“To avoid a war with King Eldon.”
“Yet, we both know we’re headed in that direction anyway.”
“He is a new king. My father thinks Eldon is testing our loyalty to him.”
“Are you?” She knew Axian didn’t follow all the laws of northern Marsden.
“We have functioned as our own kingdom for twenty-five years. Not once has the king demanded we pay taxes, provide soldiers, or even spoken to us. We have lived on our own and in peace.”
That didn’t answer her question. “Are you aware of Eldon’s lineage?”
Dexter’s eyes narrowed. “I am.” He took a step closer, towering over her.
Reid didn’t back away. “Are you aware your father wrote to all the dukes and said if any had a daughter of marriageable age, he’d marry you off to her to show he didn’t want to go to war? He also said he’d send you to live in that county as a show of good faith.” Suddenly, it became clear why the Knights wanted to know who Henrick’s heir was. If Dexter were the heir, Henrick would have never offered to send him to another county. But if he declared Eldon—his firstborn son—as his heir, then it made sense to offer Dexter.
“What is it?” the prince demanded.
“Nothing.” Reid worked to erase the shock from her face. If Henrick declared Eldon his heir, then a war between northern Marsden and Axian was pointless. Even if Henrick was the rightful king of Marsden, Eldon would eventually inherit the title and throne. Where did the Knights stand in this? The law stated a son couldn’t hold his father’s title until the father died. Which meant Eldon couldn’t inherit until Henrick passed. However, was it worth inciting a civil war when the outcome would be the same no matter who the victor was? Wouldn’t it be better to let Eldon remain on the throne? Reid’s head started to pound.
“It’s not nothing,” Dexter said. “You just figured something out, and you don’t want to tell me what it is.”
“How can you expect me to confide in you when you don’t even trust me?”
“Of course I don’t trust you. You broke into my home. Twice. And you work for the king.”
“I don’t work for the king.”
“Who do you work for, then?”
She shook her head, refusing to answer. How could she gain this man’s trust when he was determined to hate her?
Reaching out, he grabbed her hands. She yelped in surprise, trying to yank away, but he shoved her sleeves up, examining her wrists.
Her heart pounded. Was he looking for the mark of a Knight? If so, how did he know about the Knights? From his father? Thankfully, her tattoo wasn’t in the same place as other Knights. Since she was a woman, Ackley had her tattoo placed higher up, near her elbow, so it would be less visible.
She used the opportunity to glance at Dexter’s arms. Each of his inner wrists was tattooed with odd writing she couldn’t decipher.
When he released her, they stared at one another, both wary.
Dexter shoved his chin to the side, cracking his neck. “Your response to my grabbing you wasn’t what I expected it to be.” He examined her from head to toe, eyes assessing. “It’s almost as if you knew what I was doing and why.”
Reid tried not to flinch under his scrutiny. Somehow, he knew about the Knights—she was sure of it. “When I broke into your parents’ bedchamber, your mother took my hands and examined them, just like you did. She said she was searching for evidence of poison. I assumed you were doing the same.” In hindsight, she should have protested when he grabbed her wrists. However, she’d been too shocked at the realization of why he was doing it.
He took a slow, menacing step toward her, invading her personal space. “Tell me, Lady Reid, how did you come to be the king’s only female employee and personal lackey?”
Chapter Four
Reid took an involuntary step away from Dexter, his words ringing in her head. What was he implying? As soon as she arrived at the palace, she planned to send her father a strongly worded letter asking why he’d agreed to this absurd match. But she already knew. Besides this union being used to keep her safe and out of the king’s clutches, Duke Ellington had been granted his pardon and deed. And most people in northern Marsden had arranged marriages.
Her heart ached. Her father had consented to this marriage without asking what Reid wanted, which was typical of how her entire life had been up to this point. It was all about doing what was best for the family. Not once had Reid done anything for herself. Why did the men in her life assume they could make decisions for her? Why had no one ever asked what she wanted?
