“I think he left because he couldn’t handle the guilt,” Nara said. “To live in the palace where he’d killed his father was too much for him. He ran from his childhood memories and what he’d done. In the City of Buckley, he started a new life, one separate from everything he knew in Axian.”
“I agree,” Henrick said. “The Gast River served as a line. He remained in the north, wanting nothing to do with me. I think if he had stayed here, he would have ended up killing me. However, the guilt of what he did to our father ate away at him, so he left, knowing he couldn’t live with himself if he killed me, too. Not when we looked so much alike. It would have been like murdering himself.”
“Why do you think King Eldon is determined to invade Axian?” Reid inquired. “Why not follow in his father’s footsteps and remain in northern Marsden?”
Dexter, his eyes hard and fierce, answered. “Because Hudson wasn’t Eldon’s father—Henrick is. As long as Henrick is alive, Eldon is not the rightful king.”
“You believe Eldon intends to kill his own father?”
“I do.”
The room fell silent, no one contradicting him.
Finally, Henrick leaned forward and spoke. “I hope by joining the two of you in marriage, the king will leave Axian alone. If he doesn’t, he will face Axian and Ellington’s combined forces.” He pointed at Reid’s ring. “That’s why your father gave you that. Not only to make sure the king doesn’t hurt you, but also for you to have the power to call on the other dukes if necessary. Since I am a prince, I do not have that power.”
“Duke Axian didn’t produce a male child,” Nara explained. “So Henrick took up the duke’s duties. But he does not have the duke’s ring.”
Reid glanced down at the ring her father had given her. Henrick needed Reid to help prevent a war.
“I want to rally our people around this wedding,” Nara said. “I want them to see Reid as a beautiful woman from northern Marsden who is here to help us. People need to believe your marriage will strengthen our counties.”
And since Eldon had been the one to arrange it, he wouldn’t see the union as a threat.
Nara had finished eating, so she shoved her plate away and crossed her legs, her attention solely on Reid. “I need to know if you will stand by my son’s side. Your father sent you here for your own protection. However, I want my son protected as well. Where do you stand?”
Reid dared not glance at Dexter as she considered her answer. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, this was an advantageous match. Aligning Axian and Ellington was a smart plan, one she fully supported. Although she didn’t know Dexter that well, she didn’t think he’d sit idly by just to preserve peace as Henrick had.
Considering their union objectively, Reid saw a new side to Dexter. Like Gordon, Dexter held a prominent position as a commander to the soldiers. Eldon had forced Gordon to marry a docile woman from a strong county loyal to the king in order to ensure the army remained devoted to him and to strengthen his own position. It was the king’s way of making sure a powerful man like Gordon remained under his influence and control. Nara also wanted her son to marry a woman from a powerful county. However, she didn’t want him attached to a docile and accommodating woman. Nara wanted her son to marry a woman who would fight the cause alongside him, someone who would challenge him, and someone who could help him lead Axian. Reid was here to fight on Axian’s behalf.
Up until this point, Reid had viewed Nara as a powerful warrior. Now Reid understood that even a woman like Nara had her limitations. The princess needed Reid to help strengthen her son and protect Axian’s future. The realization both humbled and honored Reid.
“I’ve been afraid marriage would make me weak. I didn’t want to lose part of myself.” Reid folded her hands, carefully considering her words. “I never realized the opposite could be true. That marriage could give me something.”
Reid addressed Dexter. “I know we are not well acquainted, and you are hesitant to trust me. The feeling is mutual. However, I do trust my father, and he wants me here. I also respect both Prince Henrick and Princess Nara.” After all, Henrick bore the mark of a Knight, and Nara embodied everything Reid admired. Taking a deep breath to shore up her courage, she gazed directly at Dexter and said, “I do see the value of us marrying, and I am willing to give it a shot.”
