Deliver (The Blades of Acktar Book 4)

by Tricia Mingerink

  When they stopped beside the wide porch, a lantern already glowed inside, casting warm patches of orange against the dark grass outside.

  He swung Renna down from Blizzard’s back. “Um, well, this is it. Let me unsaddle Blizzard, then I’ll show you inside.”

  Renna stepped onto the front porch, her eyes wide as she grazed her fingers along the railing. But she didn’t say anything. Was that a good sign or a bad one?

  Leith unsaddled and hobbled Blizzard as quickly as possible, setting the saddle on the far end of the railing and draping the bridle over it.

  With a deep breath, he opened the cabin door. Renna took one step inside and gasped. “Leith, you…I can’t believe…”

  He closed the door and joined her next to the kitchen table. He’d done his best to recreate the kitchen from his memories of Stetterly Manor. A wooden table sat in the center of the room, two benches on either side of it. A wooden countertop stretched the length of the far wall with cabinets above and below. Bricks covered the floor, a few still bearing black scorch marks.

  The one major change he’d done was move the fireplace to the middle of the cabin instead of against one wall. He’d been told that would heat the cabin more efficiently in the winter, and it allowed him to use the solid stone column of the chimney as a support post for the rest of the cabin around it.

  Renna knelt and touched the floor. “From the manor?”

  He nodded. He’d spent hours prying them up by hand to prevent damaging them. “I was able to save most of the floor and the fireplace hearth to use here.”

  She stood and inspected the fireplace. “And an oven built into the side. Perfect.”

  Brandi had assured him that feature would make it easier for Renna to bake more of those maple sugar cookies. “I started on a matching one outside to avoid heating the cabin in the summer.”

  She moved from the fireplace to the white railing that separated the kitchen from the small parlor taking up the other half of the front of the cabin. It was one step up onto the wooden floor of this room, and the other rooms in the cabin. “This is also from Stetterly Manor.”

  They’d managed to salvage just enough of the railing that had once surrounded the upper gallery overlooking Stetterly Manor’s ballroom. He cleared his throat. “There’s a gate that can be closed over the steps.”

  One of the farmer’s wives had given him that idea. She’d told him, with a rather knowing look, that it would make it easier for Renna to have children playing in the parlor without worrying about them crawling into the fireplace.

  Leith pointed at the doorway leading off the parlor. “Jamie and Ranson can have that room, at least until we can build a stable with a spare room above it. They’ll want their own space before too long. Brandi already claimed the loft bedroom.”

  Renna craned her neck, and Leith followed her gaze up the small, steep staircase he’d built curving around the fireplace, to the space above the two bedrooms. A wall separated most of the loft from view, though a narrow ledge with a railing ran along its length. The ceiling over the kitchen and parlor remained open all the way to the roof, exposing the beams.

  Leith took Renna’s hand again and led her up the step into the bedroom leading off the kitchen. This room was stark, a few pegs on the wall holding clothes and a straw tick on the floor. When a strange look crossed Renna’s face, Leith winced. He’d known this wouldn’t be what Renna was used to.

  Renna turned and gasped. “Where did that come from?”

  Leith turned and eyed the large, oak wardrobe taking up the entire wall next to the door. Ornate carving covered both the moulding and the base. “I assume that’s King Keevan’s wedding gift. Now I understand why he said it was for you.”

  Renna patted his arm and pointed at the four small drawers below the wardrobe’s large, double doors. “All your clothes fit in a saddlebag. One drawer should be more than enough for you.”

  True. He probably would have room to spare.

  “I have one last thing to show you.” He tugged her out another door leading back outside. Here, the porch wrapped around the side of the cabin facing the Spires Canyon only a few yards away from them. Deep in the canyon, treefrogs sang alongside the Ondieda River. The breeze purred through the stands of pine trees. At the far end of the porch, he’d built a bench swing with tightly braided ropes holding it to the roof beams.

  His heart had clawed its way into his throat. Why didn’t she say something? Was she that disappointed with it? All she did was stare at the Spires Canyon. “What do you think? Do you like it?”

