Hidden Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “Yeah?”

  “Umm…” She wasn’t sure how to say what she wanted to. “It is rather cold.”

  “Yes, it is.” The floor creaked as Dexter tried to get comfortable.

  Instead of tossing him a blanket, Reid scooted over. “Will you join me? I could use your body heat.” And she needed his strong presence beside her. The room was so dark she couldn’t even see her own hand in front of her face. And, if she were being completely honest, she wanted Dexter next to her.

  “I’m not sure that’s a smart idea with your parents in the manor.” His voice sounded husky.

  “I don’t care.”

  The floor creaked again. There was a rustling sound. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  The bed dipped as Dexter climbed on it, sprawling next to her.

  Reid rolled onto her side to face him, although she couldn’t see him in the darkness. “Are you on top of the covers?”

  “I am.” He swallowed.

  “You don’t want to get under them?”

  He was quiet for a minute before answering. “It’s not that I don’t want to…”

  “I’m fully clothed.” It wasn’t like she was wearing a thin nightdress. She even had on socks. “It’s freezing, and it’s only going to get colder.”

  “If I get under these blankets, I can’t guarantee I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

  The thought of him wanting her—of him even thinking about her that way—made Reid’s heart race. “The whole point of you being in bed with me is for us to stay warm. We’ve slept side by side before.” And they were getting married. What was the harm in sleeping in the same bed?

  Dexter slid under the covers. His hand slowly inched over Reid’s torso, pulling her toward him. The last time she’d laid with him, she’d been facing away from him. Face to face was entirely different. She could feel his breath on her lips. It felt too intimate.

  “This is definitely much warmer,” he murmured. “And more comfortable.”

  She couldn’t form a coherent response, so she nodded. Which, of course, he couldn’t see.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  No, she was not okay. Her heart was beating too fast, her breathing too rapid, and now she was too hot. “Umm…”

  “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” he whispered, sending a shiver down her spine.

  “I’m going to face the other direction.” So she wouldn’t be tempted to do something stupid—like kiss him. She rolled over. His arm remained draped over her hip, his hand now on her stomach.

  “Goodnight, Reid.” He kissed the back of her head. “Sweet dreams.”

  Closing her eyes, she listened to Dexter’s breathing as it evened out. Before she knew it, she fell into a deep sleep.

  Peeling her eyelids open, Reid blinked at the sunlight streaming in through the window.

  Dexter laid on his side with his head propped on his hand. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  She rubbed her eyes, then stretched.

  Dexter raised his eyebrows. “I think I could get used to this.”

  “What?” she asked, sitting up.

  Shaking his head, he slid out of bed. “Let’s go eat breakfast so we can leave.”

  Reid liked the sound of that. After getting out of bed, she pulled on her boots while Dexter opened the door. Anna stood there with her arms crossed, her face expressionless.

  “Morning,” Dexter said, blocking the doorway. “Is there something you need?”

  “I want a moment alone with Reid.”

  “Don’t we all?” Dexter murmured. “We were just heading downstairs for breakfast.”

  “Excellent. You go to the dining room. I will escort Reid there in a few minutes.”

  “Give me a moment.” He stepped back, closing the door in Anna’s face. “Do you want to talk to her?”

  Reid wasn’t prepared to have any sort of in-depth conversation with her mother. Too much anger and hurt filled her to be able to speak calmly.

  Dexter came over to Reid, placing his large hands on her shoulders. “How about she comes in here to talk to you while I remain outside in the hallway? If you need me, all you have to do is raise your voice and I’ll come in.”

  While Reid appreciated the gesture, she didn’t want to rely on others. “You can go to breakfast. I’ll be along shortly.”

  Instead of questioning her or arguing, Dexter simply inclined his head and exited the room, leaving the door open.

  Not wanting to talk to Anna inside the bedchamber, Reid stepped into the hallway. “You wanted to see me?” At least out here, Reid had an escape route.

  “When we spoke at the Knights’ headquarters, we discussed your relationship with Prince Dexter.”

