Hidden Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “Are you gonna complain about it?”

  “The only one complaining is you.”

  A smile spread across his face. “I forgot how much I enjoy your banter.”

  She adjusted her hands on the hilts of her swords, preparing for his attack.

  Knox removed his shirt, tossing it on the fence.

  “Is that necessary?” she asked. While it had stopped raining, heavy clouds still covered the sky, making the air chilly.

  He shrugged. “I always fight without a shirt.”

  She’d assumed that since he was now aware of her womanhood, he’d keep his shirt on for proprietary reasons.

  “What? Am I too distracting?” He winked.

  “You wish.” Instead of letting Knox strike first, she swung her right sword, knowing he’d shut up and block it.

  And just like that, they fell into their old routine. Reid had feared she’d be slower since she hadn’t used her swords in so long. However, the movements came back to her as naturally as breathing. If anything, Knox felt a little sluggish to her. “Maybe you’re the one who hasn’t practiced,” she teased.

  “I’ve maintained my daily drills,” he said, a huff to his voice she wasn’t familiar with. “It’s you who has improved.”

  “I’m not sure how that’s possible since I haven’t been training regularly.” She spun, missing his attack. Since his sword was heavy and his momentum was going forward, she easily came up behind him, one sword at his throat, the other at his stomach. “I win.”

  He nodded in acknowledgment. She’d never—never—won the first round against him.

  “You’re fighting with more confidence,” Knox said. “As if you know you’re going to win and are toying with me.”

  She shrugged. “Shall we have another bout?”

  “Of course. Can’t let you beat me once and have it go to your head.” He attacked faster than usual, his intent to beat her clear.

  Reid raised both swords, blocking his strike. When she lifted her right leg to kick him, he twisted, knocking her off balance. She landed in the mud. Clamoring to her feet, she faced him again. “Have you always held back when going against me?”

  “I have.” He circled her like a predator. “It seems I don’t have to anymore. I still wish you’d fight without your cap and shirt on though for different reasons now.”

  Instead of taking offense, she laughed, knowing he was just trying to throw her off. He swung his sword low, luring her in. Blocking with her left sword, she held her right at the ready, assuming he planned to punch her. When his right arm flew at her torso, she hit it with her sword and twisted, trying to get in closer to disarm him. He swept her legs out from under her, and she landed in the mud.

  Knox reached down. She took hold of his hand, and he pulled her to her feet.

  Reid caught sight of Dexter and Ackley sparring without weapons. Each man had a different body shape and fighting style. Yet, they were well matched. Where Dexter was all power, muscle, and brute strength, Ackley exhibited lean, cat-like precision.

  “Done?” Knox asked, pulling her attention from Dexter and Ackley’s match.

  “No,” she replied. “One more round to determine the winner.” Her arms shook slightly, but she wouldn’t let Knox know her muscles were tired. At least he had a sheen of sweat across his torso, revealing some exhaustion on his part.

  She flicked a chunk of mud off her hair, thankful most of it was caked to the back of her head so she could still see.

  “Hang on,” Knox said as he squatted to tie his boot.

  Reid removed her cap, tossing it off to the side. She didn’t like the shadow it cast over her face on this cloudy day. And, if she were being honest with herself, she’d gotten used to not wearing it.

  “Look at you.” Knox righted himself, pointing his sword at her. “I’ve never seen you remove a single article of clothing before.”

  “It’s a cap. That’s hardly clothing.” They started circling one another. She knew he was getting ready to attack—could see it in the way he shifted his fingers on the sword’s hilt as he widened his stance.

  She raised her swords, barely blocking his strike in time. He grinned, and she knew he was planning something. She jumped backward, out of striking range, narrowly missing his front kick. Instead of giving him a moment to regroup, she came at him with a series of attacks, trying to force him to make an error so she could have the upper hand. If she were going to have any hope of winning, she needed to disarm him. A plan formed. She pretended she could barely hold her swords up. He fell for it, trying to attack higher in order to wear her out faster. The second he went higher, she lashed out. Both swords on his wrist, she applied just enough pressure that he dropped his weapon.

