Shadow Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “I imagine my father is already on his way for the wedding.”

  “Probably.” Dexter sat on the edge of his desk. “My father also asked your father to have soldiers at the ready in case they’re needed.”

  Reid started pacing. “Ironic we’re preparing for a wedding and a war.”

  “The wedding was supposed to prevent the war.”

  Clearly, that wasn’t going to happen. “Do you still think it wise to move forward with the wedding?”

  “I do.” He folded his arms. “With the king dead and the threat from Melenia neutralized, we’ll need the dukes to be on board with crowning my father king. Our marriage and the support from Ellington will help ensure a peaceful transition.”

  Reid hoped Henrick lived a long, healthy life so Dexter wouldn’t become king. The last thing she wanted was to be queen.

  Ackley entered the office with Colbert.

  “Markis is on his way up with a messenger,” Colbert said, taking a seat.

  Dexter moved around to the other side of his desk, shifting through some papers. “Excellent. Once we have confirmation, we can proceed with taking care of Melenia.”

  Ackley meandered around the room.

  The door burst open. Markis entered with a man covered head to toe in gray. It looked like he was wearing some sort of skin suit that would blend in with rocky terrain.

  “Thank you, Markis,” Dexter said. “You may leave.”

  Once Markis shut the door, the man in gray said, “The king is alive. He had a decoy in his place. We killed the decoy.”

  Ackley swore. “And now Eldon knows someone’s trying to kill him. Where’s the king?”

  “He was not with royal convoy,” the man said.

  “Blast it. We don’t even know where he is.” Ackley gripped the back of Reid’s chair.

  “We’ll have to kill him here,” Dexter said. “It’ll be trickier and harder to keep our hands clean, but not impossible.”

  “What about Melenia?” Colbert asked.

  “We can’t do anything about them until the king is dead.”

  “I’m trying to figure out why my brother had a decoy in the first place,” Ackley said, his words clipped. “He’s never used one before.”

  “There are two options,” Colbert said. “Either someone tipped him off or he had a clandestine meeting to attend and he didn’t want anyone to know about it.”

  “I can assure you no one here tipped him off,” Dexter said.

  “Then we must assume he left the royal convoy to meet with the soldiers from Melenia,” Colbert stated.

  Reid couldn’t believe they’d killed an innocent man pretending to be the king. Which meant she was going to have to see Eldon again. Unless he rode in with the Melenia soldiers and flat-out declared war. “How do you think the dukes will respond once they learn Melania soldiers are here?” She didn’t think they would take the news well—even if the Melenia soldiers were there to help the dukes maintain control over Marsden.

  “We must proceed as if we have no idea what just happened,” Dexter said. “The king knows he can’t use the Melenia soldiers without the dukes rising together to fight him. We have to assume he’ll arrive and pretend to know nothing about the foreign soldiers. The wedding will take place. Then everyone will return home.”

  “I agree,” Ackley said. “When everyone returns home, that’s when Eldon will use the soldiers to take over Axian. Once he has control of Axian, he will invade northern Marsden.” He cursed. “I should have seen his plan earlier.” He resumed pacing. “I need to spar. Reid, where’s your guard?”

  “Gytha? She’s around here somewhere.”

  Ackley stalked from the room without another word.

  “Come,” Colbert said to the man in gray. “I’ll get you out of here without anyone seeing you.”

  Once Reid and Dexter were alone, Dexter went over to the window, staring outside. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled.

  “For what?”

  “For not stopping the war.”

  She stood beside him. “It’s not your fault.” It was Eldon’s. Placing her hand on Dexter’s shoulder, she added, “And we don’t know there’s going to be a war. We still can prevent one.”

  He looked down at her. “I hate to ask this, but do you think the Knights can help?”

  She’d been avoiding sending the Knights an update. “Possibly.”

  “Can you ask? Let them know what’s going on to see if they’ll provide any support?”

  She could do that. But whose side would the Knights take? They had to know Melenia soldiers were here. So why hadn’t they done something already? “I’ll send them a message right now.”