  “We did?” Reid felt a swell of uneasiness.

  Anna stepped closer. “I told you not to get involved with him.”

  “No. You told me to gain his trust so I could figure out what he was doing at night.” As soon as the words were out, Reid realized she’d made an error. While she had discovered Dexter was meeting with a group of revolutionaries, she hadn’t informed the Knights about it.

  “And?” Anna asked. “What have you learned?”

  “Nothing that will help our cause.” Reid laced her hands together, trying to appear calm and in control.

  “What, exactly, is our cause?” Anna moved even closer, until their toes almost touched.

  Reid often wondered that very same thing. “I thought the Knights were protectors of the Marsden people.”

  “We are. Which is why I’m telling you not to get emotional on me.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means that while I need you to marry Dexter, I don’t want you to fall in love with him.”

  How could Reid’s mother be so cold?

  “Don’t look at me like that,” Anna snapped. “This is business. We can’t let our feelings get in the way. If you allow Dexter to ensnare you, it will be your demise. Don’t be so weak as to let a man lead you astray. Stay firm to your beliefs. If you play this right, you will be ruling over Dexter instead of him over you. Then, when you establish your reign, we can eliminate him. As the queen of Marsden, you will not need a man by your side.” Her mother’s eyes flashed with triumph.

  Reid recalled the conversation she’d had with Dexter a few weeks ago. He’d said he didn’t want to fall in love because he didn’t want another person to have control over him. While Reid might not have experienced love before, she knew enough to understand that ruling over or controlling another person wasn’t what it entailed. She had too much respect for Dexter to manipulate him. He was his own person, and she would not impose herself upon him.

  As far as eliminating him? She couldn’t believe her mother had concocted this entire plan to put Reid on the throne. She didn’t know anything about this woman—nor did she want to. “Maybe it was a blessing you left us when I was only a baby. I’m not sure you are qualified to raise children.” With that, she hurried away from Anna, striding along the hallway to the staircase. She practically fell down the steps in her haste to escape.

  At the bottom, a strong hand wrapped around her wrist, yanking her into an empty room. The person pulled her against his body, a hand covering her mouth.

  “It’s me,” Ackley whispered. “Don’t say anything. I’ll explain more later. When we meet in the dining room, don’t reveal our destination is Ellington. If anyone asks, we are going to the City of Buckley. Idina and Leigh are there. Understand?”

  Reid nodded.

  Ackley pushed her back into the hallway. Alone again, she wondered what that had been about. Were Idina and Leigh in danger from the Knights? Reid made her way to the dining room. She hadn’t even had breakfast, yet the day was already off to a terrible start.

  Entering the dining room, she found her grandparents, Constance and Gregor, speaking quietly with one another. “Good morning.” She took a seat.

  Conversation immediately ceased
.

  Constance fiddled with her spoon. “I want to apologize,” she said to Reid. “I’m sorry we lied about your mother. That we didn’t tell you she was alive.”

  Reid forced a smile. “I understand why you did it.” After all, they’d only just met her. Plus, Dexter had been with her. Perhaps if she’d been alone, they would have told her the truth.

  Constance stood, running her hands down the front of her dress. “I was just about to take your grandfather out to the lake for a bit. He likes to watch the ducks. Would you care to join us?”

  Didn’t they know their kingdom was on the verge of war? How could they be so calm? “Thank you for the invite. However, after I eat, I have some things to take care of.”

  “If you change your mind,” Gregor said, “you know where we’ll be.”

  Constance came up behind him, using the handles on the back of his chair to maneuver him out from under the table. The wheels on the chair appeared large enough to traverse over the gravel path outside. However, Reid wondered if he could get upstairs. Gregor’s bedchamber must be on the first floor. Constance rolled him out of the dining room.

  Reid surveyed the offered fare, taking a bowl of oatmeal. Colbert, Dexter, Ackley, Gordon, and Markis entered the room. They sat around the table, but no one talked as they grabbed fruit and bread off the platters. A moment later, Tatum entered, followed by Anna. Just being in the same room as her mother put Reid on edge. She didn’t trust the woman.

