“Did you do this errand?”
“I did.”
“Then why are you here?”
Again, another good question. Reid squeezed her knees tighter. “Because the king did not find what he’d expected in the box. The next thing I know, King Eldon said he and my father had come to an arrangement. He pardoned my father, allowing him to pass his land and title to anyone in his family, regardless of gender. In return, my father signed a contract agreeing to a marriage between Prince Dexter and me.”
The fire crackled as they each sat there, lost in her own thoughts.
After a moment of silence, Gytha asked, “The king sent you back here to find the missing item, didn’t he?”
“He did.”
“Do you plan to steal it from the royal family?”
“No, I do not.” Because Reid had already stolen the letters once. They’d just somehow managed to disappear in the process. Although, she was fairly certain Ackley had them. As to what he planned to do with them, she couldn’t say.
“If you harm the Axian royal family in any way, I’ll kill you.”
Reid chuckled.
“Why are you laughing at me? Do you think I’m lying?”
“No, not at all. I’m laughing because you think I could harm them. They know more than I do. I think they know exactly why I’m here. And I believe they are already a step ahead of me. You have nothing to fear.” Abruptly, Reid stood and headed toward her tent.
“I’ll be watching you, Lady Reid,” Gytha called after her.
“I’d be disappointed if you weren’t.” Reid could have sworn she heard the warrior woman chuckle.
Chapter Three
Dexter raised his hand, halting their group on the dirt road. After he gave a command Reid didn’t understand, the soldiers maneuvered into a single line. She wanted to ask what they were doing. However, since no one spoke, she figured it was appropriate to keep her mouth shut. When Markis waved for her to fall into line behind him, she did so without question.
Gytha moved to the front, leading the group into the dark forest on the left side of the road. The trees were close together, the dense foliage blocking out most of the sun. The temperature dropped, making Reid shiver. Her horse whinnied, pulling to the right. Unease filled her as she reined her horse back in line.
They traveled through the forest, no one speaking, for almost an hour. Finally, Gytha pulled her horse to a halt. Towering trees surrounded them, the tangy scent of pine heady in the cool air. Dexter dismounted before walking to the front. He paused there as if waiting for someone or something. Markis’s hand rested casually on his bow, an arrow already nocked.
A minute later, an elderly man wearing brown pants and a tunic emerged from the forest. “That you, Prince Dexter?” He limped, one leg slightly shorter than the other.
“It is, Seb.”
“To what do we owe this honor?” Seb asked as he shook the prince’s proffered hand.
“We need to talk. Unofficially. Do you have a minute to spare?”
“For you, I always have time.” The lines around Seb’s eyes deepened. “Leave the horses here so they won’t trample on anything.”
The soldiers dismounted. Reid followed suit, tying her horse to a nearby tree. Gytha ordered Markis and two female soldiers to accompany her and Dexter. The remaining soldiers were to stay with the horses.
Dexter leaned toward Gytha, speaking close to her ear. When she nodded, he stepped away. “Lady Reid,” Gytha called, her voice clipped. “You’re with us.”
Reid joined the small group as they followed Seb. He took them another hundred yards to the east, winding between trees and stepping over fallen branches. An eerie sensation made Reid’s skin prickle. She scanned the trees above, searching for the source of her unease.
“There are three men tracking us,” Markis whispered. “But it’s nothing to worry about.”
She raised her eyebrows in a silent question.
“They belong to Seb’s tribe,” he explained.
A twenty-foot wall made entirely of logs loomed before them. At Seb’s shout, a narrow door opened, granting them entrance.
“It surrounds their entire village,” Markis said before he passed through the entrance.
Sharp spears jutted from the top of the wall. Etched into the wood above the door were words in an unfamiliar language. She followed Markis, entering the village.
In an area cleared of trees were fifty or so wooden homes, smoke rising from a handful of the chimneys. Children ran about underfoot, and people worked in a vegetable garden off to the side. Seb escorted them between the homes toward the center of the village. When they reached a circle of tables situated around a fire pit, Dexter, Gytha, and Seb sat.