Tears threatened. Reid blinked them away, not wanting to cry in front of Dexter. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he intimidated her. Shifting away from him, she focused on the stream. I will not cry, she ordered herself, blinking to clear her suddenly hazy vision. “Is there anything else? If not, I’d like for you to leave me alone.”
“Gladly.” He stomped away, mumbling as he went.
Reid knelt, taking in a deep, steadying breath. Her fingers twined in the grass. She held on, trying to calm herself. Everything felt wrong. It was like someone had tossed her from a boat, leaving her to thrash about in the water as she tried to figure out which way was up.
“Lady Reid,” Gytha called from the top of the rise. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll be right there.” Reid’s voice shook. She couldn’t believe she was on the verge of having a breakdown. Her sisters all had the occasional crying fit for no apparent reason, but not her. At least not until now. But she had a reason. Reasons. However, being raised as a boy had taught Reid not to show any emotions. After taking another deep breath, she stood.
“The commander can be a little intimidating,” Gytha said as Reid walked up the hill to join her. “It’s one of the traits I admire most about him.”
Was Gytha trying to console or discourage Reid?
“You’ll get used to it.” Gytha smirked. “Eventually.”
While Reid loved Axian and all it had to offer, she did not appreciate being sold off like a piece of property, and she refused to be treated as such. Purposefully stepping around Gytha without acknowledging her, Reid joined the others. “Well?” she asked the group before her. “Are we going to head out?” Her words came out sharper than she’d intended, her irritation seeping through her voice.
“First, we’ll eat,” a soldier answered. “Then we’ll travel into the city once it’s dark.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s what the commander wants,” another answered.
A fire already roared, and two soldiers began preparing a meal.
Reid shrugged, then plopped on the ground next to Markis. “Where are you stationed at? The City of Radella or somewhere else?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I’m just curious.” Seriously, why wouldn’t anyone give her a straight answer? Did they all assume she was a spy? “When I get to the palace, am I free to do as I wish?”
“Pardon?”
“Am I allowed to join the army? Can I have a job? Will I even be allowed to roam free?”
“I have no idea.” Markis scratched his head. “I guess so?”
If the kingdom of Axian treated women as equals, then she should be able to do as she wished without needing her future husband’s permission. When she’d met Nara, the princess had on leather armor. Reid doubted the warrior woman sat around the palace knitting all day.
“Why are you smiling?” Markis asked. “Am I missing something?”
“I’m going to be able to be a woman in public, dress as I want, and work.” The part about her having to marry—especially a man she didn’t care for—she’d locked in a box to be dealt with at another time. For now, she would focus on the positive.
He leaned back, his hands hitting his bow.
“Can you teach me to shoot?” Her father had taught her years ago. However, she’d never taken to the bow and much preferred swords.
“Once you’re settled in, come find me at the
military compound. I’ll take you to the range there to practice.”
“Couldn’t you teach me now?”
“Oh.” He glanced around. “Sure.”
Reid jumped to her feet, pulling Markis up alongside her.
He picked up his bow and quiver. “Let’s move farther away from everyone.” A cluster of boulders stood about fifty yards to the east. They headed that way. “We’ll use the moss on that boulder as our target,” he said, handing Reid the bow.
She observed the mossy mound, about a foot in diameter, which clung to the side of the boulder.
“Here’s an arrow. Do you know how to nock it?”
“Yes.” She took it, placed it in the bow, and aimed.
“Don’t release the arrow,” he warned. “I just want you to get a feel for holding the bow and aiming it correctly.”
The bowstring was tighter than she remembered, and she had difficulty drawing it.
“It’s a little big for you,” Markis said as he adjusted her arm a little higher.
Someone approached them. However, Reid kept her focus on the moss, not caring to talk to anyone besides Markis at the moment.
“The commander wants you two to remain with everyone else,” Gytha called from where she’d stopped about twenty feet away.
