“You need to learn to use your femininity to your advantage.”
“That’s part of the problem.” Reid ran her hands through her hair. “I’m used to speaking when I want, behaving as I want, and not having to watch what I say. I find that when I put on a dress, those freedoms are stripped from me.” And she hated that feeling.
“Those aren’t necessarily freedoms,” Idina explained. “That’s all you know. It’s time you learn to be a woman. What you wear and how you move your body can be just as powerful, if not more so. You haven’t given your womanhood a chance. You may find you like it.”
Reid didn’t think so, but she refrained from saying anything.
“Put the dress on and fix your hair. It’s time you start playing your part.”
“What part is that?” Reid felt like she was missing something. Couldn’t she just be herself?
Idina came over, placing her hands on Reid’s shoulders. She whispered, “You’re Lady Reid.” Her eyes pointedly glanced at the ring on Reid’s finger. “Remind them of that.”
“What’s going on?” Why did she have to dress up, act like a woman, and play this part tonight?
“I heard my brothers arguing about you. I want you to walk into the great hall tonight as an elegant lady. I don’t want them to feel threatened by you.” With that, she left the room, leaving Reid trying to figure out what that was supposed to mean.
Instead of trying to understand Idina’s cryptic message, Reid took a quick bath. She exited the bathing chamber and found Sierra—the princess’s lady’s maid—there to help her get ready. Taking Idina’s advice, she instructed the woman to do something special with her hair. After she sat at the vanity, the woman twisted and braided Reid’s hair into an intricate updo. When Sierra finished, she applied face powder, spending extra time around Reid’s eyes. When an exhausted Sierra left, Reid looked at the mirror. She’d been transformed into a different person. No, not a different person—but a woman. Smiling, she exited her room and headed to the great hall.
Confidence filled her because she felt beautiful. It wasn’t something she was used to experiencing. The sleek red dress made her look older than eighteen. As she walked, the thin silk material swayed around her legs. The embroidered waist accentuated her curves.
She entered the great hall. There were over two dozen people in attendance.
Ackley was suddenly at her side. “You look stunning.”
Reid took his arm, and he escorted her farther into the room. “Thank you.”
“I need to talk to you about your next assignment,” he said, lowering his voice. “I’m receiving some inconsistent reports, and I need you to investigate. After supper, we’ll meet in the barracks. Idina will escort you.”
As if on cue, the princess joined them. “I’m glad to see you took my advice,” she said with a sly smile. “Gordon can’t keep his eyes off you.”
Gordon was standing near the hearth with his new wife at his side, neither one of them speaking. “I do not wish to have Prince Gordon’s attention. And I beg you to stop saying such things. He is married.” The idea of him sharing a bed with his wife made her want to vomit. She shoved the images away. Being in the same room as him and Dana was harder than she’d expected.
Idina linked arms with Reid, taking her away from Ackley. “You can’t tell me you don’t have feelings for my brother.” She looked sidelong at her. “He cares for you.”
“I may have felt the start of something once,” Reid whispered, “but those feelings are gone. He is married, and I am a Knight.”
“Did Ackley tell you about your next assignment?”
“He mentioned we’re meeting after supper to discuss it.”
“I’ll be honest, I’m not sure you’re capable of handling the job.”
That surprised Reid. “Why not?” After making her way to Axian and back, she felt like she could do anything.
Idina stopped before a large arched window overlooking the front of the castle. They were far enough away that no one could overhear their conversation. “Are you opposed to getting close to a man in order to gain information?” she asked, staring outside.
Reid blinked. “Do you mean as a woman?”
Idina rolled her eyes. “Yes, as a woman.”
“You want me to seduce a man?” Reid had never done anything along those lines before.
“Can you do it?” The princess tilted her head, observing Reid.
She ran her sweaty hands down the sides of her dress. “I thought as a Knight I would be doing spy work and investigating things in order to keep the kingdom safe.”
The corners of Idina’s lips pulled into a rueful smile. “Yes. That is exactly what you’ll be doing.”
“You want me to charm a man for information?”
Idina let out an exasperated sigh. “Will you just answer the question?”
“I don’t know. It’s not something I’ve ever tried to do before.” She’d have an easier time assassinating a man than seducing him.
“Let’s practice tonight then. I’ll pick a man for you to seduce.”
“No,” Reid practically yelled.
“Why not?” The princess folded her arms, waiting for Reid to answer.
“It’s not right.” She knew almost everyone in this room. Maybe if they were at a tavern with a room full of strangers. However, she would not disgrace her father’s name by acting inappropriately as Lady Reid Ellington.
Idina nodded, as if that was what she suspected. “That tells me everything I need to know.” She turned away so Reid couldn’t see her expression. After a minute, she faced Reid again, her face blank. “Come. It is time to eat.” She linked arms with Reid. They went to the table, joining everyone as they took their seats.
Reid forced herself to eat even though she wasn’t hungry. Not only did she need to speak with the king to deliver the box and procure the pardon and deed, but she also needed to get her next assignment from Ackley. And Reid was certain she would not like whatever it was he had planned for her.