“Come on,” Markis told Reid, leading her and the other two soldiers over to a well about thirty feet away. He proceeded to pull up a bucket filled with water. After taking a drink, he offered it to Reid.
She shook her head, too busy observing the sight before her. On the other side of the fire pit, four kids stood side by side. They faced a tree stump with a potato set on top. The girl on the end lifted a small bow, nocked an arrow, pointed it at the potato, and then shot. It nicked the top of the vegetable. The kids laughed while the girl stomped her foot. A boy raised his bow next. He took a steadying breath, then released the bowstring. The arrow sliced straight through the potato.
“That was impressive,” Reid mumbled. None of the children appeared to be more than six or seven years old.
“Come on,” Markis said. The four of them went to an empty table and sat.
“Why are you here?” Seb asked, his voice loud enough for Reid to hear.
“I fear war is coming,” Dexter answered. “I want to make sure you and your people are prepared.”
“We’re pretty secluded here.” Seb rubbed his gray beard. “Is it those ignorant northerners?”
“They’re more backward than ignorant,” Dexter said with a grin. “But yes, I fear King Eldon is going to invade Axian. If my information is correct, he’ll lead in a force of five thousand strong.”
Seb whistled. “That’s a lot of soldiers. If that many come here, they’ll trample our lands and destroy our fields.”
“I know. Which is why we need to be prepared.”
“Do you plan to stop them at the border?”
Dexter clenched his hands into fists. “My father gave me a direct order to stand down.”
Reid wondered why Dexter bothered to tell Seb any of this. Like Seb had said, they were relatively out of the way. The chances of soldiers overrunning this village were slim.
“Well, your father isn’t a king—he’s only a prince. Like everyone else, he falls under the king’s jurisdiction. If the king wants to march into Axian with his soldiers, he can.” Seb leaned forward on his elbows, clearly challenging Dexter.
Sighing, the prince rubbed his face. “You’re right.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I’d like to make a deal.”
“I’m retired.”
“What if I promise it’ll be worth your time?”
“I’ll listen to your offer, but I won’t guarantee anything.”
When Dexter started discussing numbers and locations, Reid turned to Markis. “What exactly are they negotiating?”
“Weapons. Seb is a master crafter of bows and arrows. Plus, Seb was the commander of the Marsden army under King Broc.”
Gytha glared over her shoulder at Markis. “Lady Reid doesn’t need to know our business.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have brought her,” Markis mumbled.
“Lady Reid?” Seb asked, sitting up straighter. “Where have I heard that name before?”
“This is my fiancée, Lady Reid Ellington,” Dexter said, his lips twitching as he fought a smile. “Duke Ellington’s daughter.”
A grin spread across Seb’s face. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Reid.”
Reid had the distinct impression he knew her father. She couldn’t sa
y from where or how, but recognition had dawned in Seb’s eyes at the mention of the duke.
Seb turned back to Dexter. “I’ll take you up on that deal.”
Dexter slid a piece of paper across the table to Seb.
“Lady Reid,” Gytha said, rising abruptly. “Come with me.”
Reid joined Gytha, allowing the woman to lead her away from the village center.
Once Dexter returned with Markis and the two soldiers, their group set out. Instead of traveling back the way they’d come, they continued east, through the forest. Curious to see what Dexter was up to now, Reid refrained from asking any questions. A day later, they entered a small town near the coast.
“Same as before,” Dexter ordered.
Reid dismounted, then handed her horse’s reins over to another soldier. She joined Markis, Gytha, and two female soldiers. They followed Dexter along the main road that cut straight through the seaside town. Waves crashed in the distance, creating a soothing background noise. The wind blew, the smell of salt heavy in the air.
A sign reading Maiden Voyage hung above a door, creaking as it teetered in the wind. Dexter shoved the door open, then entered the tavern.