  Chapter Twenty

  After visiting the bookstore, where Reid managed to slip a note to the Knights into the knitting book, she returned to the palace, Gytha on her heels the entire way. “Why must you walk behind me?”

  “I can see better here.”

  When Reid craned to see over her shoulder, Gytha smirked, clearly enjoying her position as tormentor. “Can you at least walk beside me?” Then Reid wouldn’t feel like an incompetent fool who had to be watched all the time.

  “I think here is better.” Gytha chuckled. “Ah, Lady Reid, you are far too easy to tease.”

  With her hands on her hips, Reid whirled on Gytha. “How would you feel if Dexter had someone following you around like a dog all day?”

  “Did you just call me a dog?” Gytha asked, raising one eyebrow.

  “No.” Had Gytha missed the entire point Reid had tried to make?

  The warrior woman patted Reid’s shoulder. “If Prince Dexter assigned a guard to me, I’d be livid.”

  Exactly, so the woman knew how Reid felt.

  “Which is why I am enjoying this so much.”

  Reid scowled before resuming her trek to the palace. The first wave of guests was due to arrive, and she needed to be there to greet them.

  Two days later, they received word there’d been an attack on the royal convoy. Feigning shock, Dexter immediately sent a unit of soldiers to investigate and escort the convoy safely to the City of Radella. Given the size of the group, he expected them to arrive in seven days.

  The following week passed in a blur. Guests trickled in, and Reid spent a lot of time greeting people. Most were eager to meet their future princess. Per Nara’s request, Reid dressed the part of a fine northern lady, smiled a lot, and reiterated over and over again how happy she was to be in Axian, how much she looked forward to marrying Prince Dexter, and how thoroughly impressed she was with the prosperity of Axian under Prince Henrick’s management.

  For the first time, the palace sentries wore matching livery and the servants wore uniforms. The women Reid encountered had on dresses instead of pants. When she questioned Nara about it, the princess reminded Reid they had to abide by the law with the king due to arrive for the wedding.

  That night, Reid tossed and turned, feeling like she was being sucked back into northern Marsden. As her freedoms were slowly stripped away, chains clamped around her wrists and ankles, shackling her to the stone flooring. She tried screaming for help…

  “Reid,” Ackley said, shaking her awake.

  Her eyes flew open. It took but a moment to determine she was in her bedchamber in Axian—not in the king’s castle. Sitting upright, she pushed her hair away from her face. “Bad dream.”

  “I figured.”

  “Did I wake you?” He shouldn’t have heard her. His room was at the other end of this level, separated by sentries.

  “I was coming to see you. When I heard you screaming, I entered without thinking.” He patted her thigh. “I feared Eldon was in here squeezing your neck or he’d sent an assassin to murder you in your sleep.”

  The room was dark, the curtains closed, so Reid couldn’t see Ackley’s expression that well. “What did you need to see me about?”

  “I was just leaving for a meeting with Dexter when word came that your father is here.”

  Her
father had arrived in the middle of the night? She scrambled out of bed, searching for her robe.

  A shadow moved by the door. “Did you not think me capable of doing my job?” Gytha demanded. “That I am so incompetent I couldn’t protect Lady Reid?”

  Reid had forgotten the woman was asleep in the sitting room. Had she heard Reid cry out in her dreams?

  “Why didn’t you wake Lady Reid from her nightmare?” Ackley asked Gytha.

  “My job is to protect her from harm. A bad dream never hurt anyone.”

  Reid put her robe on, tying it.

  “I managed to get by you and into Reid’s bedchamber without you stopping me,” he said.

  “When you burst into the room, I was behind the door with a sword in hand. You are lucky I didn’t kill you.”

  “Why didn’t you?” He cocked his head to the side.

  “I could tell it was you by your smell.”

  Reid chuckled. “Ackley smells?” She’d never noticed him having any particular aroma before. Unless they were sparring—then he stunk of sweat.

  “His clothes have a hint of a leather smell to them,” Gytha answered.