Dexter’s penetrating eyes remained focused on Reid’s, his face not giving away a hint of his thoughts or feelings. “My father and I have already spoken, and I agreed it’s in Axian’s best interest to align with Ellington.” He rubbed the side of his face, along his strong jawline. “I also believe we can stop Eldon if we work together, which is why I severed my relationship with Gytha.” He glanced at his mother as he said the last part.
Reid wondered how much of his decision to end things with Gytha had been based on his mother’s tumultuous situation when she first married Henrick. She inclined her head. “I appreciate you ending things with your lover in order to give our marriage a try.”
“I never said I was going to give it a try,” he retorted.
Reid opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off before she could utter a word.
“If we’re going to do this,” he said, his voice low and rumbling, “we both must fully commit. We don’t try—we do.” Fire and passion burned in his intense eyes.
Reid swallowed, not wanting to drown in the depth of his emotions. It felt as if his eyes pulled her toward him. Glancing away, she broke the connection, needing to make sure she maintained a clear head. No wonder he was such an effective commander. After one impassioned speech, she was willing to follow him anywhere.
“What do you say?” he asked, breaking her from her thoughts.
“I agree.” Her voice came out slightly hoarse, causing her face to flush. She couldn’t believe she found Dexter’s fierce passion attractive.
“It’s settled then,” Nara said, saving Reid from having to say anything else. “We’ll announce your engagement in two days. From this moment on, everyone must believe the two of you are in love. I want to give them romance and hope. Something they can believe in and rally behind.”
“And I want the king to think Reid is here to do his bidding,” Henrick said. “I don’t want him to feel threatened. Then, hopefully, in time, the king will back off and leave Axian alone.”
Nara and Dexter exchanged a brief look. It was obvious neither believed Eldon would leave Axian alone. And Reid was inclined to agree with them.
Chapter Six
After supper, Reid meandered around the palace, trying to get her bearings. Once she was confident where the main staircase, library, and great hall were located, she headed upstairs to see Colbert. His sitting room was dark, so she went into his bedchamber. A single lit candle graced his nightstand. Eyes closed, Colbert breathed evenly, his chest softly rising and falling, the sheets pulled all the way up to his neck.
She tiptoed over, gently touching the back of her hand to his forehead. His skin felt too warm. It could indicate the start of an infection or simply be from having too many covers on. The room had a slight chill since the fire in the hearth was low, barely producing any heat. Reid added a few more logs, stoking the flames back to life.
With her hands on her hips, she observed the prince. What had her sisters done when she’d fallen ill with a fever? They’d cooled her off with water. Reid grabbed the discarded bucket, then went to the bathing chamber to get fresh water. When she returned to his bedchamber, she sat on the chair next to his bed. Grabbing the towel, she dipped it in the bucket, wrung it out, and placed it on his forehead.
She needed to check his wound. Pulling the sheet down, she exposed his torso. A blood-soaked towel covered the injury. Slowly, she lifted it, thankful it didn’t stick to his skin. The skin appeared slightly puffy and red. However, it didn’t seem unnaturally swollen, nor was there any indication of infection. The stitches were small and evenly spaced. Dexter had done a surprisingly respectable job of sewing Colbert’s skin to
gether.
“Do you think I’ll live?” Colbert asked, startling her.
She straightened, embarrassed he’d caught her with her face mere inches above his chest. “I do.” After placing a clean towel over the wound, she pulled the sheet over him again, not wanting him to catch a chill. “Do you need anything before I leave?”
“Have you seen Finn?”
“No.” He hadn’t been in the room when she arrived.
The door opened. Dexter entered, Finn right behind him. The dog wagged his tail.
“There he is,” Colbert said, a smile lighting up his face.
“I just took him out for a quick walk.” Dexter stopped, apparently having just noticed her. “What are you doing here?” His gaze focused on Reid.
“I came by to check on your brother. Now that I know he’s okay, I’ll leave.” She removed the wet towel, tossing it back in the bucket.
“Thank you,” Colbert said.