  She spun on her heels, and Leith caught the glimmer of tears in her eyes. That couldn’t be good.

  But she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Leith, it’s beautiful. I was expecting a rough, one-room cabin. Not…not this. This—the loft and the oven and the pieces of Stetterly Manor—it’s so much more than I dared dream. Thank you.”

  He held her for a moment, savoring the feel of her in his arms. But something she said distracted him. “Wait, you were expecting a one-room cabin, yet you knew Brandi, Jamie, and Ranson are planning on bunking with us?”

  She gave a small shudder. “Yes. Believe me, I wasn’t looking forward to it. Even with all the spare rooms, we aren’t going to have a whole lot of privacy, are we? Not once they move in at the end of the week.”

  “The walls in the cabin are extra thick and sturdy. No chance of eavesdroppers.” Or intruders, but he wasn’t going to mention the cabin’s defenses tonight. Leith kissed her forehead. “And I was thinking, after the Gathering this summer, we should travel to the Sheered Rock Hills, just the two of us. I can show you Eagle Heights and what Brandi calls the sparkling cave and a few waterfalls even Brandi hasn’t seen. If that sounds like something you’d like to do. I know you don’t enjoy riding.”

  “As long as I can ride double with you, I’ll be fine.” Renna leaned her head against his shoulder. She shivered and tucked her hands against his chest. “Though you don’t have to come to the Gathering. Won’t it be dangerous if someone recognizes you?”

  Leith exhaled, and his breath misted into the night air. He stepped back from Renna. “You’re cold. Here.” He picked up the blanket he’d left on the swing and wrapped it around her shoulders. When she was warmly bundled up, he perched on the swing, pulling her against him. Renna leaned against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her.

  If he could, he’d remain silent and soak up the moment. But Renna had asked a question, and he had to give her the answer he’d discussed with King Keevan earlier that day, even if he wasn’t sure how Renna would react.

  “Actually, I do have to be there. Lord Norton will bring up my name at his trial, and Keevan believes the best way to outmaneuver him is to present the truth of my past to the Gathering before Lord Norton does.”

  Renna stiffened and tipped her head up to look at him. “Are you all right with that?”

  “Yes. It’s time.” After a whole morning to get used to the idea, Leith had to admit it was the best option. The truth might have its consequences, but it also healed. So many families had questions about how their loved ones were killed and why. Even if Leith hadn’t done the deed himself, he’d know which Blade did. He could provide those families with the closure they needed. Leith swallowed. “There’s more. Keevan also offered me a job.”

  “What?” Renna swiveled in his arms. “Really? What is it with men and making last-minute announcements on wedding days? He couldn’t have just waited until tomorrow?”

  “His way of exacting a bit of revenge, I guess.” Leith shrugged.

  “So what’s this job? What does he want you to do?”

  Leith’s heart was doing its hammering thing again. Why was he so nervous telling her about this? “He wants to start a band of men to patrol the stretches of prairie between the towns to catch Rovers. It’d be like the Blades, just without the killing part. Keevan wants me to lead it.”

  She stilled and stared off into the Spires Canyon, her muscles
stiff beneath Leith’s hands.

  Leith cleared his throat. “It would be dangerous, and I would probably have to be gone a lot, especially at first when there won’t be enough men trained to cover the entire country.”

  “Are you trying to convince me or talk yourself out of it?” Renna turned back to him, lines wrinkling her forehead.

  “I’m just pointing out the dangers. I told Keevan I’d have to ask you, and I don’t want you to make a decision without knowing the dangers.” Now he was starting to babble. He snapped his mouth shut.

  “Will Martyn join?”

  “Yes, if I do. So will Shad.” Leith struggled not to clench his fists. He didn’t want this job. Not really.

  Renna sighed and leaned against him once again. “Then you’d better tell Keevan yes.”

  “What? You want me to say yes?”

