Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,101
head. “I did it for you, Reid.”
Her brows drew together in confusion. “What do you mean—for me?”
“I’m sorry.” He averted his gaze. “I didn’t mean to confess anything or make you uncomfortable.”
She shook her head. “But you’ve never thought of me that way.” They were like brother and sister, weren’t they?
“I didn’t realize I loved you until you were kidnapped. By then, it was too late. You’d just married Dexter that day.” He sighed. “That’s why I volunteered to go to Melenia. I can’t stay here and watch you with Dexter. It’s too painful. Besides, I told Idina she should marry Owen. It’s a smart match she’ll benefit from. Now I can keep an eye on her, too. I’m sorry. I don’t know what Harlan gave me. He had me drink some tonic that apparently makes me pour out my deepest secrets.”
She squeezed his hand. “Your secrets are safe with me.”
Someone knocked on the door. “Can I come in?” Gytha asked.
“Of course.” Wiping the tears from her eyes, Reid stood.
“How’s he doing?”
“He’ll live.”
“Do you mind if I sit with him?” Gytha asked.
“Not at all. I’ll go help outside since I know Ackley is in good hands.” Forcing a smile, Reid walked out of the bedchamber, not looking back. She didn’t want to see the expression on Ackley’s face.
Out in the hallway, she slid to the floor, burying her face in her hands. So much had happened tonight. She didn’t know what to think or feel.
A wet nose nudged her arm, and she looked into Finn’s excited eyes. He licked her face, making her laugh.
“One of these days, Reid,” Colbert said as he strolled down the hallway toward her, “you’ll need to take my advice.”
“And what advice would that be?” she asked, wiping her eyes yet again.
“All of it.” Colbert reached down, placing his hand on Reid’s head. “I told you about Ackley a long time ago.”
She didn’t want to talk about it.
“Are you okay?”
She shrugged.
“Dex had all the dukes and duchesses locked in the great hall as a precautionary measure tonight. I was in there with them. Your father has been worried sick about you. I think you should go see him.”
She nodded, then stood. The pair headed along the hallway, Finn running in circles around them.
Chapter Twenty-One
Reid stood in front of the mirror, observing her dress. The ivory fabric hugged her chest and arms, flowing freely to the floor. When she turned, it swished like water. A simple necklace her father had given her accentuated the scooped neck.
“You look beautiful,” Kamden said.
Reid turned to face her sisters. Ainsley, Bailey, Emerson, and Kamden, all together in Axian for Reid’s public wedding and official coronation.
“I can’t believe you’re going to be the queen of Marsden in a couple of hours,” Kamden said, sighing. “It’s so romantic.”
“I don’t know about that,” Reid replied.
“Only Kamden would think it romantic,” Ainsley said. “Being the queen won’t be an easy task. You’re going to have your hands full with people wanting something from you. It will be hard to maintain your sense of self and make time for your family.”
Reid rolled her eyes. Ainsley always had to be overly practical.
“Since no one else is bringing it up,” Bailey said, “I will. Do you have any questions about what’s expected of you on your wedding night?”
“She’s already married,” Kamden reminded her.
“But they’ve been in separate bedchambers,” Emerson pointed out.
“Only to make this day more special,” Reid explained. Originally, Nara had designed a suite where they’d each have a private room connected by a joined room. However, Reid and Dexter decided they no longer wanted that arrangement. A new suite had to be made—one containing a single bed for them to share. Their new suite hadn’t been ready until today.
Seeming scandalized, Bailey’s eyes went wide. “Do you mean you’ve already had relations with your husband?”
Kamden snorted. “Have you seen her husband? Of course she’s shared his bed. She’d be stupid not to.”
Ainsley stepped forward, putting her hands on Reid’s shoulders. “Now that you’ve been with a man, is there anything you’d like to talk about?”
Shocked her sisters wanted to discuss something so personal, Reid shook her head.
Ainsley sighed. “Try not to look so horrified at the prospect of sharing something with us.”
“I’m sorry,” Reid muttered. “It’s just…”
“We know,” Emerson said. “You hate to talk about anything personal.”
Kamden laughed. “Oh, Reid, we love you dearly. But you should try to lighten up. If you can’t talk with us about these things, who are you going to talk to?”