Hidden Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  Dexter flicked a gaze over her. “All dressed?”

  “Yes.” She patted the spot next to her on the boulder. “Sit with me.”

  “We should get back to the others.”

  Instead of responding, she patted the spot again. He came over, collapsing on the boulder next to her. “I want to thank you.”

  “For what?” he asked.

  “Coming after me.”

  He rubbed his face.

  “What’s the matter?” she asked.

  “Do you remember the conversation we had the night of our engagement party?”

  “Yes.” He’d said he didn’t want to love someone because he feared it would make him a slave to that person. She wrapped her arm around his large shoulders, resting her head against him, not knowing what to think. Was he upset he had feelings for her?

  “Reid.” He sighed. “When I realized you’d been kidnapped, I’ve never felt terror like that before.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.” He twisted toward her, taking her hands in his. “I hate feeling helpless. I thought you’d been taken to get to me. That someone knew my weakness. And when I found your abductors, I planned to kill them. Then I realized that’s what Anna, or whoever is behind this, wants. I had to force myself to calm down. To think rationally.”

  She didn’t want to be his weakness—she wanted to be his strength.

  “When I saw Ackley, he transformed into someone I didn’t recognize. I realized, he, too, was falling into the trap that was set for us. It took every ounce of strength I had to think logically instead of with my emotions.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t fall for it.” Reid’s voice sounded small. Where was he going with this? What was he trying to say?

  “I’d been so afraid of something like this happening.”

  “Are you trying to say you don’t want to be with me anymore?” Tears threatened.

  He focused on her as he reached up, gently cupping her cheeks. “I’ve been so afraid of loving another person. I want you to understand—I watched my parents. I saw how much my mother loved my father. And I saw my father pining over another woman. While he came to care for my mother, it wasn’t the same intense love she had for him. I’ve been afraid of that. I didn’t want to love someone who didn’t love me back. I couldn’t handle that feeling of rejection.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “That I want to be with you, to love you. I want kids with you. A future with you. Because the thought of losing you, of not having you in my life, is unbearable. What I’m trying to say is—despite my fears of you not loving me or me losing you—it’s worth it. Being with you is worth it.” His eyes shone with intense sincerity.

  Movement off to the side caught Reid’s attention as one of the Knights approached. “Sorry to interrupt,” he said, “but Ackley’s back. It’s time to set the fire and get moving.”

  “We’ll be right there,” Reid replied.

  Dexter’s brows drew together. He still hadn’t released her face.

  She knew she needed to express her feelings. However, articulating such things was difficult for her. All her life, she’d been so careful to keep others at a distance that it was hard to let him in. And right now, the nearness of him overwhelmed her. “I have a lot I’d like to say, and I don’t want to be rushed. Can we finish this conversation later?”

  His hands slowly slid from her face to her shoulders. “Of course.”

  When they neared the other Knights, one who appeared to be about Reid’s age twisted to face them, sweat trickling down his forehead.

  “Are you okay?” Reid asked.

  “I think I’m going to be sick.”

  Dexter maneuvered his body, blocking Reid’s view of the other Knights. “I want you to take this Knight to the river. Wait there for me.”

  Some of the men were directing where to put more blood. Reid looked at Dexter in question.

  “Trust me.”

  She nodded. Taking the Knight’s arm, she pulled him away from the others. “You’re not bothered by the blood, are you?” Given the fact he was not only a Knight, but also a soldier in the army, she couldn’t imagine he’d be ill over something like that.

  He pulled the collar of his tunic away from his neck. “I can handle a lot of things. However, animal mutilation is not one of them.”

  Wanting to change the subject, she asked about how he became a Knight, what he liked most about being a member of Ackley’s unit, and if he preferred the long or short sword. Sitting on the boulder, the Knight—who said he was identified as number twelve—dutifully answered Reid’s questions. While he chattered away, she thought about what Dexter had revealed and how she would respond. She grappled with how to put her feelings for him into words.

  The Knights wordlessly joined them a few minutes later, just after sunset. The group headed east. Once they’d gone about two miles, Reid asked if they’d be stopping soon since it was becoming difficult to see.

  “We’re too close to the town,” Ackley said. “We can’t stop until we’re farther away.”

  They exited the forest. Reid didn’t like the idea of traveling out in the open without trees to provide cover. However, Ackley insisted they traverse this route because it would take them directly to the City of Buckley. According to him, no one would expect them to travel this way.

  After a couple of hours, Ackley finally halted everyone. He ordered three men to stay on watch while everyone else got a few hours of sleep.

  Reid was just about to lie down when Ackley approached.

  “Can I please speak with you privately?” he asked.

  She felt Dexter tense next to her, but he didn’t say anything.

  “Of course.” She followed Ackley about a hundred feet away from their campsite. “What is it?”

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his back to her.

  “Yes.” He’d already questioned his Knights. They’d given him a full report of what had happened from the moment they took Reid until Ackley recovered her.

  He shook his head. “You got married, watched your home burn, and then were kidnapped.” He finally turned to face her. “I want to know how you’re holding up.” There was a gentleness to his voice she rarely heard.

