Hidden Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “Once you returned to Axian, what did you do?” Dexter inquired.

  Anna’s focus zeroed in on Dexter. There was something about her eyes that made Reid squirm. It almost seemed as if malice or contempt filled them.

  “Please,” Reid said. “I’d like to know.” And she wanted Anna’s attention off Dexter.

  Anna glanced at her parents, the duke and duchess of Axian, before answering. “The Axian family has been in charge of the Knights for generations. Normally, the eldest son inherited the dukedom while the second-born son took over the Knights. Since there was no way for me to inherit the title and land, I decided to take control of the Knights.”

  Shock rolled through Reid. Her mother had chosen running the Knights over raising her five children? Tears filled her eyes.

  “Your mother wasn’t happy with us,” Duke Ellington explained to Reid. “When she almost died, I realized I had to set her free. That’s why I helped her get to Axian. After that, I had no contact with her. All these years, I hoped she was alive and well. I assumed she was running the Knights, but I never knew for sure.”

  Reid didn’t want to hear another word from either of her parents right now. She was about to stand when Ackley reached across her to grab a bowl of vegetables.

  “Stay,” he whispered. “I know you’re upset, but we have more important things to deal with right now.” He spooned a serving of green beans onto his plate.

  Of course he was right. Reid couldn’t let her family drama distract her from saving the kingdom.

  “You abandoned your five daughters,” Dexter said. Laced with fury, his deep voice cut across the room.

  “For a greater cause,” Anna replied, as if it should be obvious. “The Knights were in need of a leader.”

  “Who was in charge of it before you?” Reid inquired. “Grandfather’s brother?” She realized Duke Gregor had to have a brother since she’d met Victor, her second cousin. Where was he now? What had happened to him?

  “As fun as this family reunion is,” Ackley drawled, “we have more pressing matters to discuss.” He tapped his finger on the table, impatient as always.

  “I agree,” Anna replied. “We need to focus on what’s important.”

  How could this heartless woman be Reid’s mother? She’d always assumed a mother was nurturing, kind, and protected her children. Anna didn’t seem to possess any of those traits.

  “A group of Marsden soldiers will travel to the palace,” Anna stated. “Once they arrive, they will attack the Melenia soldiers, causing the chaos we need.”

  “Chaos for what?” Colbert asked.

  “For the Knights to kill the king.”

  Ackley pursed his lips. “And once the king is eliminated?”

  “Now that Prince Henrick is dead,” Anna stated, “Dexter and Reid will rule.”

  Reid rubbed her throbbing head, wondering why no one was arguing with Anna’s asinine plan. They couldn’t sacrifice soldiers to create a distraction in order to murder the king. This was madness.

  “You’re assuming the Marsden soldiers will kill enough of the Melenia soldiers that they won’t be a threat any longer, I take it?” Colbert asked.

  “Yes.”

  They couldn’t possibly be considering Anna’s plan, could they? Reid had thought Ackley, Gordon, Colbert, and Dexter were smarter than that.

  The queen’s warning came back to her—in order to circumvent someone’s plans, Reid had to know what his or her end goal was. Anna’s appeared to be killing the king, which was what Reid hoped to accomplish as well. So what was she missing? Something didn’t feel right.

  “Gordon will return to the City of Buckley, where the majority of his soldiers are stationed.” Anna folded her hands, leaning her elbows on the table as she continued to explain. “He will then lead them to the City of Radella.”

  Reid narrowed her eyes. Anna wanted Gordon to lead the fight, effectively ensuring his demise. Which happened to be rather convenient since Gordon was the only person who could contest the throne since Ackley’s title had been stripped.

  “Very well,” Gordon replied. “I’ll leave tomorrow.” He stood, then exited the room.

  “I hope you keep him on as the commander of your army,” Henrick said to Dexter. “You’ll need someone like him at the helm.”

  Reid glanced at Henrick. “You intend to remain dead?” Even after they finished this, he didn’t want to return to his family?