Once everyone finished eating, Ackley stood. “I’m tired from the long journey, and I’m sure Lady Reid and my brother are exhausted as well. I propose we all retire for the evening.”
Everyone agreed, then began exiting the great hall.
“Lady Reid,” the king called.
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
He waved her over. “Do you have something for me?” he whispered.
“I do, Your Majesty.”
He closed his eyes and nodded, the relief apparent. “Go get it. I’ll meet you in my study.”
Reid hurried to her room. She reached between the mattresses, grabbing the box. Placing it on her bed, she removed the shirt covering it. Everything she’d done had led to this moment—the moment when she would finally obtain her father’s pardon and deed. Again, she thought she heard something rattling around inside the box. Not wanting to overthink it, she cradled it against her chest and went to the king’s study.
The room was richly decorated with a wooden desk, plush rugs, and several bookshelves. Eldon was already sitting at his desk waiting for her. She sat across from him.
The king drummed his fingers on the desk. “Well?”
She placed the box in front of him.
“Did you open it?” he asked carefully.
She shook her head. “I didn’t even try. I just took it and ran.”
“And once you were traveling with it? Did you open it to make sure you stole the correct box?”
She had a feeling he was testing her. “No, I did not. You told me not to open it, so I didn’t. Besides, the box is locked. It is just as you described. I found it in Prince Henrick’s bedchamber. I knew it was the right one when soldiers started chasing me.” She clutched her hands together, forcing her face to remain blank.
He stared at her for a minute before nodding. “Did you encounter anyone from the royal family while you were there?”
Again, she knew he was testing her. She needed to tell a
half-truth so he wouldn’t suspect anything. “Yes. The night I stole the box, there was some sort of festival going on. The entire royal family attended, which is why I was able to sneak into the palace.”
“And what did you think of the Axian royal family?”
Reid had to tread carefully. She pictured Dexter and shivered, wanting that emotion to show through. “I didn’t care for them.”
Eldon chuckled. “It is a vastly different way of life down there. The women run wild, and the Axian people aren’t as civilized as we are.”
“No, they are not.”
“I’ve been told my cousin, Prince Dexter, is the commander of their soldiers.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t see any evidence of an army while I was there.”
“Probably because he has all his soldiers stationed along our border.”
A lie, and Reid knew it. They sat there, staring at one another. He was challenging her to disagree with him, but she had no intention of doing so.
There was a soft knock on the door, and Leigh entered. “I have the key,” she said to Eldon, placing the key on top of the box.
He picked the key up, then inserted it into the lock. The lid clicked open.
All three leaned forward to peer inside the box. Sitting in the middle of the empty box was a single chess piece—the queen. And it looked like the piece from Reid’s chess set back home. Bloody hell. Since she wasn’t supposed to know what was inside, she had to force her face to remain neutral instead of showing her utter shock. In Axian, the box had been opened in front of her. She’d seen the letters inside. Then the box had been closed and locked. When she reached Ellington, she’d placed the box on her bookshelf.
Eldon looked at his mother. “You told me the proof was in here. I don’t understand how a chess piece solves anything.”
“Henrick must have removed the letters.” She reached forward, taking hold of the box and examining it. “The lock doesn’t look tampered with.”
“Is this a message?” Eldon demanded, picking up the queen and examining it. “Does this mean he intends to dethrone me?” His face turned red.
“I don’t know,” Leigh said, rubbing her forehead.
Eldon glared at Reid. “Did you take them?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Reid insisted. “You told me to retrieve the box, and that’s what I did.” She put her hands on the desk, trying to steady her racing heart.
“What’s that?” Leigh asked, pointing at Reid’s ring.
“My father gave this to me.” This ring prevented the king from having her arrested, killed, or tortured. If something happened to her, the king would have to answer to the dukes.
Reid could have sworn the corners of Leigh’s lips curled into a slight smile before she strode to the window, facing outside.
“You’ll have to go back,” Eldon said. “You’ll need to search the palace until you find the letters.”
“What letters?” Reid asked, pretending to be confused.
“Letters between my mother and Prince Henrick.” He leaned back in his chair, his hands folded behind his head.
“I can’t go back,” Reid said. “Security is tight within the palace. They saw me when I stole the box. If they see me again, I’ll be arrested.” Did this mean the king wouldn’t pardon her father or deed the land? Everything was falling apart. She needed to figure out where the letters went. They were in the box when she left Axian—she was certain of it.
The king cleared his throat. “Lady Reid, go to your bedchamber. You will remain there until further notice.”
She left, her mind reeling over possibilities of what happened to the letters.
Chapter Twenty-One
Someone knocked on Reid’s door. It had been a fortnight since she’d been sequestered to her bedchamber. Food was delivered three times a day, but no one came to visit her.
She answered the door. “The king wishes to speak to you in the throne room,” a soldier stated. “I’m to escort you.” He looked her over from head to toe. “You need to look presentable.”