  She stood, chest heaving, both swords now pointed at his torso. “Concede?” She grinned.

  He nodded. “I was holding back.”

  “What do you mean?” She sheathed her swords, feeling a blister already forming on her right hand.

  “Since I now know you’re a woman,” he said, “I went easier on you.”

  Eyes narrowing, she took a step closer to him. “I’ve fought you countless times over the years. You didn’t go easier on me.” If anything, he’d been harder and more intense.

  “But you’re a woman. You’re not as strong as a man.”

  Without intending to, she punched him, the hit landing on his cheek.

  He cursed. “What was that for?”

  Her hand hurt like hell. Cradling it to her chest, she tried not to scream. She should have punched him in the stomach, then she wouldn’t have hurt her knuckles.

  Ackley, Dexter, Gordon, and Idina all gaped at her with wide eyes.

  Embarrassed she’d lost her temper, Reid muttered, “He deserved it,” before climbing over the fence and exiting the sparring area.

  Grabbing her cap, she returned to where they’d left the horses. She wished Knox would have flown feet over head and landed on his back. That would have been more satisfying than the weak punch she’d delivered, barely making a mark while injuring her own hand in the process.

  “Reid,” Dexter called from behind her.

  Instead of facing him, she untied her horse, pretending she hadn’t heard him.

  He caught up to her, grabbing her hand. “Are you all right?” He examined her knuckles.

  “I’m fine.” She pulled her hand free, then mounted. “Where are the others?”

  “They’re going to head back to the castle in a moment.” He climbed on his horse. “I was hoping you’d show me more of the town.”

  “I’m just going to go home, too.”

  He steered his horse in front of hers, blocking the path. “I’d like to spend some time alone with you.”

  Reid adjusted the sheathes on either side of her legs. There was one place she wanted to visit before they left. “I’ll take you somewhere I spent countless hours throughout the years.” She led the way out of town, to the east, bypassing the castle and heading to the narrow pathway hidden between the trees. Since no one had been there recently, leaves covered the path, and the rain made it slightly muddy. At the top of the rise, she steered her horse toward the lake. Pausing at the shore, she scanned the area. Although it hadn’t changed a bit, it seemed smaller than before.

  After tying her horse to a tree, she removed her boots and socks, wadding into the frigid water.

  “This is your favorite place?” Dexter asked, removing his footgear as well.

  “It is.”

  He stood beside her. “It’s nice you have someplace so close to your home.”

  She closed her eyes, breathing in the smell of the pine trees. “Do you have a favorite spot?”

  When he chuckled, she peered at him.

  “I have a new favorite spot now.” He moved to stand before her.

  “You like my lake?”

  He shook his head. “The sparring area.”

  “At your military compound back home?”

  “No, the one we were j
ust at.”

  “Why?” It was nothing compared to his sparring area. That place had grass instead of mud, and it was a lot bigger.

  A dubious smile spread across Dexter’s face. He took a step closer to Reid, his hands settling on her hips. “Seeing you with those twin swords will be something I never forget.”

  He’d seen her fight before. She didn’t know why today was any different.

  “There’s something about you wielding a sword in each hand that has me all riled up.” His fingers dug into her hips, and he leaned his forehead against hers. “If I had known that was your weapon of choice, I would have gotten you twin swords back home.”

  She had no idea what to say. His presence was intoxicating, and she couldn’t think clearly.

  His lips moved to her left ear. “I’m not sure which was sexier…you making Knox yield or watching the fire in you flare to life, which led to that delightful punch.”

  Her face flamed red. While she knew how to punch, had done so numerous times during sparring matches, she’d never done so out of anger before.

