Shadow Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  “What do you think?” Reid asked Gytha.

  “We’ll let Ackley accompany the soldiers. He won’t even bother to ask permission—he’ll just go. I am not at liberty to pick and choose what orders I do and do not obey.”

  Even knowing Dexter would have Ackley and Markis with him, Reid drifted through the day in a state of unease. She couldn’t shake the fear something terrible would happen to him. Unable to take her pacing, Gytha dragged Reid to the military compound and forced her to do sword drills as a distraction.

  Even though it was painful to go through the motions since her ribs hadn’t fully healed, the physical activity drove the thoughts about Dexter, the foreign army, and her father’s whereabouts to the back of her mind. All she could do was focus on the movements Gytha demanded of her. When Reid’s arms were no longer capable of holding the wooden sword above her waist, she finally stopped for the day.

  After a quick bath, she dressed, then joined the others for supper. When a servant placed a plate in front of her, Reid ate, though she was unable to recall what had been served before she’d even left the room. Now in her bedchamber, unable to sleep, she stood vigil at her window with Gytha by her side.

  “Deep breath in and deep breath out,” Nara instructed. “That’s it.”

  Reid obeyed the princess’s directions. “Tell me again why we’re doing this?” she asked as they meandered through one of the interior courtyards. Dexter had been gone for three days, and they hadn’t received a single word from him. The wedding was scheduled to take place in a week.

  Nara rearranged the folds of her dress, seemingly uncomfortable in the foreign attire. “We are doing this so we can control our anger and frustration when we must speak to the dukes from the north—instead of punching them in their faces as we’d rather do.”

  Reid snorted. “They’re not all pigheaded.”

  “I know. But there’s only so much of their backward thinking I can take. I don’t know how you survived living in the north.”

  Reid had only survived because she’d been raised as a man.

  A sentry approached. “Our soldiers are escorting the queen’s party through the city. They are expected to arrive in the next five to ten minutes.” He bowed, then left.

  “You want to talk about backward, wait until you meet the queen,” Reid said, smacking a hand to her forehead at the thought of having to deal with her. The woman never spoke her mind, did whatever Eldon told her to, and was as boring as a doorknob.

  “Well, I suppose we should go to the front of the palace to greet them.” Nara took Reid’s hand. “Before we go, tell me how you’re holding up.”

  The question embodied the sort of conversation Reid disliked having. While she didn’t particularly care for Gytha, at least the woman never tried to get personal or talk about their feelings.

  “It’s okay to be worried,” Nara said. “That doesn’t mean you’re weak.”

  “I don’t like when things are out of my control,” Reid admitted. And she hated relying on other people to take care of things. “Realistically, I understand I can’t ride or fight beside Dexter.” While she’d been taught to fight, she hadn’t been trained in battle strategy or combat situations.

  “But emotionally…you believe you’d handle this better if you could be at his side?”

  “I do.” Being involved in the action would help Reid regain control, making her feel wanted and important to the cause. Sitting around and taking orders wasn’t something she was good at.

  Nara wrapped an arm around Reid. “Did I ever tell you that you remind me of myself when I was your age?”

  “Really?” Reid assumed Nara had always been a take-charge sort of person who knew what she wanted and had the utmost confidence in herself. Logically, Reid knew it probably wasn’t true. Confidence in one’s self was gained over time. But it was hard to remember that when faced with what Reid believed were her own shortcomings.

  “Really.”

  They hurried to the front of the palace where Prince Henrick and Prince Colbert waited. Reid spotted Axian soldiers in the distance, escorting several carriages. For the first time, she realized she would soon come face to face with Gordon. If she were being honest, she’d been so wrapped up in her worry over Dexter’s safety and the army’s invasion that she’d completely forgotten Gordon even existed, much less spared a thought about seeing him again.