Reid slammed the door on him. After quickly changing into a dress, she opened the door and followed the soldier. She’d spent enough time in her room thinking about the box. The only explanation she could come up with was Ackley. He must have snuck into her bedchamber in Ellington, found the box, somehow opened it, stole the letters, and placed the chess piece in there. Oh, and he’d managed to lock the box again. She had no idea how he did any of that—or how he’d known about the box in the first place. Unless he knew about it from Henrick. If they were both Knights, then it made sense Henrick would have told Ackley about it. However, that didn’t explain why Ackley would have stolen the letters. If he didn’t want Eldon to have them, then why not steal the box? Why did Henrick give Reid the box in the first place? None of it made any sense, and she wished someone would explain what was going on.
The doors to the throne room opened to reveal King Eldon on his throne chair with his wife, Queen Harlow, sitting next to him. To the king’s right, Prince Gordon, Princess Dana, and Prince Ackley stood. To the king’s left was Princess Idina and the Queen Mother Leigh. No one else was present. Reid couldn’t help but compare this royal family to the Axian one. A lovely floral scent wafted in the air, everyone was impeccably dressed as if going to a party, and formality rolled off each person. In Axian, each royal family member had been dressed either casually or in combat clothing, and they’d been anything but formal when receiving her.
The soldier closed the doors, leaving Reid alone with the Winston royal family. She strode down the aisle, feigning confidence. Stopping before the king and queen, she curtseyed. “Your Majesties.” Righting herself, she waited for one of them to speak.
“Lady Reid,” Eldon said, his voice echoing in the throne room. “Given your unique upbringing, you are in a position to help me. I need to know what’s going on in my uncle’s palace. I need for you to procure the items we discussed earlier. Therefore, I am sending you to Axian as a spy.”
“Surely you have trained soldiers for that sort of thing,” Reid replied. “I’ve been raised to manage land, not spy.” There was no way she could spy on the Axian royal family since they always seemed to be one step ahead of her. “And I’m not sure my father will approve.”
“Funny you should mention him. I have already spoken to Duke Ellington, and the arrangements have been made. Your father, in exchange for a pardon and to have his land deeded to the heir of his choice, has agreed to a marriage proposal.”
After all these years, her father was getting remarried? That had to have been hard for him to agree to, especially since he’d promised his late wife he’d never remarry. However, he would do it to protect Reid.
“Lady Reid,” Eldon declared, “you will marry Prince Dexter Winston of Axian.”
“What?” Because she must have heard the king incorrectly.
“I wrote to my uncle, and we’ve agreed. You will marry my cousin, Dexter.”
This could not be happening.
“I don’t understand,” Ackley said, taking the words right out of Reid’s mouth.
“Prince Henrick sent a letter to each of the dukes in Marsden, offering his son as a truce,” the king explained. “If one of the dukes had an eligible daughter, he offered a marriage with Dexter as a showing of good will. He said it would prove he had no intention of invading northern Marsden. However, I think he simply offered to send Dexter into northern Marsden to spy. By taking the prince up on his offer, and telling him Lady Reid will go to Axian in order to keep Dexter there, not only have I headed off my uncle, but I’ve also managed to embed a spy right into his palace. When I asked Duke Ellington if he’d agree to the arrangement, he was eager to comply and aid his king.” Eldon reached over to squeeze his wife’s hand. “Gordon, you are to escort Lady Reid to the main harbor at Lake Folme. My uncle, Prince Henrick, has sent a boat to fetch his soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Lady Reid, you are dismissed.”
Her
legs wouldn’t move. She was too stunned. Surely this could not be happening.
King Eldon stood and strode from the room, his wife following him.
Blackness hovered at the edges of Reid’s vision. Her father had signed a contract, giving her to Prince Dexter. Like a piece of property. The room seemed to spin around her. Reid closed her eyes, refusing to faint. She was stronger than that. Someone clutched her arm, holding her upright. She opened her eyes to find Gordon at her side.
“Let’s go,” he said. “I’ll have Mirage saddled for you. Get your things. I’ll meet you at the stables in twenty minutes.” The second they were in the hallway, he released her and hurried away.
Ackley and Idina stood on either side of her. They made their way through the castle to Reid’s bedchamber.
“I don’t want to get married.” Especially to Dexter, a man Reid barely knew. She sat on her bed, massaging her temple.
“Well, no woman ever wants to be forced to marry,” Idina said. “But we have little choice in the matter. At least you’re marrying a prince. That counts for something.” She sat next to Reid, rubbing her back.
“I don’t care about status.” Reid glanced over at Ackley, leaning against the wall. “What do you suggest I do?”
“Marry Dexter.” Ackley shrugged. “I’ll set up a way for you to get messages to me. It’ll probably be through someone in the city. At a bookstore, maybe. You’ll leave messages in a particular book. I’ll have one of my men fetch it.” He went over to the armoire and withdrew her bag, tossing it to her.
Catching it, Reid stood and started packing the few items she’d brought with her. “I’ll be right back.” She started walking to the bathing room, carrying pants and a tunic.
“What are you doing?” Idina asked, blocking the doorway.
“I am going to change for my journey.”
“Into men’s clothing?”
Reid would prefer to change into her Axian clothing, but she couldn’t wear those items in northern Marsden. No one would understand. “It’s not like I can wear a dress and ride a horse at the same time.”
Realm of Knights Page 24
