“She has a point,” Gytha said, coming into the room.
“I can’t sit around and do nothing.” Ackley threw his arms in the air.
“I understand,” Dexter said, his tone placating. “And no one is asking you to. However, we can’t have you out there tearing through the city.”
“While a search is being organized,” Gytha said, “we can investigate here. Come with me. We can find out where the men entered, and if they left any traces of who they are behind.”
“I think I’m going to be sick,” Ackley mumbled, following Gytha.
As he exited, Reid said, “We’ll find her. I promise we won’t rest until we do.”
Chapter Sixteen
Once Reid and Dexter were alone, he wrapped her in a hug. “I feel awful I’m secretly glad it’s Idina and not you,” he murmured in her ear. “If they’d taken you…I don’t know what I would do.”
“Then I guess it’s a good thing I left with Ackley.” And they’d searched the duchess’s manor, which delayed them from returning home last night. She released Dexter and sat on the sofa, thinking over everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. It wasn’t like Ackley knew someone was going to sneak into the castle. He never would have left if Idina were being threatened. But if he knew Reid were in danger…she shook her head, banishing those thoughts. Again, she was trying to find something where there wasn’t anything to be found.
Dexter plopped on the sofa next to her. “I miss having my father and brother nearby to bounce ideas off.”
“I understand. But you have me. So let’s figure this out together.”
“The main contenders are Anna and Eldon.” He sighed.
Reid wondered if he’d slept at all last night. Focusing on the task at hand, she said, “Whoever took her did so for a reason.” She just needed to figure out why so they could bargain to get her back. “What about Prince Owen?”
“He’s in a holding cell.” Dexter rubbed his face.
“Have you considered the Melenia soldiers might want him back?”
“I hadn’t thought of the possibility, but it makes perfect sense. If they’re the ones who took Idina, do you think they’ll demand an exchange? We give them Owen in return for her?”
“It’s a possibility.”
He placed his hand at the nape of her neck, gently massaging it. “I guess we should discuss it with Owen. See if he has any insight.”
“How is the new king?” Reid had only spent a few minutes with the man, so she wasn’t sure how he’d react to the murder of his entire family. Would he be like Ackley and fly into a fit of rage? Or would he be so devastated he couldn’t rally his men to fight back?
“He hasn’t spoken since reading the letter.”
“Let’s see if he’ll talk to us. Then we can determine if the Melenians are suspects or not.” She stood, reaching her hand out for Dexter. He grabbed it, and she pulled him to his feet.
Instead of letting go, he yanked her toward him. She squealed since she hadn’t expected it. When their eyes met, he slowly lowered his head, placing a soft kiss on her lips.
“I have a confession to make,” he whispered, leaning his forehead against hers. “I’m jealous you spent last night with Ackley.”
“You know nothing happened. He’s like a brother to me. And Gytha was there.”
“I know. It still doesn’t change the way I feel.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m just trying to be honest with you.”
Taking a deep breath, she said, “We’ll talk more about this later.” She wanted to try to be as honest with him as he was being with her. Since she had difficulty putting her feelings into words, she hoped to express herself by other means.
“I’ll hold you to that.” They exited the great hall. “Given what happened here, I think you need a bodyguard at all times. Gytha asked for the position, and I am going to give it to her.”
While Reid didn’t want someone following her around all day, she understood the necessity for it. Plus, Gytha had become a friend to Reid, so she didn’t mind the warrior woman. “What about you?”
He smiled wryly. “You sound like my mother. She always said the very same thing to my father and me when we tried to assign a guard to her.”
“I want you protected as well. What if you’re ambushed?”
“I’ve decided if you have a guard, then I should as well.”
“Who are you going to choose?” There weren’t many men who were more proficient at fighting than Dexter.
“If Markis were here, I’d pick him. However, since he’s with my brother, I’ll have to ask Ackley if there’s someone here he trusts.”
“What about Ackley?”
Instead of responding, Dexter pushed open the door. They exited the castle. When they entered the barracks, Reid heard two people arguing from down the hall. She headed that way, realizing it was Ackley and Gytha.
Entering Ackley’s office, she found him bent over an open chest filled with weapons. “What’s going on?” Reid demanded.
Gytha’s shoulders heaved up and down. “He thinks he is going to search for his sister alone.”
Reid understood why he wanted to look for her. She knew there would be no changing his mind. Coming farther into the office, she leaned against the wall, watching Ackley. “Do you know something we don’t?” she asked, voicing one of her concerns.
Not looking at her, he withdrew several vials, placing them in his vest. Then he picked up a handful of daggers, sliding them in pockets sewn in his pants and shirt.
“Will you at least let me talk to Owen before you leave? He may know who has her.”
Ackley went still. “Owen?”
“We captured him. Maybe the Melenians want an exchange?”
He tilted his head, eyeing her. “You’re not going to try to stop me from leaving?”
There was no stopping him. “No, I’m not. I just want to see if Owen knows anything. Will you give me thirty minutes?”
Gytha glared at Reid.