  Dexter chuckled, the sound deep and throaty. He unlatched the belt holding her sheathes, tossing it on the ground.

  “What are you doing?” she squeaked, her heart pounding.

  He plucked the cap from her head, chucking it behind her. “You’re covered with mud.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “And I’m still picturing you with those swords.” He fingered the edge of her tunic, then pulled it over her head, leaving her in only a thin undershirt. His hands slid around her, then he delicately pressed his lips to her neck.

  She gasped, not expecting him to be so gentle. Then she felt him tilt backward, pulling her with him. She squealed as they fell into the water. When he released her, she stood, the water coming up to her waist.

  “I didn’t expect it to be so cold,” he said, laughing. He removed his wet tunic, tossing it on the shore. Then he removed his undershirt.

  All thoughts left Reid as she watched him ball up his shirt, tossing it alongside his tunic.

  “Thought we’d rinse the mud off.”

  Reaching up, she felt mud still caked on the back of her head. She ducked under the water, trying to get it off. When she resurfaced, Dexter was swimming about twenty feet away. Since it was hard to swim with pants on, she removed them, knowing he couldn’t see her under the water. She chucked them on the shoreline.

  “You shouldn’t have done that,” Dexter said, treading water fifteen feet away.

  “Why is that?” Her body started shaking from the frigid water.

  “Because that might have snapped the last of my self-control.”

  Had he gotten closer to her? Or was she moving in his direction?

  “Seeing you wield those swords was…well, it was the sexiest thing I’ve ever experienced. But knowing you’re here, in the water with me, with no pants on? I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to keep my hands to myself.”

  “But you’ve been around women fighting your entire life. Gytha is probably your best fighter.” So why would he find Reid sparring with Knox sexy?

  Dexter was only five feet away now. His dark eyes focused on Reid, making her want to melt into the water.

  “Have you ever considered Knox attractive while he’s fighting?”

  “No.” Knox was Knox. Reid had never found him remotely enticing.

  “Because you don’t have feelings for Knox.”

  Reid swallowed, understanding Dexter was admitting he had feelings for her. She didn’t know how to respond.

  He swam right in front of her, then stood, the water coming up to his shoulders. Too far out to touch the bottom, Reid continued to tread water, watching the man before her.

  “Gytha is one of my captains. She is a soldier and a friend. You, Reid Ellington, are…” He grabbed her waist, pulling her toward him. When her legs slid around his torso, his hands clasped her back, holding her body against his. “You are unexpected.” His lips enveloped hers.

  Reid found herself wanting more. She curled her fingers around his neck, pulling him to her.

  “Marry me,” he murmured against her lips.

  “I’ve already said yes.” Her legs tightened around him, and she tangled her hands in his wet hair.

  “No. I’m not asking Lady Reid Ellington to marry Prince Dexter Winston.” He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. “I’m asking you, Reid, to marry me, Dexter. Titles, land, and all that aside, I want you to want to marry me—the person.” His eyes seemed uncertain, vulnerable even.

  A droplet of water slid down the side of his face. Reid brushed it aside. “You’re saying even if you didn’t have to marry me, you’d want to?”

  “I thought that was obvious.”

  Her breath caught as she saw the desire emanating from him. She realized he was still waiting for her answer. “I don’t know how it happened, or when, but, at some point, I started to care for you.”

  “I don’t want you to care for me.”

  Reid covered his lips with her palm, silencing him. “I’m not done.” He playfully bit her finger, so she fastened her grip behind his neck again. “I’ve been afraid to fully trust and love another person.” The fact her father had lied about her mother’s death only exemplified that point. “I’m inexperienced with relationships, love, kissing.” Taking a deep breath, she decided to just come out and say it as plainly as she could so he would understand. “While I’ve been attracted to your…body…from the beginning, it wasn’t until I got to know you that I started to fall in love with you.” She placed her right hand on his bare chest, trying to explain. “At first, I didn’t understand it because I’d never been in love before. I’d been so careful to keep my secrets close, to never feel anything for another man and blow my cover. So when I started to see the type of person you are—passionate about your army, devoted to your family, protective of your county—I realized I’d already fallen for you without even realizing it.”

