Around midday, the majority of the soldiers veered east, heading toward the pass-through in the Modig Mountains. Owen, Gordon, and Ackley accompanied them.
A small contingent of fifty now traveled with the duchesses and royal family members to Lake Folme, where they would cross in small boats. Both groups would reconvene in three days.
When they reached the lake, Reid patiently waited her turn. When Dexter ordered her on a boat, she climbed in and sat. Gytha jumped in beside her.
“It takes forever to travel with so many people,” Reid complained.
“You’re bored because you don’t have a job to do,” Gytha pointed out.
Reid blinked, realization sinking in. “Why don’t I have a job?”
She shrugged. “That is a question for your husband, not me.”
As they made their way across the lake, Reid couldn’t help but think about the last time she’d made this trip. She’d been about to meet her fiancé, whom she’d wanted nothing to do with. She’d also thought she was on an exciting mission for the Knights. She remembered clutching the bag holding her next assignment. So much had changed since then.
When they reached the dock, Gytha disembarked. “It is good to be on familiar land.”
Reid climbed out of the boat, following Gytha to the gathering place of those who had already crossed.
An odd sensation filled Reid. She glanced around, looking for someone or something out of place. She didn’t see anything. “Gytha,” she said to her friend. “Why didn’t we go with the other soldiers?” Why had they split the group in two? She understood they all couldn’t cross via the lake since there weren’t many boats. But why couldn’t they have all gone through the mountain pass?
“Someone pointed out the trek up the steps would be too difficult for the duchesses.” Gytha tilted her head, assessing Reid. “Is everything all right?”
Reid nodded.
Once everyone had crossed, they traveled a bit farther until they reached the spot where they were to meet up with the rest of the army. After they set up camp, Reid crawled into her tent, snuggling under the blankets. A few minutes later, Dexter joined her.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you all day,” he said as he nuzzled her neck. The temperature had dropped, making the air frigid.
His cold nose tickled her skin. Twisting toward him, she was about to place a kiss on his cheek when the odd sensation she’d had earlier returned. What could be making her feel off-kilter?
“What is it?” Dexter asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Always trust your instinct.” He propped his head on his hand, waiting for her to explain.
She realized what was bothering her. “Is the way we’re traveling expected?”
“What do you mean?”
“Assuming Eldon knows we’re coming for him and he wants to plan a counterattack, would he be able to figure out the route we’re taking?” Since they’d arrived in Axian, she feared they were walking into a trap. After all, that was what they’d done to the king during his journey to the palace when they’d tried to assassinate him.
“There are only so many ways to travel with this large of an army. That’s why it’s important to be vigilant.”
“I understand.” However, they’d split the army into two groups, and she was currently with the smaller one. If there was going to be an attack, striking the group she was with would be most effective.
“I always worry before a fight or a battle.” He rubbed her arm. “I’m always afraid I missed something. It’s normal to second guess yourself.”
“How do you feel right now?” she asked. “Are you nervous?”
“Of course. I’m worried something will happen to you, my mother, my brother, my men. I’m responsible for everyone here. If something goes wrong, that’s on me.”
In the darkness, she could just make out the outline of his face. “Being in a leadership role is tough.”
“Yes, it is.” He kissed her shoulder. Then his lips trailed up her neck to her own lips.
Rolling her onto her back, Dexter slid his leg over her thigh. Her hands roamed over his shoulders. Something hard poked her back. “Hang on.”
“That’s not what I want to hear right now,” he murmured between kisses.
“Something is under my bedroll.” She reached below her bedding, searching for the stick or whatever it was digging into her back. Her fingers came across metal. “Did you seriously put a dagger under my pillow for me?” She withdrew her hand, half amused he’d left her a gift like that.
Dexter went unnaturally still. “No. I have one beside me, but I didn’t put one over by you.”
“Maybe Gytha put it there?” When she went to reach back under to withdraw the weapon, Dexter grabbed her wrist.
“Wait.” He lit a candle.
Reid moved off her bedding, kneeling on Dexter’s while he examined the area around them. He pulled back the blankets, revealing the dagger. When he placed the candle closer, Reid hissed. Thorns were carved onto the hilt, a rose etched on the crossguard, and an intricate pattern covered the blade.
“What is it?” Dexter demanded.
Yanking up her sleeve, she revealed her tattoo. “It’s the exact same,” she whispered. “What do you think it means?”
Grabbing a discarded sock, he used it to lift the dagger from the ground. “There’s a piece of paper.” He set the dagger down. “Do you want it?”
Reid wasn’t sure.
Dexter gingerly lifted the paper, unfolding it. “It says, Don’t forget your oath. When the time comes, I expect you to do your job.”
“Where’s Victor?” she asked.
“He’s with Ackley. Why?”
“Do you think she did this?”
“Anna?”
Reid nodded.
“I don’t know.”
If Anna could sneak in, plant the dagger in Reid’s own tent, and slip away unnoticed, Reid had no hope of ever being safe with Anna alive.
“Do you think she intends for you to kill me?”