  “Yes.” Henrick took a sip of his water. “I think it’s time someone younger inherits the throne. Dexter is ready. He should be king.”

  While Reid agreed, there was one major problem—she didn’t want to be queen. “Ackley, you have no objections to this plan? You’re okay with Dexter inheriting the throne?”

  “I’m on board on one condition.”

  “Which is?” Anna asked.

  “I’m the one who kills Eldon.”

  Chapter Two

  “Why must you always be so difficult?” Anna asked Ackley.

  He simply smiled.

  “You can be the one to kill Eldon so long as you don’t hesitate because he’s your brother. It needs to be a clean, quick kill.”

  “Consider it done.” He shoved his chair back, extending his legs and crossing them at the ankles.

  Dexter stood. “If you’ll excuse us. It has been a long day.” He held his hand out to Reid.

  She slid her hand into his and rose. They headed for the door.

  “Are you retiring for the night?” Ackley asked, his voice holding a hint of mischief. He laced his fingers behind his head, peering at them.

  “We are.” Dexter started walking faster.

  “Well, now. If I remember correctly, you two aren’t actually married.” Ackley smiled at Reid.

  “You told me you were,” Duke Ellington huffed.

  Reid froze at the doorway. “We were in the middle of the ceremony when Eldon announced Prince Henrick’s death and the Melenia army stormed the palace.”

  “So you’re not wed?” Anna asked.

  “No,” Reid answered.

  “We can’t move forward with our plans until you are,” Anna stated, briefly glancing at the ceiling as she tried to mask her irritation. In that moment, she reminded Reid of Kamden.

  “Tell me, Reid, do you still want to marry my son?” Henrick inquired.

  “Why are you asking her this now?” Dexter demanded, his hand tightening around Reid’s. “We’ve already discussed why we should marry. You and I have already agreed. There is no need to rehash it.”

  Shaking his head, Henrick said, “That was before. Everything is different now since you will take up the mantle as king. It is a huge responsibility. Reid should have a choice. She needs to be a willing participant. Quite simply, I’m not convinced Reid wants to be queen.”

  She didn’t want to be queen. The mere thought overwhelmed her. She had no idea what her responsibilities would be in such a position.

  “We can train her,” Anna insisted.

  “I’m sorry,” Dexter said, addressing Anna. “But if anyone is going to help Reid navigate her duties, it will be my mother, Princess Nara. You’re dead. As such, you have no say in Reid’s life.” He looked at Reid. “I’m sorry if I’ve overstepped my place,” he murmured so only she could hear.

  “Thank you all for your concern,” Reid said, addressing those present. “However, I intend to stand by Dexter’s side. If that means I will be the queen of Marsden, then so be it.” Turning, she glided out of the room, Dexter behind her.

  She supposed she would have to get used to standing up for herself if she were to be queen. Thoughts of Harlow formed. What would happen to Harlow once Eldon was dead? The conversation Reid had with the queen still haunted her. Harlow had said not everyone supported the removal of the king. Did that include her?

  When Dexter and Reid entered their bedchamber, Dexter started pacing.

  “What’s the matter?” she asked, pulling off her boots and tossing them on the floor.
/>   “I can’t stay in this manor.” He tilted his head, cracking his neck. “Not with Anna here. I don’t trust her.”

  Reid was about to respond—to say the feeling was mutual—when someone knocked on the door. Dexter opened it.

  “Reid,” Duke Ellington said, peering around Dexter. “I’ll show you to your room.”

  Knowing she couldn’t share a room with Dexter, she grabbed her boots and followed her father to the other end of the hallway.

  After ushering her inside an empty bedchamber, Duke Ellington closed the door. He lit two candles. “We need to talk.”

  Tears threatened. “How could you lie to my sisters and me for all these years?” They all believed their mother was dead. Reid couldn’t even count the number of nights she’d spent crying over her mother’s death.

  “There was no other way. I needed to oversee the county of Ellington, and Anna had to control the Knights.”