  He leaned his forehead against hers, trapping her hand between them as he gazed into her eyes. “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes. I’ll marry you.” She couldn’t believe she’d gone from an unwilling participant to wanting and desiring the man before her.

  He pressed his lips gently against hers. Then he deepened the kiss. One of his hands slid beneath her thin undershirt, pressing against her back.

  “You’re so cold you’re shaking,” he mumbled against her lips.

  The feel of Dexter consumed her so much she hadn’t thought about being cold. However, now that he’d said something, she realized she was trembling.

  “Let’s resume this next to a fire,” he said as he released her.

  A few things came to mind—one of those being that Ackley knew about this place. The last thing she wanted was for him to show up and see her and Dexter having a private moment. The second thing she feared was if Dexter started kissing her like that again, she wouldn’t have the self-control to stop him. She swam to the shore. “As tempting as that sounds, I think we need to head back before the others start worrying about us.”

  Dexter got out of the lake, shaking his head and spraying water everywhere.

  Reid stood on the shore with her arms covering her chest, trying to figure out how to get her tunic. The thin white material of her undershirt left little to the imagination, so she didn’t want to move her arms.

  Dexter reached down and picked up her dry tunic, handing it to her. Turning her back to him, she quickly put it on.

  “Too bad our wedding ceremony was interrupted,” he said, attempting to put his wet shirt back on.

  “Why is that?” She ran her hands through her hair, trying to remove the tangles.

  “Because then we’d be married already, and we could share a bed tonight. Because then I could take you as often as I like.”

  She recalled the conversation they’d had the night of their engagement announcement. That felt like a lifetime ago. “I thought you commissioned separate bedcha
mbers.” She tried to keep the smile from her voice.

  He took a step closer, and she took one back.

  “Besides,” she shrugged, “who’s to say I’m going to let you have your way with me whenever you want?”

  Dexter’s eyes gleamed as he stared Reid down, making her want to melt. He still hadn’t managed to get his shirt on. And she was standing there without pants. Leaning down, he whispered, “You’re right. You can have your way with me whenever you like. And the separate bedchambers on either side of our joined bedchamber is only to prevent others from hearing us.”

  Her legs almost gave out. It took every ounce of her self-control to remain upright. “We’ll see.” She smiled sweetly, issuing the challenge.

  “Yes,” he purred in her ear, “we will see.” With that, he stepped away, leaving Reid suddenly cold.

  Her wet pants didn’t want to cooperate. Nevertheless, Reid forced them on. When she finished, she joined Dexter by the horses.

  “Is there someone nearby who can marry us?” he asked.

  “You mean in the City of Dorsot?” Reid mounted her horse.

  “Yes. I want to marry you. Now.”

  She nodded. There was a man who could perform the ceremony. “I’d like for my father and sisters to be present for it.”

  “We’ll still have a large ceremony for our family, the dukes, and the leaders of the kingdom,” he said as he mounted. “However, I’d like a small, intimate ceremony with just us. Especially before we tackle the events before us.”

  “You know you don’t have to marry me to make sure I’m taken care of in the event something happens to you. You understand I’ll be fine no matter what, right?” Which wasn’t true. If something happened to him, she’d be devastated.

  “I wish to marry you because it’s something I want. And I rarely get to make my own decisions or do what I want. So I’m being selfish. If you’re not ready, I understand.”

  “It’s not that. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to marry me to protect me.”

  “I don’t.”

  They headed away from the lake, weaving between the trees. As they made their way back to the duke’s castle, Reid mulled over the idea of marrying Dexter now. It would be nice to get married in Ellington. Harlan could attend the wedding. And their wedding night would be private.