  “I haven’t allowed myself to think about it.” Which was the truth. If she did, she’d be overwhelmed. There was too much to do right now to allow that.

  “Reid.” He reached out, taking her hand. “You know you’re like a…sister…to me.”

  “I know.” She considered him the brother she’d never had.

  “If you need anything at all, even if you just want to talk, I’m here for you.”

  “Thank you.” She squeezed his hand, then let it go. It dawned on her that something was bothering him. “What’s on your mind?”

  He rocked back on his heels. “I’m afraid of Anna. I’ve been so focused on Eldon and what he intends to do that I never saw her attack coming. I fear I’ll miss something else.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Anna was responsible for burning Reid’s home and kidnapping her—not Ackley. “If it makes you feel any better, she scares me, too.” Anna had years to plan this. “But if there’s anyone who can outsmart her, it’s you.”

  “I’m glad you have so much confidence in me.”

  While he probably meant the comment as a joke, his voice held a hint of sadness, making Reid pause. “Is something else bothering you?”

  “No, it’s nothing.”

  “Ackley…”

  “Fine.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Your kidnapping really threw me off.”

  “You found me. Everything is fine.” She kicked at the ground with the tip of her boot. “And it’s not like you can plan for every possible scenario. I know you pride yourself on having a plan and several backups, but sometimes things just don’t go the way you think they will.”

  “You’re right. But that wasn’t what I was referring to. When I realized you were gone, somethi
ng in me snapped.”

  She couldn’t imagine if the roles had been reversed. If she’d discovered her father, Dexter, or Idina were missing, what would she have done to save them? How would she have felt?

  “I realized I’ve been lying to myself about something. Your kidnapping forced me to face it. And now I don’t know what to do.” He looked everywhere but at Reid.

  She had no idea what her kidnapping had forced him to face. Instead of inquiring about it, she said, “You’re a good man, Ackley. I think you expect too much of yourself. No one is perfect.” She smiled, trying to reassure him.

  “Let’s get back,” he whispered. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

  When they returned to the others, Ackley walked Reid over to where Dexter waited for her. Ackley then left, saying he had the first watch.

  “Since we’re short on bedrolls,” Dexter said, “I told them we’d share one.”

  Reid simply climbed under the blanket. Dexter stretched out next to her, wrapping his arm around her waist. Nestling against her husband, she fell into a blissful sleep.

  The following days fell into a routine. The group rose early and traveled until it was too dark to walk any farther. Then they would set up camp only to do it all over again the next day. After a week, Ackley finally declared they would arrive at the City of Buckley tomorrow.

  Unease filled Reid. Anna knew they were headed to the castle. Not only that, but it also felt wrong to be going to Eldon’s home while he remained in the City of Radella—Dexter’s home. However, there weren’t any other options since they needed to organize the army, and this was where a majority of the army was located.

  After stretching out her bedroll, Reid plopped on top of it, exhausted.

  Ackley laid out his bedroll next to hers. “Tomorrow, the Knights will break into smaller groups before heading into the city. I have a few safe houses Anna knows nothing about.”

  “Do you think she has other men in the city?” Reid was afraid her mother would somehow be watching them.

  “No. We’ll still need to be vigilant, but she only has the Knights at her disposal.”

  Reid untied her boots, then removed them. “When will Gordon and the others reach the castle?”

  “Even though they had a head start, since they’re traveling with Ellington’s soldiers, it’ll take them another four to five days before they arrive.” Ackley stretched out on his bedroll. “Did Dexter tell you that your father decided to remain behind?”

  She nodded. The castle burning had caused quite a lot of concern in the City of Dorsot, so Duke Ellington thought it best to stay there with his people. Since he’d given his ring to Reid, she was able to make decisions on Ellington’s behalf. And now that she was married, the duke no longer felt like it was his place to take care of Reid.

  “When we reach the City of Buckley, what’s the plan?” she asked. Even though Dexter had been the commander of the Axian army, since he was going to be the king, he was relinquishing control of his soldiers to Gordon, who was the commander of the Marsden army.

  “I want to go through Eldon’s possessions to make sure there’s nothing we’re missing. Then Dexter can start organizing the soldiers. That way, when Ellington’s soldiers arrive, we’ll be ready for them.”

  She absently nodded, pulling at a piece of grass.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked. “There’s nothing to be worried about.”

  At that, she raised her eyebrows.

  “I’m serious. We’ve got this under control.”

  That was precisely why she was nervous. If there was one thing she’d learned, nothing ever went according to plan.

  Ackley reached out, taking Reid’s hand. “Stop worrying.”

  Dexter approached them. “Perimeter check is done. Four men are on watch.” He sat next to Reid, rubbing his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped. Instead, his focus zeroed in on where Ackley held Reid’s hand.

  Ackley immediately let go. “I better go to sleep—I have the next watch.” He rolled over, his back to them.

