“I’m glad you know about them,” she said. “But an army from at home or abroad is still an army. I’m sure you and the commander know how to deal with such threats.” She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “But the real threat is the one no one ever sees coming.”
Was the queen threatening Reid or trying to help her? She had no idea.
“Sometimes the quietest person in the room is the most dangerous.”
“I’m not following,” Reid said.
“My husband thinks he has the situation under control. He believes he knows which dukes support him. He also assumes the foreign army will not double cross him.”
“What do you know?” Reid demanded. Did Harlow have connections no one knew about or had she been investigating on her own?
“I can’t say too much. I shouldn’t even be here talking to you. But know that while not everyone supports the king, they might not support the removal of the king, either. No one does anything without having an end goal in mind. Figure out the end goal, and you can circumvent their plans. If you don’t understand what they’re doing and why, you’ll never be able to stop them.”
Reid had no idea if Harlow meant herself, the king, the dukes, or the Knights. What she said could apply to anyone. Reid would have to think carefully about everything the queen had said and revealed to decipher the meaning.
“Navigate carefully, Lady Reid. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself drowning with no one to help.” After issuing that last warning—threat?—she touched the wall. A door sprang open. The queen left, the door closing and seamlessly blending in behind her.
“Did you know that was there?” Reid asked Gytha, gesturing at the invisible door.
“No, I didn’t.”
Neither had Reid. And she’d spent a week with Nara learning how to navigate through the servants’ passageways and the subterranean tunnels. Not once had the princess said anything about this door being in Reid’s suite.
“Did you hear anything the queen said?”
“I didn’t hear a word. I was too busy making sure she didn’t pull a knife and stab you.”
Reid supposed she needed to discover Harlow’s motives in order to figure out why the queen had felt the need to warn her. Once she did that, maybe the warning would make sense. For now, Reid wanted to crawl into bed. Her eyes were too heavy and her brain too foggy. In the morning, she would dissect her conversation with the queen.
Gytha shook Reid awake. “A letter from Dexter just arrived for you.” She plopped on Reid’s bed, handing her the letter.
Reid sat up, then rubbed her eyes. She opened the envelope, finding a single sheet of paper.
Eldon is leading the foreign army. He’ll arrive in three or four days. Tell Gytha to prepare for a full-scale invasion.
Gytha cursed. She went over to the vanity, grabbing her weapons.
As Reid slid out of bed, she contemplated why Dexter had sent the letter to her instead of his mother or brother. Or even Gytha. Reid’s conversation with the queen haunted her thoughts. What were Dexter’s motivations?
“Let’s go, Lady Reid.” With one leg on a chair, Gytha strapped a dagger to her thigh.
“Where to?”
“The military compound.”
“Let me change first.” Reid removed her nightdress.
Gytha hissed. “You are still bruised up.”
Reid examined her ribs. “It looks worse than it is. It’s not as painful as it used to be.”
“You shouldn’t have done sword work with me. The commander should have told me you can’t adequately defend yourself right now.”
Grabbing pants and a tunic from the armoire, Reid decided not to argue with the woman. While she couldn’t fight nearly as well as she would like to, she wasn’t helpless. If it came to a life-or-death situation, she would push through the pain.
“No. Put a dress on.”
“Why?” Now was hardly the time to wear something so impractical.
“The dukes need to see you as a lady. Ladies wear dresses. Not pants. Pants will intimidate those idiots.”
Reid pulled on a simple lavender dress, wondering why it was acceptable for Gytha to wear pants. Granted, she was acting as a sentry and wore the uniform all sentries currently did.
The two women made their way out of the palace, across the lawn, and into the compound. After telling Reid not to leave her side, Gytha ran around barking orders to every soldier she encountered. Then she went to the top of the building, proceeding to blow a large horn three times. She waited ten minutes, then repeated the sequence, explaining to Reid it was a warning for the inhabitants of the city.
