with either of my sons.”
“Where do you plan to go?” Reid asked.
“There’s a place for me,” he said. “But since I’m dead, no one can know where.”
“What about Nara?” she asked.
“We’ve already said our goodbyes.”
Why were so many people disappointing Reid today? How could Henrick walk away from his wife? His marriage? His kids?
Abruptly, Dexter stood and hugged his father, bidding him farewell. Colbert did the same. Neither tried to convince Henrick to stay.
Chapter Three
They set out after breakfast. Ackley and Gordon rode in front, Duke Ellington in the middle, and Reid and Dexter brought up the rear. Dexter insisted they stay off the main roads in case Eldon had soldiers searching for them.
They traveled all day, barely speaking. Nervous and on edge, Reid kept scanning the nearby areas, on the lookout for threats—or a wagon with a broken wheel, like the assassins had used the last time to try to lure Reid and Dexter in. When it became too dark to safely navigate, they stopped. Since Dexter didn’t want to risk a fire, they ate the bread and cheese they’d brought with them. Afterward, they stretched out on the hard ground and slept.
Ackley woke them before the sun crested the horizon. After another day of traversing over rolling green hills, they stopped just before suppertime.
“You don’t want to ride for a few more hours?” Reid asked.
“There’s a town up ahead,” Dexter explained as he dismounted. “If we skirt around it, it’ll take us an extra day to reach the Gast River.” He wiped his brow on his sleeve. “I’ll go ahead and scout the town to see if there are any Melenia or Marsden soldiers. I can’t imagine there are, but I want to be sure.”
“I’ll go with you,” Ackley said.
Dexter nodded. “Gordon, you remain here with the duke and Reid. We’ll be back in two hours.”
Reid dismounted, watching Ackley and Dexter walk in the direction of the town. Taking hers and Dexter’s horses, she led them over to the stream so they could drink. After feeding and rubbing them down, Reid sat, leaning against a tree.
Gordon announced he wanted to scout out the area to be sure no one was nearby. After he left, Duke Ellington sat across from his daughter.
“It’s pretty here,” he said.
They’d stopped in a valley. A stream cut through it with tall maple trees on either side. Clouds filled the sky, hinting at rain.
“Can I ask you something?”
Duke Ellington nodded.
Reid picked up a stick, twirling it between her fingers. “Did you know Anna was in charge of the Knights?”
He sighed. “Before agreeing to send her to Axian, I made her tell me why she wanted to go. She told me about the organization, and explained how her father needed her.”
“A few weeks back, when you went to see if she’d help us, how’d you know where to find her?”
“I didn’t. Shortly after I arrived in Axian for your wedding, I visited Gregor and Constance. I told them I wanted to see Brianna. After I explained how there were rumors of a foreign army in Marsden, I said it was imperative I speak with her. I told them I’d return to the manor in a couple of weeks, which is what I did.”
“You don’t know where the Knights’ headquarters is located?” Reid tossed the stick on the ground, then wiped her hands on her pants.
“No.” The wind ruffled his gray hair.
Now for the question Reid had been pondering over since she’d left the manor. “Why do you think Anna doesn’t want a relationship with us?” And how could she have treated them so coldly?
“I wish I could answer that for you. However, I fear I must admit to not knowing or understanding your mother as well as I thought I did.” He stood and faced the stream, his back to Reid. His fingers curled in, making two fists. “I take it back—that woman isn’t your mother. She may have given birth to you, but that’s it.”
Reid wholeheartedly agreed. “I’m sorry she was so rude.” Considering Duke Ellington could expose Anna’s secret to the kingdom, Reid thought the woman would have been nicer to him. Not only that, but didn’t she feel anything for the man she’d had five children with?
“Because of her, I have never been with another woman.” He slid his hands in his pockets, shoulders slumped.
Reid had forgotten the promise he’d made Anna on her deathbed—that he’d never remarry. Now, Reid realized he couldn’t have. Not legally.
“I thought she’d finish running the Knights