  Reid wondered if there was something else bothering Ackley that he wasn’t telling her. Not wanting to push the matter, she laid down. Dexter stretched out next to her. She wondered what tomorrow night would bring once they were in the castle. Would she and Dexter share a bed as husband and wife? She still hadn’t told him how she felt. Somehow, the words eluded her. But maybe there was another way. She closed her eyes, imagining how she could express her love to him.

  Reid opened her eyes. The sky was only just starting to lighten, a thick fog coating the ground. What had woken her? Usually, she was one of the last to rise in the morning. Rolling onto her side, she noticed Ackley lying there. He stared blankly into space. She mouthed, “Everything okay?” Hopefully, no one was planning to attack them. Reid didn’t think she had enough energy to fight someone right now.

  Ackley nodded before rolling over, facing away from her.

  Unable to fall back asleep, Reid snuggled closer to Dexter, the morning air cold and crisp. Once the sky lightened some more, the Knights started to wake up.

  After eating a quick breakfast, Ackley put the men into groups of three, giving each a different route to take to the City of Buckley along with a different safe house to stay at. Once the Knights left, Dexter, Ackley, and Reid set out.

  “Why are you fidgeting?” Ackley asked.

  She hadn’t even realized she’d been playing with the edge of her tunic. “What if the king told the soldiers manning the gate to be on the lookout for us? What if he told them we’re enemies of the crown?”

  Ackley shook his head. “I’m a prince. So is Dexter. They have no choice but to listen to us. And the king isn’t here to give them any orders.”

  Eldon had stripped Ackley’s title. “Technically, you’re not a prince any longer,” Reid pointed out.

  “We’ll be fine. Eldon’s plan only works if he maintains peace here in the city. If people catch word he intends to overthrow the dukes, chaos will ensue. He can’t manage the army on his own. My father saw to that.”

  “How so?” Dexter inquired.

  “Given what my father had been through,” Ackley said, “he believed each of his sons should control a different element of the kingdom. Eldon was tasked with politics, and Gordon was put in charge of the army.”

  Reid knew there was no way Gordon was capable of stepping into the role of king. Not only did he not know how to handle the dukes, but his public-speaking skills were also severely lacking, and he didn’t have the political savviness Eldon did. She just didn’t realize he was that way because of a lack of education and training manufactured by his father.

  “And you?” Dexter said. “What did your father expect from you?”

  “Originally, he intended for me to handle the kingdom’s finances. However, I pretended to be abysmal with numbers so I wouldn’t be stuck at a desk all day. When he taught me sword work, I excelled. He told me I could help Gordon with the army.” He shrugged. “I honestly don’t think he knew what to do with Idina.”

  As they exited the forest, Reid became anxious at seeing the city again. She tried to remain calm, knowing the king wasn’t there.

  “I’m surprised there aren’t agricultural fields near the city,” Dexter commented.

  “Not much grows right around here,” Ackley replied.

  “Where does your food come from?”

  “This city is only a fifth the size of the City of Radella. A lot of it is brought in.”

  Reid didn’t want to point out the rampant poverty. Dexter would see that for himself.

  “My father wanted to make sure the army was well funded, the castle cared for, and there was plenty of food on his plate. I hate to say it, but taxes are high. People don’t have a lot here. Northern Marsden is vastly different from Axian.”

  Reid hoped to change that. She wanted to take Axian’s prosperity and bring that way of life into Marsden. People here didn’t understand how much it hur
t them by not allowing women to work or own a business.

  They ascended the hill overlooking the castle. When Reid reached the top, she came to an abrupt halt, the color draining from her face.

  Ackley cursed.

  Hundreds and hundreds of soldiers surrounded the city.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Those aren’t Marsden soldiers,” Ackley stated. “Nor are they from Melenia.”

  “Who are they?” Reid didn’t see a universal uniform among them.

  “Based upon what I’m seeing, I think they’re from Cartr, Alder, and Bridger. I’ll know for certain once I get closer.”

  “Do you think they’re here to support us?” Dexter asked.

  “I sure hope so.” Ackley headed down the hill, toward the city, Reid and Dexter following suit. “Because if they’re not, we’re in a heap of trouble.”

  “With this many soldiers amassing, word is going to reach the king,” Reid mumbled.

  “Probably,” Ackley replied. “But then Eldon will realize he has nowhere to retreat to since Dexter has his men in the south, and we are here in the north.”

  “I think we need a plan in case those soldiers aren’t here to support us,” Dexter said. He stopped, crossing his arms and observing the scene before him.

  “Get moving,” Ackley commanded. “I’m sure someone is watching us. If you stand there, you’ll attract attention. Pretend like you know where you’re going and what you’re doing.”

  Dexter started hiking down the hill again. “What’s our plan?” His voice held a hint of worry, so used to being the one in control that it had to be hard for him to trust Ackley.

  “Our first order of business will be to announce ourselves at the castle,” Ackley stated. “Then, we’ll get to work.”

  Reid wondered who Eldon put in charge in his absence.

  When they reached the bottom of the hill, Ackley led them slightly north, toward the main entrance. Reid tucked her hair under her tunic, wishing she had a hat to hide it with.

  “Stop fidgeting,” Ackley hissed.