  Three carriages stopped in front of the palace. The Axian soldiers continued around the side, out of sight. Only Marsden soldiers remained. One man dismounted, hurried over to the first carriage, and opened the door. Princess Dana emerged in a simple tan dress, her hair in a single braid. After a moment, Queen Harlow appeared and accepted the doorman’s proffered hand, allowing him to help her out. In a sky-blue dress, her hair in soft waves around her face, the queen found her footing, then smoothed the folds of her gown.

  Another man dismounted, barking out a few orders. The carriages and soldiers headed around the side of the palace, following the path the Axian soldiers had taken.

  Reid scanned the three people at the foot of the steps—Prince Gordon, Princess Dana, and Queen Harlow. Henrick introduced himself before apologizing to the queen about the harrowing experience she’d endured when they’d been attacked on their journey.

  “My wife, Princess Nara, will see you to your rooms. I’m sure you’d like to rest after such a long and trying journey. If you’re up for it, we will see you at supper.”

  With a gracious smile, Nara stepped forward, inviting the queen and princess into the palace.

  Once the women disappeared, Gordon approached.

  “We’re so sorry you were attacked,” Colbert said. “We’re currently investigating the situation.”

  “I’m glad. Thankfully, King Eldon wasn’t with us,” Gordon replied.

  “Where is the king?” Henrick asked. “I’d hoped we’d have time for a talk.”

  “He’ll be along shortly,” was all Gordon would say.

  After they entered the palace and exchanged a few more pleasantries, Colbert offered to escort Gordon to his room.

  Prince Henrick excused himself. He’d arranged for the dukes to go hunting, and he was eager to join them.

  Reid decided to go to the library to find Finn. She wanted to make sure he had food and water. Plus, she needed to ensure he didn’t get into any trouble with all the strangers in the palace.

  Gytha emerged from the shadows, joining her. “What’s wrong with the queen? Doesn’t she speak?”

  “Women aren’t encouraged to speak unless they are spoken to. And even then, they are expected to be demure.”

  Gytha shuddered. “It’s a good thing you were raised as a man then.”

  A laugh escaped Reid.

  “Lady Reid,” Gordon called from down the hall.

  A chill spread over her skin. What could he possibly have to say to her? She risked a glance at Gytha, whose eyebrows drew together in confusion.

  “Yes, Prince Gordon?” Reid said, turning to face him.

  He walked toward her, Colbert at his side. While Reid still found Prince Gordon handsome, any pull she’d previously felt had vanished.

  Smiling, he stopped a respectful distance away. “It’s good to see you.”

  Reid chose not to respond. Instead, she merely inclined her head.

  “Can we talk? Privately?” he asked.

  “Lady Reid will not be going anywhere alone with you,” Gytha cut in, eyeing him suspiciously.

  Keeping his focus solely on Reid, he said, “The Reid I know would never let someone else dictate what she can or cannot do.” He folded his arms, the challenge clear.

  “And the Gordon I know would never let the king welcome soldiers from another kingdom into Marsden just to take over Axian.” She watched his reaction closely, hoping to glean some knowledge.

  Gordon stiffened.

  It was all she needed to see. “Has the king been hiding things from you? His commander? His own brother?” Taking a step towar
d him, she whispered, “But that shouldn’t surprise you. After all, he tried to kill your own mother with his bare hands.”

  He flinched, his face paling. “Who told you that? Ackley?”

  “How can you support Eldon?”

  “He’s my king!”

  “What about the foreign army?” she demanded.

  “I’ve only heard rumors.”

  “Didn’t you think to investigate?”

  “There’s only so much I can do.”

  Disappointment filled her at his cowardly answer. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She turned and strode away from him, holding her head high even while her hands began to shake. Once she was safely around the corner, she slumped against the wall.

  “What was that?” Gytha demanded.

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, Lady Reid, but you are one complicated individual.”

  “Dukes Willer, Tucker, Slader, and Lyndr brought fifty soldiers each. Dukes Ryder, Cartr, and Bridger each brought twenty,” Gytha murmured into Reid’s ear.