  The Knights did a stellar job moving undetected throughout the kingdom of Marsden. They even managed to sneak into Axian to train. Surely Anna could have found a way to visit her family on occasion. “Aren’t you mad at her for abandoning us?”

  “Raising five daughters alone hasn’t been easy,” Duke Ellington admitted. “But what other choice did I have?” He went over to the window, pulling the curtains shut.

  “There were plenty of other options besides telling us Mother was dead.” She shook her head.

  “We’ve all made sacrifices to get here.”

  “What does that mean?” A cold chill slid over Reid’s skin.

  “Everything we’ve done has been to get us to this point—to get rid of the Winstons. This is finally our chance.”

  “The Winstons?” Reid asked. “Dexter is a Winston. When we marry, I will be a Winston, too.”

  He nodded absently. “I meant to make positive changes throughout Marsden, so things are fair and equal.”

  Suddenly, Reid wasn’t so sure. She needed time alone to dissect everything that had happened.

  “It’s been a long day. Get some sleep. We’ll talk more in the morning.” He exited the room, closing the door behind him.

  Although exhausted, Reid wasn’t tired. Not bothering to change, she stretched out on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The events of the past few days inundated her—her almost wedding to Dexter, Eldon issuing the kill order on all the Knights, and the Melenia soldiers invading Marsden to do Eldon’s bidding. She closed her eyes. Images of Gytha turning to face the oncoming soldiers so Reid could escape with Dexter, Ackley, and Gordon tormented her. At least Gytha was a formidable fighter capable of taking on two soldiers at once. Reid had to have faith the warrior woman had found her way out of the underground tunnels.

  The thought of Nara stuck in the palace and grieving over Henrick still bothered Reid. Would the king feel threatened by her? Would he do anything to harm her? Or would he leave Nara alone? And what about Gordon’s wife, Dana? Was she in danger?

  Reid sighed, thinking about the people in her life, starting with her mother. What did Anna hope to accomplish? Did she simply want to remove the king from power? Reid got the feeling that part of Anna’s plan had always been for Reid to be queen. Did Anna hope to influence laws and policies through her daughter?

  And what about Ackley and Gordon? Why were the two brothers going along with Anna’s plan? Reid had spent enough time with them to know neither would approve of it. Gordon was the commander of the Marsden army. He didn’t have to take orders from Anna. The mere idea of taking a contingent of men to attack and dispose of the Melenia soldiers didn’t make sense. A large scale attack seemed like a better idea.

  A queasy feeling overcame Reid. It could be something she ate or the events of the past few days. An unexplained desire to flee the manor assaulted her. Jumping off the bed, she hurried to the door. She reached for the handle. It wouldn’t budge. Why had her father locked the door? Running her hands through her hair, she tried to think logically. Duke Ellington probably wanted to make sure Dexter didn’t try to sneak into Reid’s bedchamber at night. That had to be the reason. There was no need to panic. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and reopened them, trying to remain calm.

  What if there was a fire? How would she get out? She jiggled the handle, trying to force the lock to pop open. When it didn’t, she banged on the door.

  “Reid?” Ackley said from out in the hallway.

  “I’m in here. The door is locked.”

  “Hang on.” There was a clicking sound, the handle moved, and the door swung open. “Why didn’t you pick the lock?” he asked as he slipped inside, closing the door behind him.

  “I don’t know how.” She’d never learned.

  “Lucky for you I was passing by.”

  “What’s in the bag?” she asked. And why was he wearing black pants and a plain black shirt?

  “I’m pretending to accompany Gordon to the City of Buckley.”

  “Where are you really going?”

  He winked. “To Ellington. I intend to get my mother and Idina. I don’t want them up there all alone while the king prepares for war.”

  “What about the Knights’ plan to stop him?”

  “It’ll never work.”

  “Then why did you agree to go along with it?”

  Ackley set his bag down, then leaned against the dresser. “I’ve known Anna for several years. I’ve learned not to argue with her. She always gets her way.”

  Reid sat on the end of the bed. “Your plan is to leave with Gordon tomorrow morning?”