  Gordon cleared his throat, gaining everyone’s attention. “After breakfast, I’m leaving.”

  “I don’t want my brother traveling alone,” Ackley said. “I’m going with him.”

  Anna put her slice of toast down, observing Ackley. “I thought you wanted to be the one to kill Eldon?”

  “I do. When Gordon and his soldiers are close enough to the City of Radella, I’ll check in with you. I can infiltrate the palace then.”

  “In order to guarantee our success,” Anna said, “other men will be in place as well.”

  “I think that’s a wise plan,” Ackley replied.

  “I don’t think it’s safe for Reid or myself to remain here,” Dexter said. “Eldon will be searching for us. It seems logical he would have his men check Reid’s grandparents’ manor.”

  “I agree,” Anna said. “I want Reid to come with me. I will see to her safety.”

  Reid wondered if her mother intended to return to the Knights’ headquarters. “What of Grandfather and Grandmother?” she asked. Would they be safe from Eldon?

  “They will remain here,” Anna replied. “It would look suspicious if they weren’t home where they belong.”

  “Father, where do you plan to go?” Reid asked. Did he intend to remain in Axian or return to Ellington?

  “I am staying with your mother.”

  Anna stiffened. “I have no need for you here. You may go home.”

  “My home is where you are,” he replied. “Now that everything is changing, you don’t have to pretend to be dead any longer.” Hope shone in his eyes.

  Anna had her hair pulled back into a braid, not a single strand out of place. Her crisp tunic had no wrinkles in sight. “I have work to do here. I intend to have my family’s land, title, and rights restored. My daughter will sit on the throne. I am in charge of the Knights.”

  “Ackley can take over the Knights,” Duke Ellington suggested.

  At that, Anna raised her brows. “Ackley?”

  Duke Ellington nodded. “He is more than capable.”

  Ackley leaned back in his chair, watching Reid’s parents argue.

  “The Winston family has taken enough from me. I am in charge of the Knights. That will not change.” For the first time since Reid had met Anna, the woman’s voice shook slightly, as if filled with intense fury.

  “Brianna, be reasonable,” Tatum said.

  Anna twisted to face him. “I am not the Brianna from eighteen years ago. That girl is dead. I am a grown woman, and you are not my keeper.”

  Duke Ellington’s brows drew together in confusion. “Don’t you want to be a part of your family now that you can? You have five beautiful daughters.”

  “I am no longer your wife,” she hissed. “It is time for you to go.” She stood, then stalked from the room.

  Ackley whistled. “She never ceases to amaze me.”

  Ignoring that snide comment, Reid focused on her father. “Are you all right?”

  Absently, Duke Ellington nodded, his eyes vacant.

  “Dexter and I will escort you home. Then we can join the others at the City of Buckley.”

  “Yes,” the duke replied. “I think it is time for me to go home.” The lines around his eyes deepened.

  Reid had the urge to punch her mother for treating her father so rudely. However, Anna’s behavior didn’t surprise her. Anna was obviously an independent woman who had no desire to be tied to another person—not a husband and certainly not her daughters.

  “I’ll take Colbert to another location,” Markis said. “I have a few ideas of safe places we can go.”

  Reid rubbed her forehead. “And what of Princess Nara and Captain Gytha? Do we assume they’re all right? Or do we send someone to help them?”

  The corners of Dexter’s lips rose. “We assume they’re fine.”

  Henrick entered the room, carrying a bag.

  “Are you going somewhere?” Colbert asked.

  “I can’t stay here.” He patted Dexter on the back. “I also don’t think it’s wise for me to travel with either of my sons.”

  “Where do you plan to go?” Reid asked.

  “There’s a place for me,” he said. “But since I’m dead, no one can know where.”

  “What about Nara?” she asked.

  “We’ve already said our goodbyes.”

  Why were so many people disappointing Reid today? How could Henrick walk away from his wife? His marriage? His kids?