Next, they went to the armory. Gytha handed Reid several daggers, along with sheathes to put them in. “You need one on each thigh, one on each arm, one on your back, and one on each calf.”
Reid blinked. “If I were to need the one on my thigh, how do you suggest I obtain it given the fact I’m wearing a dress?” She put her hands on her hips, waiting for a response.
Gytha shrugged. “If you’re alone in a room, you can get it. The point is, you’ll have a weapon if you need one.” Picking up a belt, she strapped it around her waist, securing a sword to it.
Reid attached the sheathes, then slid a dagger in each one.
“The compound is in the process of being locked down,” Gytha said. “We need to get out of here before we’re stuck.”
They exited and headed back toward the palace, jogging across the lawn. Axian soldiers moved into position all around the palace. People with bags on their shoulders poured from buildings and made their way out of the city.
“Is that what they’re supposed to do when they hear the horn?” Reid asked.
“Yes. They know to only grab what is necessary and to head south immediately.”
A chill slid over Reid’s skin. “I hope everyone gets out safely.” At least they had a couple of days until the king and foreign army arrived.
“If they hurry, they should be able to get far enough.”
“What are we going to do?” Reid asked. “Are we going to leave as well?”
“No. We’re going to stay and face King Eldon.”
Good. Because that was exactly what Reid wanted to do.
Chapter Twenty-One
The royal family informed the dukes a foreign army had been spotted heading directly for the palace, the king leading the soldiers.
“Why do you think it’s a foreign army and not our own?” Duke Willer asked.
The dukes and royal family convened around a large dining table.
“They are dressed in solid red,” Gordon stated. “That is not the uniform of Marsden soldiers.”
“We cannot assume it’s an act of war,” Duke Ryder stated.
No surprise that Duke Ryder would side with the king. His daughter was Princess Dana—Gordon’s wife.
“No,” Gordon said. “We cannot. But I have men in position just in case. Until we know more, we will exercise caution.”
Reid saw an opening, so took it. “Prince Gordon, do you think these foreign soldiers are the ones who tried to assassinate the king?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “When we were attacked, I didn’t see anyone’s face, nor did I see any sort of uniform.”
Regardless, Reid had planted the seed, which was all she needed to do.
“Has the king been kidnapped?” Duke Ellington asked.
“I sent men to spy on the incoming army.” Gordon shook his head. “It appears the king is riding with them in good spirits.”
“I don’t understand,” Prince Colbert said. “Our king is in league with a foreign army?”
Everyone started talking at once.
Gordon raised his hand, capturing everyone’s attention. “I don’t know what’s going on. However, since the king appears to be fine, we will assume the army means us no harm and the wedding will proceed as planned.” He glanced at Reid, then quickly looked away. “If I find out the king is there against his will, we will retake our k
ing, defeat the enemy, and Marsden will be victorious.” With that, he strode out of the room.
“He is definitely a soldier,” Gytha mumbled as she and Reid also exited. “He is not very eloquent with his speech.”
While Reid agreed, she didn’t say anything. Gordon was in a tough position—having sworn fealty to the king, being commander of the Marsden army, being the brother of the king, and having a keen love for his kingdom. If it came down to choosing between his king and kingdom, what would he do? Again, the queen’s words came back to haunt Reid. What were Gordon’s motivations? What did he want?
Two days later, the horn blew once, indicating the army had been spotted entering the city. Reid hoped they didn’t destroy the beautiful buildings as they marched toward the palace. Some of these buildings were hundreds of years old. At least the people had made it safely out of the city.
Reid and Gytha made their way to the first floor, where they were supposed to meet the dukes. They’d decided they would all greet the king and army together. Many hoped the army would pose no threat.
As Reid headed along a corridor, Finn bounded toward her. She knew Colbert couldn’t be far behind. Squatting, she rubbed Finn’s head.
“We do not have time to pet the dog,” Gytha said.