“Yes.” Anna wouldn’t stop until she eliminated the entire Winston family. The problem was that now Reid had married Dexter, she was a Winston as well. Did Anna intend to kill Reid, too?
Dexter snuffed out the candle, then poked his head outside the tent. Reid heard him talking with the two posted guards. When he came back inside, he informed her that he’d requested two additional guards so there was someone on each side of the tent. He then wrapped the dagger in his sock, placing it in Reid’s bag.
He laid down. “Do you remember the night we announced our engagement to the City of Radella?”
When Reid stretched out next to him, he wrapped his arm around her body, her back resting against his chest. “I do.”
“I told you I didn’t want to fall in love because then I would be a slave.”
Reid remembered him saying something along those lines.
“I feared if I loved a woman, she could be used against me.”
Now that Reid was in her current predicament, she realized he had a valid point.
“What I never understood is how the opposite can be true as well.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“As scared as I am of something happening to you, I feel more empowered because I have you by my side. You make me stronger. You make me a better man.”
Reid had no idea what to say to that.
“I promise that once Eldon is dealt with, we’ll face your mother together.”
She squeezed his hand, feeling a sense of comfort, peace, and happiness she’d never felt before.
The following day, the duchesses each expressed a desire to learn the art of weaponry. Dexter jumped at the chance to teach the women some basic moves with a sword and dagger. That evening, after the sun set, most people turned in early. Reid and Dexter crawled into their tent, eager for a few minutes alone.
“Who’s there?” Dexter demanded as he shoved Reid behind him while simultaneously with
drawing his sword.
“Keep your voice down,” Gordon hissed. “No one can know we’re here.”
Reid’s heart skipped a beat—she hadn’t expected anyone to be in there—especially Gordon since he was supposed to be traveling with the army. After quickly lighting a candle, she scanned the tent, seeing Ackley and Owen were there as well, the three of them crouched alongside the back wall.
Dexter put his sword down. “What’s going on?” His whispered voice revealed a hint of panic.
“The bridge at the pass-through was gone,” Ackley revealed. “We can’t cross the Modig Mountains that way.”
Which meant someone destroyed it on purpose. Reid had been there not long ago with Harlan, and the bridge had been in impeccable condition.
“I sent the army west while we came here to see what you wanted to do. The soldiers can cross the Gast River at the bridge in Ellington.”
“I’m not certain the bridge could withstand so many crossing it,” Reid said.
“I agree,” Gordon replied. “The only other option is the lake, but that will take far too long to get that many across with our limited number of boats.”
Reid rubbed her temple, wondering who would have done this. Eldon or Anna?
“Continue to have the soldiers proceed west,” Dexter ordered. “Pretend as if they’re going to cross the bridge in Ellington. As your men travel along the Gast River, I want a unit of men stationed every mile or so. I don’t want to be taken by surprise if Eldon is planning something.”
“I think that’s a wise move,” Gordon replied.
“While the soldiers are making a big production of going west,” Ackley said, “what do you really intend to do?”
Dexter smiled. “We’re going to sneak into the palace and catch Eldon off guard.”
“Do not forget, my soldiers can help,” Owen stated.
“Or provide the cover we need to sneak in,” Reid suggested.
“We should assume someone is watching this camp, reporting back to the king,” Gordon said.
“Our plan will only work if everyone believes we’re still here,” Ackley pointed out. “Which means we’ll have to sneak out of here under the cover of night. We’ll need to travel quickly and without being seen.”
“The only issue I have is the duchesses,” Dexter said.
“I can remain behind to guard them,” Gordon offered.
Dexter shook his head. “When we reach the palace, we can only legally remove the king with the duchesses invoking the power the rings give them to make such a choice.”
“Then we’ll take them with us,” Reid said.
Ackley snorted. “We’re supposed to do this stealthily.”
“Since Duchess Lyndr isn’t here, that leaves only seven women besides me.” Reid held up her ring, indicating she could speak on her father’s behalf. “There are four of you. I think we can do it.” The only thing would be if the duchesses believed they could.
“I don’t know,” Gordon said, shaking his head.
“You don’t give them enough credit.” Reid folded her arms. “Why don’t we at least consult them and go from there?”
“I think that’s wise,” Dexter replied.
“I’ll speak with them,” Ackley said, getting to his feet. “Once I’m done, I’ll come back here.” Donning a black cape, he slid out of the tent, blending in with the night.
“Do you know where your men are stationed?” Dexter asked Owen.
“Most are just outside the City of Radella. However, Eldon has about a hundred on the palace lawn. I think that’s all we’ll need.”
“When are we going to leave?” Reid asked.
“Tonight,” Gordon stated. “We don’t have any time to waste.”
“Do you think Princess Idina will be safe here?” Owen inquired.
“There are over fifty soldiers at this camp,” Gordon said. “My sister will be fine.”
Reid chuckled. “If anything, she’ll be running this camp.”
Owen smiled.
“Idina will remain here with my mother and Princess Nara,” Gordon said.
“We’ll take Gytha and Harlan with us,” Dexter added. He knelt, then started shoving supplies in his traveling bag.