She smiled kindly at him. “Any time.” Reaching down, she scratched Finn’s head before exiting the room. At the doorway, she glanced back. Dexter sat in the chair Reid had just vacated, clutching his brother’s hand. It almost seemed as if he were apologizing. Again, she wondered how exactly Colbert had gotten hurt.
After putting on one of the dresses Nara had commissioned for her, Reid left the palace, eager to explore the city. Of course, it wasn’t nearly as fun on her own as she’d thought it would be. A pang of loneliness filled her when she thought about Harlan preparing for his own wedding back home.
Reid wasn’t sure if someone from the palace had followed her, and she didn’t care. All she wanted was some fresh air, to peruse some of the shops, and to find the bookstore where she’d bought the map the last time she’d visited. Ackley had insinuated they would exchange correspondence through there. Not that she knew how it would work, but knowing Ackley, he already had a letter waiting for her.
After grabbing a bite to eat at a local bakery, she found the bookstore with ease. When she entered, she spotted the same worker as before. The woman stood on a ladder, searching along the top shelf.
Ackley had mentioned exchanging correspondences in a book. Meandering along the far aisle, Reid browsed the vast selection, hoping a title would stand out. Not finding anything of interest in the first aisle, she went down the second.
“The gentleman who was here earlier said I should recommend a book on knitting if a young lady with short brown hair came in,” the woman said as she descended the ladder. “I think I have a few over here.” Wiping her hands on her pants, she headed down the first aisle.
Knitting? Reid silently cursed Ackley. He was probably laughing somewhere at her expense. “Curious that a gentleman should recommend a book for me. He must know me well.” And her hair wasn’t that short. It had grown to just past her shoulders. Granted, it wasn’t waist length like most women had, but it wasn’t short like a man’s.
The woman glanced over her shoulder at Reid, eyeing her from head to toe. “I’m not much of a knitter myself, but you do have the look of one.” She squatted, then scanned the bottom two shelves. “Ah, yes, here we are. There are several books you may find of interest.” She stood. “If you need any help, let me know.”
“Thanks. I’ll take a look.”
The woman smiled before returning to climb her ladder once again.
Kneeling, Reid examined the books. Which one would Ackley have chosen? Probably the most boring one imaginable. She read the titles on the spines, trying to guess without having to flip through each book.
One’s spine was so worn Reid had to pull it off the shelf to read the title. The Origins of Knitting. She groaned. Who would want to read such a boring book? Which was precisely why Ackley would pick this one. Settling on her bottom on the floor, Reid flipped through the ancient book. Nothing fell from between the pages. It didn’t appear to have anything hidden inside. Maybe she’d chosen wrong. She closed the book, setting it on her lap. Although she hadn’t known Ackley that long, she was certain he’d pick a book like this. Opening it again, she meticulously went through it, searching for even a scrap of paper hidden between the pages.
Toward the back, she found what she sought, deftly sliding the missive up her sleeve. After peering up and down the aisle to make sure no one was watching her, she slid the sketch of the ship entitled Widow Maker into the book. She’d scribbled details about Dexter’s meeting with the ship’s captain on the paper. Hopefully, the Knights could investigate further. She’d also noted that Eldon was Henrick’s heir.
She gently closed the book, then re-shelved it.
An elderly gentleman entered the bookshop. “I’ll be right with you, Walter,” the shopkeeper said as she climbed down the ladder. “I have your order on my desk.”
Reid used the distraction to exit the bookstore, eager to read the letter she’d acquired. However, she wouldn’t dream of opening it until she was in her bedchamber with the door securely closed. Since Dexter probably had someone watching her, she made sure to walk around in a relaxed manner as she took in the sights. Appearing eager or nervous would garner undo suspicion.
After making her way back to the palace, she went directly to the fourth floor. She had just reached for the door handle when someone called her name. Shock rolled through her as Dexter approached. “Yes?”
He stopped three feet away. “Do you have plans for this afternoon?”