  They were in the dining hall, everyone mingling since the food hadn’t yet been served. “And my father?”

  “No one has seen anyone wearing Ellington livery.”

  “That means, in addition to the Axian soldiers on hand, we have an extra two hundred and sixty men.” Such a paltry number, Reid thought, fighting the despair threatening to rise within her.

  “Lady Reid,” Gordon said as he slid up next to her. “You’re a difficult woman to talk to.”

  Because she’d purposefully been avoiding him all evening.

  “I want to know where my brother is.”

  Disgusted, she glared at him. “You lost your king?”

  “Not that brother. Ackley.”

  Oh. She hadn’t even considered he might want to know where Ackley was. “He’s busy,” she said, purposefully being vague.

  “With Ackley, I can never tell if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

  “Depends on whose side you’re on.”

  He eyed her. “Aren’t we all on the same side?”

  She shrugged, choosing to neither confirm nor deny her stance.

  Gytha cleared her throat, nudging Reid.

  “Prince Gordon, I don’t think you’ve had the pleasure of meeting my dear friend and personal guard, Captain Gytha,” Reid said, making the introduction Gytha clearly wanted.

  “You’re the commander of the king’s army?” Gytha asked, eyebrow cocked.

  “Yes.”

  “Is your army not very good?”

  Gordon bristled. “Why would you think that?”

  “Because the king recruited soldiers from Melenia,” Gytha stated bluntly. “I must conclude that your men are incompetent. It’s the only reason I can come to for why the king felt he had to look elsewhere to find men who could fight.”

  Gordon glanced around. The queen and Dana were on the other side of the room, far enough away they couldn’t overhear. Most of the dukes conversed with either Prince Henrick or Queen Harlow.

  “That’s why it’s important I speak to Ackley,” Gordon mumbled. “He suspected Eldon was in communication with Melenia. Idina was investigating the matter.”

  Duke Ellington appeared, striding straight toward Reid. Relief washed through her. Her father was here, and he was okay. Forget decorum. She wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tightly.

  He held her at arm’s length. Pretending he hadn’t seen her in months, he twisted her this way and that as he examined her. “I can’t believe my baby girl is finally getting married.”

  “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “I wouldn’t miss this for anything. Come, I want to introduce you to some of the dukes.”

  “Lady Reid,” Gordon said. “I’m not done speaking with you.”

  Duke Ellington leveled him with a glare. “My daughter has no reason to speak with you.” Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, her father escorted her over to where three dukes stood speaking to one another.

  Reid found it interesting that all the northern dukes were in attendance; however, not a single one had brought his wife.

  “Duke Tucker,” Reid said, inclining her head in greeting. “It’s good to see you again.” While she’d welcomed him when he’d first arrived, she hadn’t had a chance to speak with him since then.

  “It is good to see you Lady Reid.”

  “This is Duke Willer and Duke Slader,” Duke Ellington said, indicating the men on either side of Duke Tucker.

  Duke Willer was in his eighties with solid white hair. He stood slightly hunched forward, a cane in hand. Duke Slader, on the other hand, looked to be about twenty. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his right hand slightly shook as he held a drink.

  “We are discussing the letter Duke Axian sent,” Duke Tucker stated.

  Reid must have heard him wrong. Her grandfather wouldn’t have sent a letter to the northern dukes.

  “Do you believe him?” Duke Willer asked, his voice gravelly from old age.

  “I do,” Duke Slader whispered, his eyes moving back and forth as he watched to make sure no one could overhear them. “I believe Eldon is not the rightful heir. The king should either be Prince Gordon or Prince Henrick.”

  “I think it should be Henrick,” Duke Ellington mumbled. “King Hudson didn’t declare Prince Gordon his heir.”

  “I happen to agree with you,” Duke Willer stated. “The problem will be that since your daughter here is marrying Prince Dexter, you have a vested interest in the outcome. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “I side with the law,” Duke Ellington said. “And, if the rumors are true, whoever is going to get this foreign army out of our kingdom.”