“You armed?” Markis whispered to Reid.
She shook her head.
Gytha handed Reid a small dagger. She took it, tucking it in the folds of her dress.
Dexter sat at a round table before the fireplace while the others went to another not far away. Drinks and stew were ordered all around.
“What are we doing here?” Reid asked after their food arrived.
“No idea.” Markis shrugged.
“Didn’t the commander tell you?” How could these soldiers blindly follow Dexter without having any information at all? Did he demand total and complete loyalty and obedience? Or had he earned it?
“He did not tell us what we are doing here,” Gytha replied. Instead of eating, the warrior woman kept her focus on Dexter.
Reid took a bite of her stew, surprised at the tastiness. “How can you be prepared for an attack if you don’t know who it’s coming from?” She couldn’t imagine trying to protect the prince when he didn’t give any details about their location or who he planned to meet with.
“I’m always prepared,” Gytha answered with a huff.
The two female soldiers chuckled, but they didn’t say anything.
The door squeaked as it opened. A large man entered, his dark skin weathered from the sun. He made a beeline for Dexter, taking the seat across from him.
Since it was the afternoon, the tavern only had a handful of people in it. Reid took another bite of her stew, watching the commander greet the man.
After shaking hands, Dexter pulled out a piece of paper and slid it across the table. “Is this your ship?” the prince asked.
“Aye.”
“I have questions for you.” Dexter withdrew a money bag, pushing it across the table. Then he placed a well-worn leather book in front of himself. Tapping the cover, he said, “This is your ship’s log. What were you doing in the kingdom of Melenia?”
Reid had never heard of such a place before.
The sailor warily eyed the book. “Trading.”
“Trading what?”
“I sold jewelry in exchange for leather armor, spices, and money.”
“Jewelry from where?”
“From Bridger,” the sailor replied. “Mostly silver necklaces, bracelets, and trinkets. The women over there love that stuff.”
“Why leather armor?”
“There are rumors of a war.”
Dexter leaned back, observing the man. “Where did you hear that?”
The sailor shrugged. “A friend of mine in Bridger was commissioned to make a thousand swords. In one day, I sold all the leather armor I acquired in Melenia to the citizens of Bridger.”
Dexter scratched his chin just below his ear. “How often do you sail to Melenia?”
“Once every two to three months. Takes about a fortnight to get there.”
“What about other counties here in Marsden?” Dexter asked. “Do you trade with any of them?”
The sailor’s face paled.
Dexter tossed him a second bag of money. “You won’t be in trouble either way,” he said. “All I seek is the truth.”
“I only trade with counties in northern Marsden. Never Axian.”
“Then why are you in Axian?” Dexter asked, drumming his fingers on the ship’s log.
“They won’t let me leave port until I have your permission,” the sailor explained. “The soldiers at the dock said I had to come here to meet with you. Once you return my ship’s log, I can set sail.”
Dexter shook his head. “What I want to know is how did you come to be in an Axian port in the first place?” His right hand slid to his thigh, forming a fist, the muscles along his forearm bulging. Even though he managed to maintain an even voice as he spoke to the sailor, Reid could tell he was restraining himself.
“Oh, funny you should ask.” The man shifted in his chair. “There was a storm. I meant to enter a port in southern Bridger. The sea was rough, and we got blown a bit off course. We ended up here by accident. That’s when the Axian soldiers closed the port and wouldn’t let us leave.”
“And who is us?”
“Me and my crew.”
“Did you bring anyone from Melenia here with you?”
The sailor wiped his hands on his pants. “Yes.”
“Explain.”
“Some men paid me mighty handsomely for passage to Marsden. I didn’t ask any questions though. Just brought them here.” He swallowed.
“Thank you for your time,” Dexter said as he shoved his chair back and stood. “Here’s your ship’s log. I’ll escort you back to port, so you don’t get off course again.” When they exited the tavern, Gytha silently followed them.