  “Well,” Reid said, because she had no idea what else to say. “I’d like to see my father.” She exited her suite, Ackley and Gytha close behind, only to come face to face with Dexter, his hand raised to knock on her door. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to wake you.” He scowled at Gytha and Ackley. “Apparently, I needn’t have bothered.” Still in his clothing from earlier in the day, he made a fine sight, even when rumpled.

  “What time is it?” she asked.

  “Well past midnight. Your father is in the stables. I told him we’d meet him in the sitting room. He didn’t want to wake you. However, I knew you’d be mad if I didn’t.”

  In the hallway, she paused, addressing Gytha and Ackley. “Neither of you need to come with me to see my father. Ackley, go to bed. Gytha, you can remain in my suite.” She motioned to Dexter. “My fiancé will escort me back to my room.” Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Dexter’s arm and led him down the hallway toward the stairs. “I take it you’ve been working?”

  “I have. There’s a lot to do before the king or the foreign army arrive.”

  Suddenly, she froze.

  He went down two steps before he realized she’d stopped. Shifting toward her, he said, “What’s wrong?”

  Their position on different steps made them eye level. “Nothing.” This close, on the darkened staircase, she had the sudden urge to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him. Instead, she whispered, “Make sure you’re taking care of yourself. You need to sleep so you can be ready for whatever is coming.”

  Dexter wrapped his large hands around Reid’s waist. Pulling her toward him, he leaned into her. “Are you worried about me?”

  She couldn’t answer. Not when he was this close. Not when his lips hovered near hers. Without meaning to, she lifted her arms over his shoulders, her hands clasping behind his neck.

  “Duke Ellington is waiting for Lady Reid in the sitting room.” Nara’s amused voice cut through their moment. “I hardly think now’s the best time for such physical displays of affection. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  Reid wanted nothing more than to crawl under a rock and hide. Cheeks on fire, she scrambled away from Dexter.

  “Goodnight, Mother,” Dexter said, obviously frustrated at the interruption. Instead of seeming embarrassed, he took Reid’s hand and tugged her to his side, escorting her down the staircase.

  Nara, still dressed, made her way up the steps. “Goodnight, you two.”

  “Why is your mother up this late?” Reid asked. “Am I the only one who actually sleeps around here?”

  When they entered the sitting room, Duke Ellington stood in front of the fireplace, a drink in hand.

  “Where’s everyone?” Reid asked, hurrying to wrap her father in a hug.

  “It’s just me.” He kissed her forehead before pulling away.

  “Kamden isn’t even here?” While Reid hadn’t expected her three eldest sisters to attend her wedding, she’d thought Kamden would at least.

  “She is home tending to our guests,” he whispered.

  Reid had forgotten Leigh and Idina were hidden away in her father’s castle.

  “It’s good to see you,” Ellington murmured. “I was worried about you.” When he saw she had the ring on, he smiled approvingly. “Glad to see it’s on your finger where it belongs.”

  “How was your journey? How have you been?”

  Ellington addressed Dexter. “The two of us need to talk.”

  Dexter nodded.

  Then, to Reid, her father said, “I’ll see you in a few days.”

  “What?” He’d just gotten there. “Won’t I see you at breakfast?” Reid wanted to spend the day with him so she could show him the palace, explore the city, and maybe go for a ride together.

  Placing his hands on her shoulders, he looked into her eyes. “I plan to leave first thing in the morning. There are some things I need to do.”

  What could her father possibly have to do in Axian?

  “I need to speak with Prince Dexter. Go to bed, Reid.”

  She tensed, not believing her father had dismissed her like a child.

  When Dexter opened the door, a sentry entered. “Please escort Lady Reid to her suite,” Dexter ordered. To Reid, he said, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  And just like that, she’d been dismissed by both her father and her fiancé. Tamping down her anger, she followed the sentry like a dutiful woman. Whatever was going on had to be of utmost importance. Otherwise, why wouldn’t her father include her? She needed to trust her father and Dexter. Too bad trusting was so hard. She hated being left in the dark.