Ackley nodded. “Thirty minutes. No more.”
Reid exited the room, finding Dexter waiting for her in the hallway. “Where’s Owen?” she asked.
“Holding cell below the barracks.”
Reid had never been to the subterranean level.
Gytha stomped out of the office. “Ackley is going to get himself killed.”
“I have an idea,” Reid said. “Stay here and watch Ackley. Don’t let him leave until we return.”
“You have my word.” The warrior woman took up watch in the doorway, effectively blocking Ackley from exiting.
Dexter and Reid went to the end of the hall where a lone soldier guarded a narrow door. The man unlocked it, ushering Reid and Dexter down the steep, narrow staircase to the subterranean level. A long corridor extended before them with a dozen doors on either side, torches hanging on the walls at even intervals.
The soldier led them to the third door on the right. After unlocking it, he opened the door and examined the room. “You can go in.”
Reid stepped inside.
A single candle on a small desk lit the room, revealing Owen lying on a cot, facing the wall.
“This isn’t as dreary as I thought it would be,” Reid said by way of greeting.
Owen didn’t acknowledge her.
“Dexter told me what happened to your kingdom. I’m sorry.”
He still didn’t respond.
“You do see the irony of the situation, don’t you?”
He rolled onto his back, peering over.
“You came here under the guise of helping the king. Only, you planned to turn around and overthrow him once the dukes were removed from power.”
“It’s not the same thing,” he replied, his voice gruff.
“It’s not?”
He sat up, twisting to face her. “I didn’t plan to slaughter the royal family.”
“What did you intend to do with them?” She
folded her hands, patiently waiting for him to explain.
His eyes finally met hers. “Melenia’s purpose for being here is to secure access to the mines. Since Commander Beck can be a little…intense sometimes, I’m here to make sure things don’t get out of hand. If Melenia happened to gain control of the kingdom, I’d be here to oversee everything.”
“I’m failing to see how what you’re doing is any better than what Russek did. You both seek to take what’s not yours.”
He chuckled, the sound humorless. “And what about you? Dexter wants an occupied throne.”
Now they were getting somewhere. “He is the rightful heir.”
“According to you.”
“According to our laws.”
“Why are you here?” He tilted his head, observing her.
“Men snuck into the castle and kidnapped Princess Idina.”
“The redhead?”
Reid smiled. “Yes, but don’t let her hear you calling her that.”
“Her hair color is unique.” His eyes remained focused on Reid. “You didn’t answer my question. Why are you here?”
“I need to find Idina.” She glanced back at Dexter hovering in the doorway, appreciating he was letting her handle this on her own. Taking a steadying breath, she asked Owen, “Do you know who took her?”
“I’ve been down here in this holding cell,” he pointed out.
“I’m wondering if it’s some sort of standard protocol. If you’re captured, your men are to kidnap one of the reigning monarch’s family members in order to do an exchange.”
“Has anyone asked for me?”
“No.” She supposed if it were his men, they would have left a ransom note.
He reached forward, picking up the cup on the desk and drinking a sip of water. “That would have been a smart move.” He set the cup back down. “I doubt any of my men would have thought of it. And I’m certain Commander Beck is not eager for my return.”
Reid was sure there was a story there. However, now was not the time to inquire about it. “May I ask you a question?”
“Only if I can ask one in return.”
The last time she’d made a deal like this it had been with Ackley at the lake. She briefly hesitated before replying, “Okay.”
“I’ll go first.” He stood, then took a step closer to her. “Why are you the one questioning me?”
That was easy to answer. “Because Ackley and Gordon are not fit to speak to you or anyone else at the moment. They are both too worried about their sister.”
“Why not Dexter?”
Glancing back, she shrugged. “I had questions for you so I’m asking them. If he wants to say something, I’m sure he will.”
Owen shook his head. “I didn’t ask that right. Why is a man allowing a woman to be in charge?”
She pursed her lips. “Why not?”
“Because you’re a woman.” He scanned her from head to toe. “In pants. You’re very strange.”
Dexter chuckled but made no move to enter the room.
“Now what is your question for me?”
Reid wasn’t sure how to say what she wanted without sounding too eager. As calmly as possible, without trying to appear invested, she said, “It seems you are now the king of Melenia. I’d say congratulations, but I know that’s not what you want to hear at the moment. As king, you have the authority to withdraw your troops from Marsden and return home to retake your kingdom from Russek.”
“I’ve been considering that.” Moving over to the desk, he sat on the edge. “I don’t think I have enough men to retake my kingdom. It’s bigger than yours.”
And now for her actual question. “What if we work together?”
“Together how?” Dexter asked, coming into the room.
“I have an idea.” Which she probably should have ran by him first, but she’d been too afraid he would say no.
“I’d like to hear it,” Dexter said, standing alongside her.
“So would I,” Owen stated.
She chose her words carefully. “If you help us, we’ll help you.”
“How so?” Owen asked.
“I want you to accompany Ackley to find Idina.”
“Why me?”
