly running into Keevan.

  Keevan dodged out of the way and made it to Renna’s side. “All set?”

  Renna took his arm. “Of course.”

  “Last chance to change your mind.”

  She shook her head at him. “You know I won’t.”

  He shrugged, but his grin remained. “It was worth a try.”

  Brandi held the door open for them. On the porch, Lydia and Jolene waited, dressed in sweeping, royal blue dresses. They both gave Renna hugs before they strolled up the hill to the stone church building.

  Brandi helped Renna hold up her skirt and train to keep it free of the spring mud puddles. At the doors of the church, Lydia peeked inside and nodded. She and Jolene swept inside. With a smirk, Brandi followed a moment later.

  The music swelled, and it was Renna’s turn. Keevan held the door for her, and the two of them strode into the long aisle. Bluebells scattered on the floor. People filled the benches on either side. Townsfolk from Stetterly. Soldiers from Walden. Somewhere near the front sat Kayleigh, Lady Lorraine, Lady Alistair, the rest of the Alistair siblings, and Queen Addie holding Prince Duncan.

  At the front of the church, the circuit-riding minister stood with his hands clasped around his Bible. Behind him, Martyn leaned against Shad while Jamie and Ranson planted their feet like soldiers, their eyes darting back and forth as they scanned the crowd for trouble. Off to the side, Jolene, Lydia, and Brandi held bouquets of flowers.

  But none of them really mattered. Not to Renna.

  Three quarters of the way down the aisle, Leith clasped his hands behind his back. His white shirt contrasted with his dark gray trousers and the black knife sheaths strapped across his chest. More knives glinted at his sides and tucked into his black boots. She had expected nothing less.

  Lord Alistair stood at Leith’s side, taking the place of the father Leith never had. Warmth filled Renna’s chest.

  When she and Keevan halted in front of Lord Alistair and Leith, Leith held out his hands, and Renna clasped them tightly. She fought a grin when she realized Leith’s hands were just as clammy and shaky as her own.

  Keevan rested his right hand on her and Leith’s linked hands. “On behalf of Lady Faythe’s deceased family and as the king of Acktar, I bless this union.”

  Lord Alistair also laid his right hand on theirs. “And on behalf of my friends Laurence and Annita Faythe, and on behalf of Lena Torren, I am honored to give my blessing to this marriage.”

  Lord Alistair and Keevan stepped away and claimed their seats. Renna managed not to trip as she and Leith walked the last few feet to stand in front of the minister. Somehow she made it through the ceremony and remembered to respond when asked to take Leith Torren, also known as Daniel Grayce, as her husband.

  Leith squeezed her hands, and she smiled. Yes, this was exactly where she belonged.

  Next thing Leith knew, he was leading Renna from the church sanctuary into the dazzle of the setting sun. The blaze of orange and pink arched above the rolling waves of the green, springtime prairie.

  They emerged into a circle of groomsmen and bridesmaids. Jolene and Lydia pounced on Renna and gave her hugs. Leith barely stopped himself from drawing his knife when they also hugged him.

  Shad hugged Renna and tugged on the end of her hair. “I still remember you in short skirts and mussed hair.”

  Renna ducked her head. “Not my best summer.”

  Shad slapped Leith on the shoulder. “I’m glad I didn’t accidentally kill you when you first showed up in Walden. I like having another little brother.”

  Leith laughed, but he didn’t have time to respond because Martyn had finished hugging Renna, and now slapped Leith on the back. Leith clasped Martyn’s hand and pulled him into a hug. Nothing could’ve been more right than this. Leith’s oldest friend and his new friends together as one family. All brothers.

  Ranson and Jamie both claimed hugs from Renna and back-slapping hugs from Leith. More brothers. More family.

  Then Brandi was there. She squeezed Renna so tightly Renna winced. After whispering something that turned Renna’s nose and ears red, Brandi bounced to Leith, wrapped her arms around his waist, and squeezed. “I never told anyone, but I always wanted a brother even more than I wanted a horse.”

  Leith hugged her. Her head now reached his shoulder, a reminder that she wasn’t the little girl he’d met over a year ago. She’d grown, both in height and in the things she’d seen and done. “I’m glad to be your brother.”

  Brandi stepped back and grinned. “No offense to Keevan, but someday when I get married, I want you to walk with me down the aisle.”

  Leith’s hands stilled on Brandi’s shoulders. Something cold settled into his chest. Brandi wasn’t a child anymore. She’d turn fifteen this summer. If she got married at the same age as Renna, then they had only three more years. Three short years.

  Brandi didn’t seem to notice. She spun from him, grabbed Jamie’s arm, and dragged him off somewhere.

  Renna leaned in closer. “Relax. Anyone Brandi ends up marrying is going to have to go through you first.”

  He touched the hilt of one of his knives. Whoever that boy was, he was going to have it rough. Leith almost pitied him.

  Almost.

  The doors of the church opened, and the rest of the guests poured out. Leith barely had time to think, much less talk to Renna, as everyone and his neighbor shook his hand, including people that had been calling for his blood a month ago. Strange how charitable weddings made people. Tomorrow they’d probably go back to shooting him dagger-filled looks, but today they were all smiles.

  No one seemed to know what to call Renna. Some called her Lady Torren. Others Lady Grayce. Renna responded to either name just as graciously. Perhaps because she was now both the same way Leith was both. His past. His present. And now their future together with whatever name someone wanted to use.

  After surviving the feast and rounds of toasts and generally being the center of attention, Le
ith finally slipped outside, Renna’s hand still gripped in his. A dome of stars had replaced the sunset.

  With a rustle, Martyn appeared out of the darkness. “I scouted the area. No sign of trouble.”

  Leith rested a hand on Martyn’s shoulder and could feel him swaying. “Thanks. Now you should get some rest. You’ve already been up longer than the healers advised.”

  Martyn shook his head. “I’m fine. Don’t worry, I’ll close my eyes for a few minutes during Shad’s watch.”

  The sound of hoofbeats broke the stillness, and Shad approached, leading Blizzard. “We’ll be fine. There won’t be any trouble tonight, and if there is, we can handle it.”

  Leith nodded. When Shad and Martyn melted back into the darkness to keep watch tonight, Leith turned to Renna and lifted her onto Blizzard’s saddle.

  She gripped the saddlehorn, sitting sideways because of her long skirt. “Are you sure we can’t just walk?”

  “The cabin is far enough that you wouldn’t want to hike the distance in that dress.” Leith patted Blizzard’s neck. “I’ll lead Blizzard. Brandi loaned him to me tonight to act as guard horse.”

  When Leith tugged Blizzard forward, Renna’s knuckles went white on the saddlehorn, her legs tucking against Blizzard’s side. The prairie rolled into darkness in the distance, filled with the chirping of thousands of crickets. A faint breeze rustled the grass into a night murmur. When they crested the far hill, Stetterly’s lights faded into a glow on the horizon, plunging them into the gray haze of night.

  As he neared the cabin he’d built at the edge of the Spires Canyon, Leith’s heart hammered harder and harder in his chest. Yes, he was thinking about spending his first night with Renna as man and wife. But right now, his first worry was showing Renna her new home. She’d been raised in a manor, in luxury. Yes, she’d gotten used to a lot in the past few years, and she’d spent last winter in a hole in the ground. After that, anything would be an improvement.

  But he didn’t want her to like this cabin simply because it was better than a dugout. She had to love it. She had to feel like this was home. She’d been robbed of so much this past year, and this was his one chance to give her back a piece of it.