“Harlan?” Reid asked, surprised Dexter wanted to take him along. Granted, Harlan knew how to fight, but he wasn’t a soldier.
“After what happened with the Ellington soldiers and the sleep tonic,” Dexter replied, “I like having Harlan close by.”
It turned out all the duchesses wanted to accompany them to the City of Radella. Not a single one balked at the idea of traveling at night. Dexter insisted the women wear armor, so Ackley rounded up seven soldiers who happily donated their clothing and armor to the women. Then Dexter asked those same men to reside in the duchesses’ tents, pretending to be the duchesses, ill from something they ate. He wanted them to remain in the tents, out of sight, for as long as possible. His hope was if someone were watching the camp, they’d assume the duchesses were ill, not gone.
Once everyone was ready, Dexter paired them up, one proficient fighter with one duchess. He placed Reid with Duchess Tucker. Then, each pair left the tent ten minutes apart, pretending to be soldiers on patrol, heading directly south. Once all fourteen regrouped, they began their trek to the City of Radella.
They traveled for the rest of the night, stopping only when the sun started to rise. After finding what Dexter deemed a secure location, they slept until sunset. Then they woke and headed out, traveling as fast as they could under the cover of darkness while avoiding all towns and farms.
After five nights, they reached the outskirts of the City of Radella. Dexter led them to an abandoned shed. When he opened the door, a familiar person awaited them.
“It’s about time you showed up.”
Chapter Nineteen
Reid couldn’t believe Seb was there.
“The men are in place,” Seb said, tossing a sword to Dexter, who deftly caught it.
“Excellent.” He removed the sword strapped to his waist, sheathing the new one in its place. “Get everyone here loaded up.”
“Gladly.” Seb turned, revealing a shed stocked with hundreds of weapons. He started distributing knives to the duchesses.
“You knew Seb would be here?” Reid asked Dexter.
“I sent him ahead of us,” he said as if that explained everything.
“What men does he refer to?”
“The men and women you met at the meeting.”
The revolutionaries as Reid had called them.
Once everyone had been supplied with more than enough weapons, the group continued toward the city, Owen leading the way. At the first set of buildings, a low whistle rang out. Owen answered it with a higher-pitched one.
A Melenia soldier stepped out of the shadows. “Prince Owen?”
“Yes, along with some others. See that we’re not followed. I need to speak with Commander Beck.”
The man nodded. “I’ll escort you to the commander myself.”
Even though it was night, the duchesses examined their surroundings with wide eyes. Unlike home, the roads were paved, and the city had a clean and orderly feel to it. Most buildings were anywhere from two to five stories tall, and they were made from smooth stones in an assortment of colors and textures.
After the Melenia soldier whistled, a dozen soldiers joined them. He quickly repeated Owen’s instructions. Half moved back into the shadows, presumably watching the roads to ensure no one followed. The other half escorted their group. They took the smaller roads instead of the main ones cutting through the city. When the palace came into sight, they stopped, pressing against one of the buildings.
Reid couldn’t believe what she saw. Instead of the beautiful, green lawn surrounding the palace, tents covered the entire area and soldiers milled about. At least a dozen campfires lit the sky.
One of the soldiers whistled, and another soldier joined them, briefing Owen on the situation. When he finished, Owen addre
ssed the group.
“The camp is comprised of soldiers from Melenia, Lyndr, and Marsden,” he explained. “We’re going to split into three groups, so we don’t attract unwanted attention. One of my men will lead each group to the commander’s tent. Be on guard.”
They all agreed. Reid was grouped with Dexter, Harlan, Gytha, and Duchess Tucker.
“Lead the way,” Dexter said to the soldier who approached them.
He gestured for them to follow. They stepped out of the shadows, heading for the east end of the camp.
Reid made a point to keep her head down and to walk quickly, like she had somewhere to be. As she made her way through the camp, she clutched a dagger in the palm of her hand, just in case. The soldier led their group through a maze of tents, around soldiers, and past men cooking at campfires.
When they reached one of the larger tents, the soldier had them wait on the side of it until the other two groups arrived. When they did, Owen and Dexter ducked inside while everyone else remained outside the tent, waiting in the shadows. Thankfully, the Melenia soldiers who guarded the area studiously ignored them.
Angry voices came from within the tent. Reid looked at the soldiers, wondering if they planned to see what was going on. The men eyed one another, but they made no move to intervene.
“Dexter is a strong fighter,” Gytha murmured beside Reid. “You don’t need to worry about him.”
Reid nodded, knowing he could fend for himself, but still anxious. After another five minutes passed, she started pacing to prevent herself from storming in there to check on her husband.
Dexter exited the tent, cleared his throat, and straightened his tunic. He waved them inside.
Reid quickly ducked into the tent, the others following. The tent contained a large, round table with papers strewn about it. Behind that, there was a desk, a cot, and another table. Off to the side, Owen stood over a tied-up Commander Beck, his foot on the man’s chest.
The duchesses convened around the table, examining everything.
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