  Dukes Willer, Tucker, and Slader agreed.

  Duke Lyndr weaseled his way over. “What are you discussing?” he asked, his crooked nose twitching as he observed the group.

  “We were just saying what a lovely match your daughter and Prince Ackley will make,” Duke Ellington replied.

  Reid choked out a cough. “Excuse me, what did you say?”

  Duke Lyndr smiled. “The king opened marriage negotiations between my youngest daughter, Eloise, and Prince Ackley.”

  Reid coughed again. No wonder Ackley had been in a foul mood.

  “Are you okay?” Duke Ellington asked.

  She nodded. “I’m just exhausted from all of the activities. If you’ll excuse me, I am going to lie down.” She hurried from the room before she could say something about how Ackley would never marry someone like Eloise.

  Prince Henrick used the following days to take full advantage of the king’s absence. Escorting the dukes around the city, he showed them how prosperous it could be to allow women to work alongside men. Demonstrations on how the people in his county traded with one another, ultimately increasing their wealth, were also given. Henrick reiterated his willingness to remain south of the Gast River, but he also stated he was open to trading with other counties if the king allowed it. In short, Prince Henrick tried to foster the dukes’ loyalty by agreeing to adhere to the old ways while subtly introducing other, better ways to prosper—using the incentive of more wealth as one would use a shiny toy to attract a baby.

  Reid was present for most of these events, remaining at her father’s side as much as possible. She did sneak back to the bookstore every day, hoping to find a reply from the Knights. But the book of correspondence stayed empty. What did the Knights intend to do about the foreign army? Would they support the king or fight for the people?

  Late one night, Reid entered her suite, Gytha at her side, exhausted from the dukes’ constant chatter and their concern about including women in their business dealings.

  “Tomorrow, we do something else,” Gytha insisted. “I cannot guard you and listen to those pompous, arrogant, sorry excuses for men any longer. You have no idea how much restraint and willpower I exhibited today.” She flopped on the sofa, then pounded her fist into the cushion.


  “That’s what I grew up in.”

  Gytha opened her mouth, about to respond, when the soldier in her suddenly snapped to attention. Reid froze, watching as Gytha whipped to the right and withdrew her dagger in one smooth move. “Who’s there?” the warrior woman demanded.

  The queen stepped out of the shadows, keeping her hands visible. “Lower your voice,” she whispered. “No one can know I’m here.”

  Gytha sheathed her dagger, though her glare was openly hostile.

  “I’d like a word with Lady Reid,” the queen stated.

  “I am not permitted to let Lady Reid out of my sight.”

  “Very well. Lady Reid, if you’ll join me over here, away from the door?”

  Reid was still in a state of shock that the queen was in her room. The young woman had always been so docile, Reid hadn’t thought her capable of decision making. Curious, she joined the queen over by the windows. Not wanting anyone to see them, Reid closed the curtains.

  Gytha remained on the sofa about twenty feet away, carefully watching them.

  “Is there something I can do for you?” Reid asked. The room was fairly dark with only two candles lit, which left the corner the women conversed in shrouded in shadows.

  “I see the way you look at me,” Harlow started. “Like I’m a stupid, meek, incompetent fool.”

  Reid wanted to argue, but she bit her tongue. The queen was right—that was how Reid thought of Harlow.

  “You, of all people, should know how deceiving appearances can be. Just because I act one way in front of most people doesn’t mean I am always like that.” Although she whispered, her voice held a hint of authority and confidence Reid had never noticed before.

  Shame filled Reid for thinking so poorly of the queen. She should have taken the time to get to know the woman.

  “I am here to warn you,” the queen continued.

  “Warn me? About the foreign army?” Did Queen Harlow know of the king’s plans? Reid doubted he shared much with his wife. After all, he hated women and thought them subservient to men.