Shadow Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “I’m…” Reid searched for the right words. “I’m sorry she died delivering me.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Constance whispered. “I should see about supper and your accommodations for the night.” She set her tea down, then left the room once again.

  Maybe Reid shouldn’t have said anything about her mother. The subject was probably too painful for her grandmother to discuss.

  Gregor cleared his throat. “There’s a lake out back. If you want, you two can take a walk around it. Supper won’t be ready for another hour or so.”

  “That’s an excellent idea.” Dexter stood. “Lady Reid?”

  She joined him, allowing him to escort her through the front door of the manor. They walked around the side of the property, gravel crunching under their shoes.

  Reid finally broke the silence. “Do you know how my grandfather injured his legs?”

  “Duke Axian has been like that for as long as I can remember.” As they traversed the narrow pathway leading to the lake, Dexter kept his hands clasped behind his back.

  Trees towered on either side, leaves swaying in the wind.

  “It’s beautiful here,” Reid commented. “Everything is so green and vibrant.”

  “Isn’t it like this in Ellington?”

  “No, it’s not.” When she took him to Ellington to visit, he would see for himself.

  They came to the edge of the lake, the water calm and shimmering under the setting sun. To the left, a dock extended above the water. Reid headed that way, Dexter following. After pulling off her boots and socks, she settled on the end of the dock, rolled up her pants, and stuck her bare feet into the refreshing water.

  Dexter sat next to her.

  “You’re not going to put your feet in the water?”

  He scanned the area. “I’d prefer to keep my boots on.”

  “Is there something I should be aware of?” An unseen threat, maybe?

  “No. If one of my men needs me, I like to be prepared.”

  She eyed him. “Don’t want to be caught slacking on the job?”

  He shrugged. “Technically, I’m not working. Still, it’s hard to relax.”

  As much as she hated to admit it, she understood him. Wiggling her toes in the water, she asked, “Do you get the feeling that everything is about to change?”

  He studied her for an uncomfortable minute before answering. “Ever since Eldon became king, I’ve had an ominous feeling. I can’t say what it is exactly, but I fear something bad is coming.”

  “Every time I think I have a handle on things, something happens to throw me off.” Like being taken to the Knights’ headquarters and then meeting her grandparents. “I don’t know why, but I think I’m supposed to be here. I think I can help save Axian.”

  “Colbert keeps telling me that you’re on our side.”

  “I am,” she answered without hesitation.

  He scanned the area again. “How’s the water?”

  “Cold.” It felt fantastic on her toes.

  To her delight, he removed his boots and socks, then rolled his pants up. After he stuck his feet in the water next to hers, they sat in companionable silence, the setting sun casting them in a soft glow.

  Reid stood in the middle of her mother’s bedchamber. Constance had escorted Reid there, leaving her alone to freshen up for supper. Her grandmother had said no one had moved anything—except to clean—since the day Brianna left for Ellington. Reid trailed her hand over the dresser, the bed. She wanted to find something that revealed the type of person her mother had been.

  Going over to the armoire, she opened it, expecting to find dresses. Instead, pants and tunics filled it. The thought of her mother wearing clothes similar to Reid’s own made her smile. After closing the armoire, she went to the window to gaze at the beautiful view of the property. Shifting to face the room again, she noticed a target on the back of the door. Made from wood, it was riddled with dozens of arrow holes. Had Brianna known how to shoot?

  Reid rushed over to the closet, then threw the door open. Four swords, a handful of daggers, two bows, and a quiver with a dozen arrows filled the space. She froze, feeling as if she’d stumbled upon a hidden treasure. Had Brianna been a soldier before she married Duke Ellington? Or did she just have a passion for weapons?

  Reid closed the door and examined the room again, seeing it in a different light. If her mother had been a soldier, what would she think of her daughters? Would she be proud of or disappointed in the women they’d become? Reid’s four older sisters always wore dresses, and none had even touched a weapon.

  Brianna had left here at the age of eighteen to marry Duke Ellington. She’d had Reid at twenty-five. Reid supposed a lot could change during that time. Especially considering that during those seven years, Brianna had lived in Ellington, where there were restrictions on women’s rights.

  Although…Prince Henrick had gradually changed the laws here in Axian to allow women to wear pants, work, and join the army. Henrick had taken over Axian around the same time Brianna married, which meant she’d grown up under King Broc’s rule.

  The elements of her mother that Reid found intriguing—the clothes and weapons—had been hidden from plain sight. Which probably meant Brianna had been one person in the manor and another while out in society. Maybe Reid and her mother weren’t so different after all.

  During supper, Reid spent the entire time asking questions about her mother. Her grandparents indulged her, telling her everything they could about Brianna’s life as a child—she’d always seemed to get into trouble; painting and drawing had been her favorite pastimes; and bread loaded with butter was her favorite food. They’d never mentioned anything about her mother knowing how to shoot a bow or wield a sword, though.

  After Constance and Gregor retired for the night, Reid meandered to the sitting room where the fire slowly died in the hearth. Her mind buzzed with everything that had happened today.