“We’ll be right there,” Markis responded.
He put his right hand on Reid’s back, then placed his left hand under her elbow, adjusting the bow slightly. “You want to make sure your dominant eye is aligned with your arrow.”
While it felt as if he’d raised her left arm too high, when she looked down the arrow at the target, she could see it was aimed at the center of the moss. “Got it.”
He let his hands drop to his sides. “When we’re at the palace, you can join me at the archery range to practice.”
“I’d like that.” She lowered the bow, then handed it back to him.
He slung it over his shoulder, and they returned to the group. Food was distributed, so Reid took a bowl and sat near the fire, sipping her soup. Glancing up, she noticed Markis was no longer there. He’d been beside her only a moment ago. After a minute, she found him. He stood off to the side, speaking quietly with Gytha. They kept glancing in Reid’s direction, so she assumed they were talking about her. Gytha was probably scolding Markis for teaching Reid how to shoot. After all, Reid was a spy.
Markis nodded, then went over and claimed his bowl of soup. Without looking in Reid’s direction, he sat across from her, on the other side of the fire. Since no one else had befriended her, she had no one to talk to as she ate. Sadness crept its way into Reid. Instead of dwelling on her loneliness, she tried to focus on the positive. They’d almost reached the palace. Maybe, just maybe, she could get to know Nara better. That prospect immediately lightened her somber mood.
Once the sky turned dark, Dexter gave the order to pack up. Reid mounted her horse, making sure to tuck the material of her dresses around her skin. A few spots on her legs had been chafed raw. While it hurt, there wasn’t much she could do about it. At least she’d be at the palace in a few hours. Hopefully, she’d have the opportunity to bathe then.
They set out in their usual formation. However, instead of Markis riding alongside Reid as he had the entire journey, a female soldier took his place. Markis now rode at the back. It was obvious they’d been purposefully separated, and that infuriated her. Was she not allowed to have a single friend in Axian?
When they finally reached the city, Reid estimated it was well past midnight. Most buildings were dark, and no one was out and about. The only sound was the clicking of the horses’ hooves. Dexter had them swing around and approach the palace from the west since the stables were located there. When they entered the building, the sweet smell of hay reminded Reid of home. She dismounted, then untied her bag from the horse. A stable hand rushed over, taking the reins from her before leading the horse into an empty stall.
She caught a glimpse of Markis unpacking his supplies from his saddlebag, seeming to purposefully avoid looking her way.
“Lady Reid?” a young woman asked.
“Yes?”
“My name is Joce. I’ll be your lady’s maid.”
Reid blinked. She’d never had a personal servant before. She was accustomed to taking care of herself. Maybe the royal family wanted to have someone in Reid’s room to watch her. A spy for the spy. If she weren’t so exhausted, she might have laughed.
“This way,” Joce said.
Reid followed her out of the stables and into the palace. At this late hour, most hallways were dark, lit only by the moon shining in the windows. Joce took Reid up to the fourth floor, which surprised her. The royal family’s rooms were located on this level. She’d assumed she would be on a lower floor where the guest suites were. Joce turned down another corridor. Since it was dark and they’d taken the main staircase, Reid wasn’t sure where she was in relation to the prince and princess’s bedchamber.
“This will be your suite until the wedding,” Joce said, opening a door and ushering Reid inside.
The wedding. Reid had been careful not to think about that upcoming event. “Do you know when it is set to take place?” Hopefully, it wouldn’t be for a few weeks. She needed time to get her bearings.
“The engagement hasn’t been announced, so you have some time.”
Relief filled her.
“The bedchamber is the room on the left, the bathing chamber to the right. This is the sitting room. Would you like me to light a few candles so you can see everything?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Reid replied. “However, I would like to bathe if it’s not too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all, my lady.” Joce curtsied, then went into the bathing chamber.