  The following day, Duke Ellington didn’t show up at breakfast. Since he’d arrived in the middle of the night, only a few sentries and the royal family knew he was in Axian. Had her father not traveled with a convoy of soldiers? There was no way he’d made the journey from his castle in Ellington all the way to the City of Radella alone.

  Ackley leaned over to whisper in her ear. “You have family in Axian. It shouldn’t be that difficult to figure out where your father might have gone.”

  And just like that, the anxious feeling she’d been dealing with evaporated. Of course he’d want to see his in-laws. Only, weren’t they coming for the wedding? Maybe her father planned to escort them here himself.

  Dexter set his goblet down with more force than necessary. Tilting his head to the side, he cracked his neck and blew out an annoyed breath.

  “Problem?” Ackley drawled.

  “I would appreciate it if you would refrain from whispering in my fiancée’s ear, touching her, or playing with her hair.” Dexter’s glare bore into Ackley, his scowl harsh and foreboding.

  When Dexter acted like this, it reminded Reid of when she’d first met him. A calm rage simmered below his surface, itching to break free.

  “If my sister were here,” Ackley replied coolly, “you’d see I treat her the same.”

  A sentry entered. He handed a letter to Dexter before leaving once more.

  Before opening the letter, Dexter snapped, “I don’t care if that’s how you treat your sister. It bothers me. Therefore, I’d prefer you show enough respect to refrain from smothering Reid.”

  “Shouldn’t we ask Reid if it bothers her?” Ackley countered.

  Dexter mumbled something unintelligible. With jerky movements that betrayed his aggravation with Ackley, he ripped into the envelope and removed a slip of paper. After he read the letter, he placed it on the table, rubbing his forehead.

  “What’s wrong?” Reid asked.

  “Soldiers have been spotted. Twenty miles from here.”

  “They’re not holding their position in the open fields?” Ackley asked.

  “No. They are marching directly toward the city. It appears the king is leading them, although the men are dressed in red, which i
s not the king’s color.” Shoving his chair away from the table, he rose. “Please excuse me. I must don my battle gear, then ride out to meet them before they get too close to the city.”

  When he left the room, panic flooded Reid. Why did Dexter have to meet the soldiers? Resting her face against her hands, she breathed deeply, knowing how stupid it was to not want him to go. Dexter commanded the army. Therefore, he was doing what he must and what was right—even though Reid desperately wished he wouldn’t put himself in harm’s way.

  Appetite gone, Reid pushed away from the table and left the dining room. In the corridor, Gytha followed right on Reid’s heels, much too close. Reid momentarily paused, causing the warrior woman to collide into her, Gytha’s boot scraping the back of Reid’s foot. Her control suddenly snapped. Whirling around, she got right in the warrior woman’s face. “What’s your problem?”

  Gytha leaned even closer, but Reid refused to retreat.

  “I should be riding with my commander, not babysitting you,” Gytha forced out between clenched teeth.

  “I agree.” Reid folded her arms, eyes narrowed.

  “You do?” Gytha replied sharply.

  “Yes! I’d rather you guard him than me. There are enough people in the palace to keep an eye on me. I’ll be fine. Dexter, on the other hand, needs someone to watch his back.”

  Gytha straightened. “We agree?”

  “We agree.” But what could they do about it? “Let’s go speak to Dexter.” One of his best soldiers shouldn’t be guarding Reid at the palace when he planned to leave to meet an army. “Where would he go to don his battle gear?”

  “Ladies,” Ackley said as he joined them. “What are you two scheming?”

  “I should be with my commander, not Lady Reid,” Gytha said.

  “While I agree with you, someone must protect Lady Reid. If the army sends a unit of men ahead and attempts to take the palace by surprise, who will be here to make sure the royal family stays safe?”

  Sentries were posted for events of that nature. However, Reid understood his point. “What if you went?” she suggested.

  “Oh, I plan to. I just need to make sure I blend in with the soldiers so no one will recognize me.” He winked, then continued his stroll down the hallway, whistling.