“Several reasons. I need someone who isn’t connected so intimately with the situation, someone who can be objective and see things clearly, to go with Ackley.”
“I’m sure you have plenty of people who fit that bill.”
“I do.” But she didn’t have any men who were stealthy, intelligent, and skilled with the sword whom Anna didn’t know about.
“Reid, don’t you think we should discuss this first?” Dexter asked.
“Now that Owen is Melenia’s king, we have an opportunity to work with him.”
“His army is in our kingdom,” Dexter pointed out.
“I know. But consider this: Owen could have gotten away from Seb at any time. Yet, he came with the man. In addition, Owen just lost his entire family, his kingdom, and his friends. If you were in his position, you’d want someone to help you.”
Dexter pursed his lips, his indecision clear.
“I want to be sure I’m understanding you correctly,” Owen said. “If I help you retrieve Idina, you’ll support me in my bid to reclaim my kingdom?”
“Yes. We’ll send soldiers to Melenia with you to ensure you retake your kingdom.”
He held out his hand. “Deal.”
She shook it, hoping she hadn’t just made a huge mistake.
After drawing up a wordy treaty and signing it, Dexter led Owen and Reid to Ackley’s office where Gordon and Gytha waited with Ackley.
“The duchesses are saying their soldiers had nothing to do with it,” Gordon said as he paced in the small office. “Where do you plan to start looking?” He warily eyed Owen.
“I agreed to help because I have an idea of who took her,” Owen said. He went over to Ackley’s chest and rummaged around, picking out weapons to use for the journey. After sheathing a longsword, he faced Gordon.
“You agreed to help so you’d have access to our soldiers.” Gordon clenched his hands into fists, glaring at Reid.
“Enough,” Reid chided. “There are too many people in here. Gordon, return to your soldiers. I’m sure you have things to do to prepare for our march south into Axian.”
After Gordon stormed out of the office, Owen chuckled. “That would never fly in my kingdom.”
“Focus,” Reid snapped. “You said you had an idea of who took the princess?”
Dexter went around the desk and sat on the chair, watching their exchange.
“I know something you don’t.” Owen peered into the hallway, then closed the door. Lowering his voice, he whispered, “Why do you think Melenia is here?”
Dexter narrowed his eyes. “You’re here because Eldon requested aid in exchange for access to the mines.”
Reid leaned on the window ledge, folding her arms. Ackley closed and locked the weapons chest, then sat on top of it.
“That is what everyone is supposed to believe. However, there is more to it than that. My mother received a letter from a woman in Marsden seeking our help. She said King Eldon was evil and murdering his own people. She offered an enormous sum of money if we’d send soldiers to help overthrow the king.”
A sick foreboding overcame Reid. She rubbed her forehead, fearing she knew who sent the letter. But why? Thinking back over everything she’d learned these last few weeks, she recalled Leigh telling her that Anna had been in love with Hudson. However, Hudson was supposed to marry a princess from Melenia. Knowing what she did about her mother, Anna probably still held a grudge against Melenia and wanted them destroyed as well. Reid abruptly stood, another horrible thought coming to mind. What if Idina had written the letter to Russek encouraging them to take over Melenia because Anna had put the clues in front of her?
“What is it?” Owen demanded, his voice low.
“The woman who wrote the letter is Anna. She wants retribution against yo
ur family. If she discovers you’re here, she won’t hesitate to kill you.”
“You’re saying I’ve been set up?” Owen asked.
“We all have. This is one big plot concocted by Anna.”
“What are we going to do about her?”
“We’re going to kill her,” Ackley said, his voice dark. “The only problem is, she is already ten steps ahead of us.”
“We’re catching up,” Reid insisted.
“We need to do it faster.”
“What does this have to do with Idina?” Dexter asked, leaning back in the chair and propping his right foot on his left leg.
“In Anna’s letter,” Owen said, “she was extremely specific about what she wanted us to do. She said when the young woman was kidnapped, that was the start of the end. The purpose of the kidnapping was to lure Ackley and Gordon out into the open where Anna could eliminate them. Then the fighting would start. At that time, the dukes are meant to die. Afterward, the king and any remaining royal family members are to be eliminated.”
“Do we have any hope in getting Idina back before the fighting starts?” Reid asked.
“She is being taken south of Lake Folme to an open area where Anna wants the fighting to take place.”
“I doubt the king will travel there with the dukes,” Ackley mumbled.
“When the fighting starts, a group of men is to head to the palace to make the remaining kills.”
“Out of curiosity, why did Melenia agree to this?” Dexter asked.
“For a few reasons. One, my mother wanted to help if the innocent people in your kingdom truly were suffering. Two, we desperately needed the money. And three, my mother sent me without telling Anna because she feared there was something we were missing. They tasked me with figuring out what it is. Now I know.”
Reid’s eyes filled with tears. This was her mother they were talking about. Her mother. How could Anna be so cruel and heartless?
“Are you okay?” Dexter asked.
She nodded. “I need a moment alone.” She exited the office, leaning against the wall in the hallway. It felt like the walls were spinning around her.
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