  Dexter sat on the sofa next to her, his legs propped on the low table. “I don’t know how to break it to you, so I’m just going to say it. Your grandparents are lying to you about something.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  “During supper, they kept glancing at one another. They seemed…uncomfortable.”

  Reid had noticed that, too. However, she’d assumed it was because her visit was unexpected. Or maybe because they were nervous with a prince in the house.

  “Let’s snoop,” he said.

  “I am not going to snoop in my grandparents’ home.” She folded her arms.

  “Why not?”

  “Because it’s wrong.”

  “They’re your family.”

  “Precisely.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Fine. But mark my words, they’re hiding something.”

  Letting her head fall back against the sofa, she asked, “Where’s the closest village?”

  “About a mile west. Why?”

  “I need to clear my head. Let’s go.” Besides wanting to see more of where her mother had grown up, Reid needed to get out of the manor so she could look at the situation objectively. And she wasn’t tired enough to retire for the night.

  Instead of arguing as she’d expected, Dexter stood and went to the door, putting on a cape.

  Reid also grabbed a cape, wrapping it around her body. The chilly night air engulfed Reid as they exited the manor, making her shiver. They walked along the road, which led straight into the village. It was much larger than she’d expected, with several streets and stores. Since it was after supper, there weren’t many people out and about, giving the place a sedate feel. Only a few lights shone from within the buildings.

  When they reached the local pub, they went in. A handful of men sat at the bar, and about half the tables were full. Reid claimed an empty table in the back.

  Dexter ordered two drinks, then sat across from her, pushing one of the mugs her way. “What do you want to talk about?” he asked.

  Reid wrapped her hands around her
mug. “Who says I want to talk?”

  Dexter took a drink, not bothering to respond.

  “Fine.” She sighed. “Something’s off.” A feeling of being off kilter had inundated her since leaving the palace. “I can’t say what it is exactly.” She took a sip, not sure how to explain.

  His right leg bounced under the table, proof he was restless, too. “I agree.” He chugged the rest of his drink before he said, “I know you want to get to know your grandparents better, but I would prefer to leave tomorrow. They’ll be at the palace for our wedding, so you can spend more time with them then. Is that okay with you?”

  “Yes.” Maybe she’d feel better once she returned to the safety of the palace.

  “The way you were brought here, the feeling I’m getting, it adds up to something being wrong.”

  “What happened to Victor?” She hadn’t seen him since they arrived earlier in the day.

  “He went home.”

  Her cousin could have at least bid her goodbye.

  Dexter abruptly stood, the legs of his chair scraping against the wood floor. “Let’s play a game.” He pointed at the dart board on the back wall.

  Reid eyed it. “I should warn you—I don’t like to lose.”

  Chuckling, Dexter responded, “Neither do I.” He picked up ten darts, setting the five yellow ones on the table in front of her. “What do you say? Are you up for the challenge?”

  “I’m not sure a game of darts is a challenge.” She shrugged. “But you’re on.”

  He stood ten feet back from the target, his toes on the white line. Fingering his first red dart, he raised it, aimed, and threw. It landed in the center ring, slightly to the right.

  “That’s too bad.” Reid stood and picked up her first dart, sauntering over. Standing just behind the line, she lifted her dart and threw. It hit the center ring, slightly to the left. She cursed.

  “That’s too bad,” he mocked.

  “There’s something wrong with these darts.” Her dart should have struck dead center.

  “I know. Otherwise, I would have one in the middle.”

  She stepped aside, allowing Dexter to take her place. He threw his dart. Again, it struck the center ring, a little too high this time. They went back and forth until they’d thrown all their darts. When they finished, they observed the board. All ten were in the middle circle, though not a single one was dead center.

  Dexter strode forward to remove the darts from the board. “I’m calling it a tie.”

  “I agree. We have no choice but to play again. This time, we have to get a single dart in each ring.”

  “Good idea.” He raised his hand, ordering two more drinks. “And they have to hit the top of each ring.”

  Reid picked up her darts. “Deal.” This time, she went first, aiming for the outer line. Her dart landed right where she wanted it to.

  Dexter’s dart landed right next to hers.

  The bartender slid two mugs on the table.

  Reid took a sip of her drink before throwing her second dart. This game went the same way, ending in another tie.

  “How is that even possible?” he mumbled, eyeing her.

  She shrugged. While she was disappointed she hadn’t won, she was thrilled she hadn’t lost.

  “There has to be another game around here we can play.” He surveyed the pub. “I have an idea.” He finished off his drink, then set his mug in the center of the table. “Do you have any money on you?”

  She pulled a few coins out of her pocket, tossing them on the table.

  “Excellent. You sit in that chair there. I’ll sit directly across from you.”

  Reid did as he said.

  “Hold a coin like this.” He placed a single coin vertically on the table, holding the top with his pointer finger. “Then try to flick it into the mug like this.” He hit the coin with his thumb and pointer finger. The coin went flying, smacking Reid’s arm.

  “Was that supposed to happen?” she asked.

  “It should have gone in the mug.” When he tried again, the coin hit the outside of the mug.

  Reid positioned a coin, then flicked it right into the mug on her first try. Throwing her hands in the air, she screamed, “Yes!”