“No, I do not.” She eyed him warily, wondering what he was up to.
“Since you are free, I’d like to invite you to train with me over at the military compound. When we briefly fought in my parents’ room, I recall you had some skill, though fairly basic. I think you would benefit from additional training.”
Not sure if she should take offense to that or not, she decided she wouldn’t—just to keep the peace. “After I change, I’ll head over there.”
He gave a curt nod and left.
Had Dexter decided to no longer ignore her since they agreed to have a real marriage? Reid watched him walk away, feeling an odd mixture of excitement and unease at the prospect of training with the army and getting to know this strange man who would soon be her husband.
Shaking her head, she went into her room, closing and locking the door behind her. After quickly checking each room to ensure no one else was there, she crawled onto her bed and slid the paper from her sleeve.
I hope you’re doing well. I’d like to start off by apologizing. I know, I know, I’m not one to apologize. However, I feel this situation warrants one. I’m aware of your aversion to marriage. We are the same in that regard. Therefore, I’m apologizing for your upcoming wedding. You’d probably run away if you could. (You’ve considered it, haven’t you?) The problem is you know this marriage has the potential to help our kingdom. And since you’ve sworn to protect Marsden, I hope you’ll go through with it. Thank you for your sacrifice. I’m glad it’s you and not me.
Even though the letter was unsigned, Ackley had clearly written it. Reid laughed. It wasn’t like she was sacrificing anything on behalf of the kingdom or the Knights. She was a woman—as such, her father had the right to dictate who she married. Even if she weren’t a Knight, her father would have still arranged this marriage. And, if circumstances had been different and she hadn’t met the princes, she would have eventually married anyway.
She went over to the hearth, tossing the letter inside. There was just enough of a fire left to singe the paper, making it unreadable.
Now she had to find something suitable to train in. Searching through the armoire, she found pants and a tunic at the bottom of the last drawer. After quickly changing, she felt more like herself. The sleek pants made her legs look long, the slim shirt highlighting her curvy figure. Excitement coursed through her. She was going to train with soldiers!
After exiting the palace, she hurried across the lawn and past the lake until she came to the military compound. Not sure where to go, she ducked into the office building.
“I’m Lady Reid E
llington,” she said, addressing the man behind the desk. “Prince, I mean Commander Dexter, is expecting me.”
“Yes.” The man stood. “I’m to give you a tour, then escort you to the training yard.”
“Lady Reid,” a familiar voice called. “I can’t let this chap give you a tour.” Markis patted the man’s back.
“The commander gave me specific instructions.”
“I understand,” Markis said. “I truly do. But I’m free right now, and I can do it for you.” He held out his arm. “Reid and I are old friends.”
Reid eagerly took it, allowing Markis to usher her down the hallway.
They turned a corner, entering into a spacious room. “Is this an indoor training facility?” She’d never seen anything like it. Weapons lined the back wall. Several wooden boards were situated throughout at random intervals, probably serving as buildings or providing cover for various exercises.
“It is. It allows small groups to work on tactical drills.” Markis led Reid from the room, then along another hallway. “This is my favorite place.” He pushed the door open, allowing Reid to walk through first.
Curious, she entered the long, narrow room. It contained a dozen separated lanes, each with a round target on the far wall. Several bows and arrows were piled on a rectangular table by the entrance. “An indoor shooting range?”
“Isn’t it fantastic?” Markis went over to the middle lane, picking up one of the smaller bows. He nocked an arrow, aimed, and shot. The arrow flew through the air, landing dead center with a satisfying thud. “Want to try?”
Was that even a question? Going to the adjacent lane, she chose a bow. After nocking the arrow, she lifted the bow and aimed it at the target. She tried to line the arrow up the way Markis had shown her. When she was confident she’d done so correctly, she released it. It soared toward the target, landing a foot below it. She burst out laughing. “I was so sure it would hit dead center, not miss the target completely.”
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