Reid rose and went to the table, examining the discarded paper on top. It had a sketch of a ship with the name Widow Maker on it. Running her fingers along the drawing, Reid wondered if it was a coincidence that it was a Bridger ship. The men who’d attempted to assassinate the royal family in northern Marsden had claimed they were from Axian. However, when she’d stumbled upon the mines in Bridger, those men had resembled the assassins. She suspected the king had hired the miners to assassinate his siblings in order to eliminate any contenders for the throne. If that was the case, then how did this ship fit into everything? Maybe Reid was simply overthinking it by trying to find a connection where there wasn’t one.
“Let’s go,” Markis said, tossing some money on the table to pay for their food and drinks. The other two soldiers had already exited the tavern.
Reid grabbed the paper, shoving it beside the dagger hidden in her dress.
They rode until it was too dark to travel, then set up camp for the night. The following morning, they set out before the sun had even risen. They repeated this pattern for two days, the commander keeping a relentless pace. Reid had heard someone say they were making up ground so no one would question where they’d been.
Late one afternoon, Dexter halted them. Glancing at the sky, Reid wondered why they were stopping when the sun wouldn’t set for another two hours. The soldiers dismounted, but no one moved to set up camp.
“What’s going on?” Reid asked as she climbed off her horse.
Markis adjusted the bow across his back. “We’re only a short distance away from the City of Radella.”
A sigh of relief escaped Reid’s lips. She could use a bath and a soft bed to sleep in. But then a new fear crept in. Would those luxuries even be afforded to her or did the royal family plan to keep her locked up somewhere?
“Lady Reid,” Gytha said as she approached.
“Yes?”
“Come with me.” She led Reid away from everyone else.
“Where are we going?”
“This way.”
Well, yes, Reid knew which direction they were going, but she wanted to know why they were headed this way. Instead of ar
guing, she followed Gytha over a small hill and down into a narrow valley. A stream rushed through it. Maybe the warrior woman needed help getting water. At the edge of the stream, they stopped.
Behind her, Reid felt a strong presence approach. She tensed, knowing without looking that it was Dexter.
“Your Highness,” Gytha said, her words tight.
“Thank you, Captain. You can return to the others.”
Gytha glared at Reid before stomping up the hill and out of sight.
Turning to face the prince, Reid shoved her panic down. Since arriving in Axian, this was the first time she’d been alone with him. She suspected he wanted nothing to do with her—at least they had that in common. However, since they were about to reach the palace, he probably needed to prepare her for what was to come.
With his feet shoulder-width apart, he folded his arms, his biceps bulging. The leather armor he wore made him look like a fierce warrior rather than a prince. “Do women normally wear two dresses like that in northern Marsden?” His voice came out low, rumbling like the stream.
“No.”
His brows pinched. “You look ridiculous.”
She shrugged, not really caring. “I wasn’t about to ride sideways on a horse. This solved the problem.” Granted, she’d ruined both dresses, but they’d served their purpose.
“One of my soldiers would have loaned you pants.”
Ignoring his comment, she said, “I assume we’re here for a reason?” Reid wanted to return to the safety of the group. She didn’t trust Dexter.
“You don’t like to rely on others or ask for help.”
She wasn’t sure if that was a question or a statement, so she kept her mouth shut, waiting for him to get to the reason behind their clandestine meeting.
“The king sent you here to spy on us.”
“He did.”
“Your father sent you here to keep you safe.”
He had? Why couldn’t he keep Reid safe in Ellington? She twisted the ring around her finger—the one her father had bestowed to her. It allowed Reid the duke’s rights and protection as if she were Duke Ellington himself. If any harm came to her, Duke Ellington could call upon the other dukes of Marsden to right the wrong. It was one of the reasons the king hadn’t already killed or imprisoned her. Why did her father think she would be safer in Axian? “Why did your father agree to our match?”
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