“Oh, I beg to differ,” Colbert said as he stopped before them. “There’s always time to pet Finn.”
“Is the army flying the king’s banner?” Gytha asked.
“Scouts are reporting the army is flying two banners—the king’s banner and a red banner with a lion fanned in flames. I’ve never seen it before, so I am assuming it belongs to Melenia.” He bent to attach a leash to Finn.
Reid had never seen the dog on leash before. She stood.
“I’ve been ordered to leave,” Colbert explained. “That way, there will be at least one survivor should the king decide to slaughter you all.” Although he tried to make a joke of it, the lines around his eyes revealed how tense he was. “Don’t look so panicked,” he said, placing a hand on Reid’s arm. “Markis just arrived. He and a handful of Axian soldiers are going with me.”
“Where to?” she asked. Obviously, it would be somewhere out of the city. However, with the army less than a mile away, he wouldn’t have much of a head start should soldiers pursue him.
“There’s a place,” Gytha said. “He’ll be safe. Don’t worry.”
Reid couldn’t help but worry. There were too many people she cared about in harm’s way and too many things that could go wrong. Everything was a big unknown, and she hated it.
Markis came running down the corridor. “They’re in the city proper,” he said. “Let’s go.” He grabbed Colbert by the sleeve, dragging him down the hallway, Finn dutifully following.
Since Markis was here, Dexter and Ackley had to be as well.
Gytha pulled Reid into one of the rooms. “When we get to the front of the palace, do not show shock, fear, or any other emotion—no matter what happens. Understand?”
Reid nodded.
“Are you armed?”
“Yes.” Even though Reid knew she’d strapped the daggers to her arms and legs, she patted them to reassure herself.
When they reached the front door, Gytha told Reid she’d be out of sight but still nearby. Gytha didn’t want the king to be able to easily identify her as Reid’s guard.
Wishing she could hide out of sight as well, Reid exited the palace. Henrick stood at the top of the steps, Nara at his side. The dukes had spread out on the lower steps, all wearing tunics embroidered with their family’s crest.
Reid spotted her father among them.
Gordon strode out of the palace with both Dana and Harlow. The queen stood next to Henrick, Gordon and Dana on her other side. Reid decided to stand beside Nara.
“Has anyone heard from Prince Ackley?” Gordon asked.
“I’m right here, brother,” Ackley said, pulling the sleeves of his shirt down over his arms as he exited the palace. He stood next to his brother.
Since Ackley was here, didn’t that mean Dexter had to be here as well? Peering at Ackley, Reid searched for any kind of signal from him, but he didn’t even look her way. Folding her hands, she faced the lawn, waiting for the king and army to arrive.
Soldiers were stationed around the perimeter of the palace and the rooftop. All wore crisp, matching uniforms.
Reid felt a strong, warm presence behind her. Turning, she watched Dexter exit the palace, relief almost choking her at the sight. He wore a plain black tunic, similar to his father’s, which bore the Winston family crest on the front. The same symbol as the king, only smaller and less ostentatious.
He came up next to her, not once meeting her eyes. “What?” he whispered.
“Nothing.” She’d just never seen him dressed so demurely before. Normally, he wore military attire, which exposed his muscular arms. The man beside her looked like a subdued duke or prince—which was what she assumed he was going for. He almost didn’t look or feel like her Dexter.
A low, rumbling sound reverberated through the ground.
“Here they come,” Dexter murmured, taking a deliberate step away from Reid.
Soldiers appeared. Rows and rows of men dressed in solid red with a lion stitched on the front of their uniforms. They kept coming. Hundreds of them. They lined up on the front lawn, leaving a space in the middle leading directly to the palace entrance. Then the horses appeared. There were probably thirty or so carrying men dressed in a variation of the red uniform. Reid assumed they were the officers. They rode down the aisle to the steps of the palace. When they fanned out, she realized the king was among them.