  He nodded.

  “And you’re going to my home?”

  “I am.”

  “Then I’m going with you.” She stood, intent on packing her belongings. It took a moment to realize she didn’t have a single personal item with her.

  “It’s safer for you here.”

  “You shouldn’t travel alone. Someone needs to watch your back. And…I can’t stay in this manor.” Not only did it feel like the walls were closing in on Reid, but she also wasn’t ready to face her mother again. She needed some time and space to process. A trip home would do just that.

  Ackley regarded her for a long minute. “Okay.”

  Relief filled Reid. She’d been afraid he’d argue against it.

  “But seeing as how your father locked you in here, I’m not sure he’s going to let you leave the manor.”

  She realized her mother wouldn’t either—especially not alone with Ackley and Gordon. Not only that, but Dexter would be furious if she ran off without discussing it with him. She’d been in such a hurry to leave that she hadn’t stopped to consider his feelings. “I can’t go without talking to Dexter.”

  Ackley smirked. “You need to ask your fiancé’s permission to leave with me?”

  “No.” Reid sighed. “I can’t leave without telling him where I’m going and what I’m doing.” She didn’t need to ask him if she could go.

  Dexter stepped into the room. “What’s going on?” he demanded, glancing between Ackley and Reid.

  Colbert, Markis, and Gordon also filed in.

  “I was just about to come find you,” Reid said.

  Dexter closed the door before turning to face her. “You were? Because the last time you left, you ran off without telling me.”

  “That was different.”

  “How?” He took a step closer.

  “That was…before.” Before they were friends. Before she felt a connection to him.

  “What’s going on?” Colbert asked.

  “I’m going north to retrieve my mother and sister before Eldon sends someone after them,” Ackley said. “Reid can’t stand being here, so she’s coming with me.”

  “North where?” Dexter asked.

  “To Ellington,” Reid replied. “While we’re there, I want to organize my father’s soldiers. Anna’s plan is never going to work.”

  “That’s an excellent idea,” Dexter said. “I’ll accompany you.”

  Ackley tilted his head back, mumbl
ing something at the ceiling. “Fine. But we travel fast and light. I’m worried about Idina.”

  “While Gordon has a reason to leave, I’m not sure Anna is going to let anyone else go,” Colbert pointed out. “She seems to think she’s in charge and calling the shots.”

  “I’ll figure something out,” Ackley said. “Just go along with whatever I say at breakfast tomorrow.”

  “I want Colbert to remain here,” Dexter said. “That way, he can keep tabs on Anna. And if something ends up happening to me, there will still be a living heir.”

  Everyone agreed.

  “I’m going to bed,” Ackley said, pushing off the dresser and retrieving his bag. “We have a long week ahead of us. I suggest everyone else return to their bedchambers to pack for the journey.”

  Everyone exited Reid’s room. When Dexter turned to close the door, he paused. “What’s the matter?”

  “My father locked me in here.” She wasn’t sure she could handle being in there all night, knowing someone could lock her in again.

  “Yet, Ackley still managed to find a way in.”

  Reid shrugged, not wanting to talk about Ackley.

  Dexter sighed. “Would you like me to stay with you?”

  What did he mean by that?

  “I’ll take the floor,” he clarified.

  Reid didn’t want to seem like a child, afraid of sleeping alone. However, the thought of him there subdued the uneasiness she felt. Unable to verbally admit how much she needed a companion, Reid simply nodded.

  Dexter stepped back into the room, shutting the door behind him. “Is it okay if I lock it from the inside so no one can get in? I’ll sleep better that way.”

  She hated the idea of the door being locked at all. However, she understood his concern. “What if someone locks it from the outside again?”

  “Either I’ll pick the lock or knock the door down.”

  Smiling, Reid crawled under the covers, leaving her clothes on.

  After snuffing out the candles, Dexter situated himself on the floor.

  Since the bedchamber didn’t have a fireplace, the room’s temperature wasn’t all that comfortable. “Dexter?” Reid whispered.