Just enough moonlight filtered in to reveal two sofas and a low table situated in the center. A desk was off to the side. Reid peeked into the bedchamber, but the curtains were drawn, blocking out the light.
“Do you need help undressing?” Joce asked from behind Reid.
“No, I’m good. I would like something to sleep in, though,” she said, dropping her bag just inside the bedchamber.
“I’ll light a candle or two so you can see.” Joce stepped around Reid to enter the bedchamber. “When it became clear you’d arrive before your personal items, Princess Nara made sure to supply you with everything you’ll need.” Joce lit a handful of candles, then faced Reid. “Your sleeping clothes are in the armoire. Will you require anything else before I retire for the night?”
“No, that will be all. Thank you.”
Joce curtsied, then left.
Not wanting to get her bedchamber dirty, Reid went straight to her bathing chamber. She peeled off the filthy, tattered dresses, leaving them on the floor, then stepped into the blessedly hot water, sinking down into the tub. She’d never felt anything quite so wonderful. Knowing she was on the verge of falling asleep, she quickly washed herself before getting out. After drying off, she hurried to her bedchamber.
With the candles lit, she could see the deep blue curtains at the head of the four-poster bed, an armoire set next to it. A closet on the opposite wall caught her eye. Excitement coursed through her. Nara had picked out Reid’s wardrobe.
She rushed over to the closet, throwing open the door, then coming to an abrupt halt. Instead of the sleek Axian warrior clothing she’d expected, the inside held only dresses. Dresses! What had Nara been thinking? The princess knew Reid had been raised as a boy. Had she assumed because Reid had grown up wearing pants that she wanted to wear dresses now? Frustrated, Reid growled. Why was nothing going her way?
Exiting the closet, she went over to the armoire. After she found a nightdress and pulled it on, she climbed into bed, not even bothering to get under the blankets. She fell asleep in seconds.
Reid awoke, stretching her arms above her head. After spending so many nights on the ground, the bed felt wonderful. Since the curtains were drawn, she had no idea what time it was. She crawled out of bed, th
en pushed the curtains aside. Bright light burst into the room.
“You’re awake,” Joce said, coming into the bedchamber.
Now that it was daylight, Reid could see her lady’s maid better. With her silky blonde hair twisted into a bun, she wore a short-sleeved dress of navy blue, revealing her willowy arms. However, her most striking feature was her large blue eyes, which seemed to glow.
“I’m starving.” Reid hoped Joce could bring food to the room. Dining with the royal family wasn’t something she was ready to face yet.
“I’ve been sent to help you dress.”
Reid groaned.
“Is there a problem?”
“No. I’m just not sure what’s expected of me in Axian.” Running her fingers through her tangled hair, she sighed.
“You’re our future princess,” Joce said, her smile lighting up her face. “Prince Dexter is the most sought-after bachelor in the county. Once your engagement is announced, everyone will be wildly jealous of you. The upcoming wedding will be all anyone talks about.” She glided into the dressing closet. A moment later, she exited, a pale purple dress in hand.
“I’m not wearing that.”
“What color would you prefer then?”
Reid opened her mouth, intent on explaining she had no intention of wearing a dress and that she planned to don pants and a tunic in Axian. However, before she could say anything, someone knocked.
Joce left to answer it. A moment later, she returned with Nara in tow. “Lady Reid, allow me to present Princess Nara. I’ll give you two a moment alone.” Joce set the dress on the bed before hurrying from the room.
“We meet again,” Nara said by way of greeting.
“I can honestly say I never thought that would happen.”
Nara approached Reid. “I had a feeling our paths would cross again. However, I didn’t think it would be under these circumstances.” She glanced outside, then focused on Reid. The morning sun highlighted the brown in Nara’s single braid. Similar to the last time Reid had seen her, the princess wore slender pants and a form-fitting shirt. Her boots went up to her knees, and she’d strapped a dagger to her waist. “I’m sure you understand the precarious position we are in.”
Shadow Knights Page 4