  Dexter narrowed his eyes. “That was a lucky shot.”

  “We’ll see.” She lined up another coin. When she hit it, it sailed into the mug. She smirked.

  Dexter tried again. His coin pelted Reid on her forehead. When she squeaked in surprise, he burst out laughing.

  “Did you do that on purpose?”

  He couldn’t stop laughing.

  Irked, she grabbed another coin, aimed for Dexter’s face, and flicked it. It smacked his right cheek.

  “Hey now,” he said, still chuckling.

  Reid did it again, hitting his left cheek.

  He sat up straighter. “You did that on purpose.”

  She lined up another, hitting his forehead.

  Dexter scrambled for a coin, snapping it at Reid. She ducked, easily avoiding it. Perturbed, he tried again. She dodged it.

  “The coins aren’t cooperating,” he muttered, trying again. He missed. Now it was Reid’s turn to laugh. “You really don’t like to lose.”

  “Not if I can help it. And I’m not against playing dirty when it’s called for.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Reid peeled her eyelids open, moaning at the bright light shining in through the bedroom window. Rolling onto her side, away from the window, she cradled her pounding head. The ale they’d consumed last night must have been particularly strong. When she shoved the covers off, she realized she still wore yesterday’s clothes.

  Brain feeling muddled, she slid her feet over the edge and stepped on something hard, yet warm.

  Cursing, she jumped back on the bed, peering down.

  Dexter lay face down on the floor, without a pillow or blanket, unmoving.

  “Dexter,” she whispered, trying to rouse him. Nothing. She reached down, shaking his shoulder. “Wake up.”

  Turning his head to the side, he mumbled incoherently.

  “You need to get out of my bedchamber before someone sees you.”

  His eyes flew open. “Why am I in here?”

  “I have no idea. Just get out.”

  He rolled onto his back, and Reid’s eyes widened. There were welts on his face from where she’d struck him with the coins.

  “What is it?” he asked, blinking against the morning light.

  Cringing, she bit her lip. “Nothing.”

  “You’re a terrible liar.” He sat up and rubbed his eyes. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to head out after breakfast.”

  “I’m fine with that.” There would be plenty of time for Reid to get to know her grandparents after the wedding.

  “I need to inform my men of our plans. There’s only four, so we’ll have to be vigilant on our way back.” He stood and stretched before leaving the room.

  Since Reid was in Brianna’s room, she slid out of bed and went over to the closet. Wanting something of her mother’s, she picked two daggers at random, tucking them into her pants. When she went to close the door, something caught her attention. A leather armored vest hung from a peg on the wall. Before she could change her mind, she snatched it off.

  It was hard and thick, entirely too big to fit in Reid’s traveling bag. The only other option was to wear it. She slid her arms in the holes, hoisting the vest on, then cinching it together. It fit like a glove. Examining herself in the mirror, Reid couldn’t help but think she looked like Nara.

  Not wanting Dexter or anyone else to question why she had on armor, she pulled her tunic over it. After grabbing her bag, she headed downstairs. She found her grandparents eating breakfast in the dining room.

  “I see you have your bag with you,” Gregor said. “Does that mean you’re leaving?”

  Taking a seat across from her grandmother, Reid answered, “I am. Prince Dexter and I must return to the palace. There is much to be done to prepare
for the wedding.”

  “We will make every effort to be there,” Constance assured her.

  It surprised Reid that neither insisted she stay for another day. It was almost as if they didn’t mind her leaving—which didn’t make any sense. Unless, as Dexter pointed out, they had something to hide. But why would her grandparents withhold information from her? Didn’t they trust her?

  “I want you both to know how sorry I am that I didn’t know you were alive until recently. Now that I’m living in Axian, I hope we can see one another frequently.”

  “Your grandmother and I would like that,” Gregor answered. “You’re welcome here any time.”

  Reid was about to say something when she caught sight of a painting on the wall behind her grandfather. Family portraits covered the entire space. However, one in particular stood out. It was a painting of a girl who looked to be about fourteen. “Is that my mother?”

  Constance’s face went stark white.

  “It is,” Gregor replied. “Now if you’re ready to leave, we’ll walk you out.”

  Reid absently nodded as she stood. Instead of following her grandparents from the room, she went over to examine the portrait. The girl—her mother—looked vaguely familiar with her thick brown hair flowing around her shoulders. Her eyes stared directly at Reid, as if she knew a secret. Her mother wasn’t smiling, but the corners of her lips tilted slightly up, hinting at mischief. Searching the girl’s features, Reid tried to find similarities.

  “Are you coming?” Gregor asked from the doorway.

  “She’s beautiful.” If Reid had the time, she would spend all day staring at this portrait. Her father didn’t have a single one. Tears filled her eyes. “My oldest sister looks just like her.” She tilted her head to the side. “And so does Kamden.” They had the same nose.

  “Lady Reid?” Dexter said. “My men are ready to go.”

  Forcing herself away from the painting, she exited the room. Were there additional portraits of her mother in the manor? Would her grandparents give her one?

  “Are you okay?” Dexter whispered.

  She nodded.