  She looked up at him and touched his cheek. “I always knew, deep down, that you’d end up with something like this. As much as you might enjoy spending a couple of weeks planting a few rows of corn, you aren’t cut out to be a farmer your whole life. I firmly believe you’ll do great things for Acktar, and someday you’ll be remembered more for the things you have yet to do than your past.”

  Leith grinned, a heady warmth filling his chest. There was nothing quite as fulfilling to a man’s ego as hearing his wife say she was proud of him, even if Renna’s dream of the future was so grandiose it was almost embarrassing. Though not enough that Leith would stop her from saying it. “You think so?”

  “Of course.” Her nod scrubbed a few of the flowers from her hair onto his shoulder. “I know Martyn and Shad will always do their best to bring you home to me. And if worse comes to worst, I will survive it.” She turned her face into his shoulder. “Though, I pray it never happens.”

  “Me too.” Leith kissed her hair. “If it ever gets too much…I promise you right now, all you’ll have to do is ask, and I’ll quit.”

  Renna tensed, and she hugged his arms tighter. When she spoke, her voice had the same fierce quality she’d had when she’d thrown herself between Respen and Leith. “And I promise you, I’ll never ask. Never.”

  “You don’t—”

  She twisted and clamped a hand over his mouth. “No, don’t say it. I’ll keep my promise as surely as you’ll keep yours, Leith Daniel Grayce Torren. This is what you’re meant to do, and you’ll be good at it, and, God willing, you’ll always come home to me. Got it?”

  He nodded and tucked her against him.

  They sat in silence for a few minutes, Leith rocking the swing slowly with his foot.

  “Leith?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I know you like to be prepared and all, but this would be a lot more comfortable without your knives poking me in the back.”

  “Oh, sorry.” Leith straightened and wiggled out of the crossed leather straps holding his knives across his chest. He dropped it onto the porch floor next to him, then unbuckled his knife belt and placed it aside as well. With Martyn and Shad on guard tonight, he wouldn’t need his knives.

  Though, he left his boot sheaths in place. Just in case.

  Renna reclaimed her spot. “So much better.”

  And there, with the tree frogs chorusing in harmony with the breeze in the pines and Renna cradled in his arms, Leith knew.

  He was home.

  Map of Acktar

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Here’s a big thank you to my fabulous readers who loved Acktar enough to patiently wait for this originally unplanned fourth book. You are amazing, and I’m nearly as sad as you are to be wrapping up The Blades of Acktar.

  After four books, I’m running out of ways to say thank you to the same amazing people who started this journey with me and have stuck with it for two years now.

  I don’t know what I’d do without the support of my family. They keep things running even when I’m abandoning all my responsibilities to finish this book. Thanks to my parents for being supportive, my brothers for being brothers in the best sort of way, and my sister-in-laws for being the sisters I never had growing up.

  A special thanks to my friends (especially Jill, Bri, and Paula) for sticking with me even when I cut out my personal social life to finish this book. I’m glad I can always know you’ll be there for me when I come up for air.

  Thanks to Nadine, Katie, and Ashley for being the best roomies ever, talking me through the tough parts of this draft when I needed it, and giving me the boost to finish it last summer.

  Sierra, the best critique partner in the world, for reading this book nearly as many times as I did and helping me figure out what needed to go to the chopping block to make it a manageable book.

  A huge thank you to Wanda Bruinsma, Mindy Bergman, and all the early readers who helped proofread!

  All my other writer friends who encourage and support me. Your prayers and chats are much appreciated.

  But most of all, to my Heavenly Father, my Captain and King.

  Never miss any updates on upcoming releases. Sign up for my newsletter and receive the free short story Deal, a prequel to The Blades of Acktar.

  Don’t Miss the Rest of the Series:

  THE BLADES OF ACKTAR

  DARE: Buy Now

  DENY: Buy Now

  DEFY: Buy Now

  DESTROY: Buy Now

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn't writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country.

  To learn more about Tricia Mingerink and get a behind-the-scenes peek at her books, visit triciamingerink.com.