  Abruptly, Dexter stood and hugged his father, bidding him farewell. Colbert did the same. Neither tried to convince Henrick to stay.

  Chapter Three

  They set out after breakfast. Ackley and Gordon rode in front, Duke Ellington in the middle, and Reid and Dexter brought up the rear. Dexter insisted they stay off the main roads in case Eldon had soldiers searching for them.

  They traveled all day, barely speaking. Nervous and on edge, Reid kept scanning the nearby areas, on the lookout for threats—or a wagon with a broken wheel, like the assassins had used the last time to try to lure Reid and Dexter in. When it became too dark to safely navigate, they stopped. Since Dexter didn’t want to risk a fire, they ate the bread and cheese they’d brought with them. Afterward, they stretched out on the hard ground and slept.

  Ackley woke them before the sun crested the horizon. After another day of traversing over rolling green hills, they stopped just before suppertime.

  “You don’t want to ride for a few more hours?” Reid asked.

  “There’s a town up ahead,” Dexter explained as he dismounted. “If we skirt around it, it’ll take us an extra day to reach the Gast River.” He wiped his brow on his sleeve. “I’ll go ahead and scout the town to see if there are any Melenia or Marsden soldiers. I can’t imagine there are, but I want to be sure.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Ackley said.

  Dexter nodded. “Gordon, you remain here with the duke and Reid. We’ll be back in two hours.”

  Reid dismounted, watching Ackley and Dexter walk in the direction of the town. Taking hers and Dexter’s horses, she led them over to the stream so they could drink. After feeding and rubbing them down, Reid sat, leaning against a tree.

  Gordon announced he wanted to scout out the area to be sure no one was nearby. After he left, Duke Ellington sat across from his daughter.

  “It’s pretty here,” he said.

  They’d stopped in a valley. A stream cut through it with tall maple trees on either side. Clouds filled the sky, hinting at rain.

  “Can I ask you something?�
�

  Duke Ellington nodded.

  Reid picked up a stick, twirling it between her fingers. “Did you know Anna was in charge of the Knights?”

  He sighed. “Before agreeing to send her to Axian, I made her tell me why she wanted to go. She told me about the organization, and explained how her father needed her.”

  “A few weeks back, when you went to see if she’d help us, how’d you know where to find her?”

  “I didn’t. Shortly after I arrived in Axian for your wedding, I visited Gregor and Constance. I told them I wanted to see Brianna. After I explained how there were rumors of a foreign army in Marsden, I said it was imperative I speak with her. I told them I’d return to the manor in a couple of weeks, which is what I did.”

  “You don’t know where the Knights’ headquarters is located?” Reid tossed the stick on the ground, then wiped her hands on her pants.

  “No.” The wind ruffled his gray hair.

  Now for the question Reid had been pondering over since she’d left the manor. “Why do you think Anna doesn’t want a relationship with us?” And how could she have treated them so coldly?

  “I wish I could answer that for you. However, I fear I must admit to not knowing or understanding your mother as well as I thought I did.” He stood and faced the stream, his back to Reid. His fingers curled in, making two fists. “I take it back—that woman isn’t your mother. She may have given birth to you, but that’s it.”

  Reid wholeheartedly agreed. “I’m sorry she was so rude.” Considering Duke Ellington could expose Anna’s secret to the kingdom, Reid thought the woman would have been nicer to him. Not only that, but didn’t she feel anything for the man she’d had five children with?

  “Because of her, I have never been with another woman.” He slid his hands in his pockets, shoulders slumped.

  Reid had forgotten the promise he’d made Anna on her deathbed—that he’d never remarry. Now, Reid realized he couldn’t have. Not legally.

  “I thought she’d finish running the Knights and come back to me one day. I stayed true to her all these years.”

  Sadness filled Reid. Her father had sacrificed companionship on the slim chance he’d be reunited with his first love—a woman who had never and would never return that love. And when they’d finally been reunited, it hadn’t ended up as her father hoped it would. Anna had been cold, uncaring, and ambivalent to his feelings.