Reid examined the soldiers noting they all had a similar look to them—wide-shouldered, muscled arms, short hair. They resembled the three groups of assassins she’d encountered as well as the miners from Bridger, confirming her suspicions that the men weren’t assassins or miners, but soldiers from another kingdom.
Eldon dismounted, moving to stand before Henrick. Everyone bowed or curtsied. “Rise,” Eldon commanded as he scanned those present on the steps.
Reid glanced between Henrick and Eldon—father and son. What were they each thinking?
“Welcome,” Henrick said. “We are pleased and honored you traveled here for the wedding. Please come inside for some refreshments.”
Wasn’t he going to ask about the hundreds of soldiers in formation on the lawn?
Gordon’s hands balled into fists, but he didn’t question his brother.
Was no one going to demand to know what was going on? Were they all supposed to pretend as if nothing were amiss? Reid wanted to shake sense into everybody.
Dexter took a step forward, garnering the king’s shrewd attention. Reid wanted to throw her body in front of the prince to protect him from the king. Instead, she held her position.
“May I inquire as to why soldiers from Melenia are here in the kingdom of Marsden?” Dexter asked.
Swirling inside Reid was a combination of relief that someone had finally asked what was going on, mixed with a cold fear of what the answer would be.
“Someone tried to assassinate me,” the king said.
“Forgive me, cousin” Dexter replied, “but I was informed the attack happened last week. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
A chill slid over Reid. Dexter had called Eldon cousin for a reason. To everyone here, they were cousins. However, Reid knew the truth. These two men were half brothers. They had the same father, different mothers. And their father stood two feet away from them, his face drawn.
Dexter tilted his head, observing Eldon. “If the attack happened last week, how did you manage to send a message to another kingdom, procure some sort of alliance, get the soldiers to travel here by ship—a journey that takes two weeks—and then have said soldiers trek across Axian? All in under one week?”
The king’s eyes narrowed. “That was not the attack I was referring to.”
Henrick stepped between Eldon and Dexter. “King
Eldon, perhaps we should have these soldiers set up camp just outside the city? I fear we do not have the appropriate accommodations for so many here.” He spread his hands out, indicating the palace lawn.
“You do not need to concern yourself with these soldiers,” the king replied. “Commander Beck,” he barked, glancing over his shoulder. One of the men who’d ridden in on a horse stepped forward. “You know what to do.” Then, to everyone on the steps, the king ordered, “Let’s head inside.”
The dukes, all the royal family members, the king, and a handful of the king’s soldiers followed Nara into the palace. She led everyone into a grand sitting room that was two stories tall and opened to a courtyard. A handful of servants carrying trays filled with food and drinks entered, handing out the refreshments.
“I can assure you that our palace is safe,” Henrick said, eyeing the soldiers. “You don’t need to worry about security while you’re here.”
“That is good to hear since I intend to stay for a while.”
The fake smile on Reid’s face froze. Before the king arrived, Reid had known he was coming here to take over Axian. Regardless, the shock of so many soldiers and the reality of it actually happening was hard to stomach. She sat on a chair close to the window, her father not far away. Gytha was nowhere to be seen. Dexter made a point of standing near his mother, closer to the king. Dexter never once looked in Reid’s direction. It was as if he couldn’t care less about her. At the other end of the room, Gordon paced back and forth. Ackley finally went and put his arm around Gordon, forcing him to remain in place while he whispered in his ear.
“After the wedding tomorrow,” Nara said to the king, “we would be happy to show you around Axian.”
“Ah, yes. The wedding.” Eldon motioned for one of his soldiers to step forward. When the soldier produced a decanter of fine alcohol, a servant rushed into the room with a tray of goblets. The king poured a small amount into each goblet, then distributed them to the dukes and princes. Not one woman received a drink. Normally, it would have offended Reid. However, she had no desire to accept anything the king had to offer.
Shadow Knights Page 25
