Dexter went over last-minute details with Owen, Reid hugged Idina. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Reid asked.
“My answer is the same as the last twenty times you asked,” Idina replied.
Reid released her. “I just want to make sure.” She’d feel awful if Idina married Owen out of obligation and not desire.
“Don’t worry,” Idina said. “I’m sure. I’ve always wanted to travel and see the world. This will allow me to experience more than I ever could staying here.”
“It’s time to get going,” Ackley announced.
“My men will remain in Melenia until the Russek army has withdrawn and you’ve regained control,” Dexter said. “If there’s anything else we can do to help, send word.”
“I will,” Owen replied. “Once I’ve reestablished control, the Russek king will pay for slaughtering my family.”
Reid turned to Gytha. “I’m going to miss you.” That was something she never would have thought possible the first time she’d met the warrior woman.
“And I will miss you, Queen Reid.” Gytha chuckled. “That still doesn’t sound right to me. You will always be Lady Reid to me.”
“I hope to see you again.”
“You’re not getting rid of me forever,” Gytha assured her. “Just for a little bit.”
Sucking in a breath, Reid faced Ackley. “I was hoping you’d stay to head up the Knights.” Now that Anna was dead, the organization needed a new leader.
“There’s already someone in charge,” he replied.
“Who?” It was probably one of the twelve Knights who’d worked with him as a unit in Gordon’s army.
“I can’t tell you,” he said. “And don’t even try to figure it out. The Knights must be independent of the monarchy.”
While Reid agreed, she couldn’t help but be curious.
“Now that you’re married,” he reminded her, “you’re no longer a Knight. So you are not privy to that information.” He nudged her with his shoulder. “Stop trying to figure it out.”
Dexter chuckled. “It’s going to drive her mad not knowing.”
“I know.” Ackley smiled, though it seemed tinged with sadness. “And that makes it all the sweeter.”
Dexter wrapped his arm around Reid, and they watched their friends exit the room.
“I’m going to miss them,” Reid said.
“So am I.”
Kamden entered. “Father is ready to leave.”
The duke had chosen to return to Ellington with his four daughters and their families today.
“Why is everyone leaving all at once?” Reid complained.
Kamden chuckled. “Because you two need some time alone. The kingdom eagerly awaits a new heir.”
Reid’s face flushed with embarrassment. “I’ll see you to the stables,” she mumbled, wanting to change the topic of conversation. “I hope you’ll come back to visit me.”
“Of course. Especially now I know I have grandparents here in Axian.”
At the stables, there was a flurry of activity as Duke Ellington prepared to depart. Reid bid each of her sisters farewell, begging them to visit when they had a chance.
Duke Ellington wrapped Reid in a hug. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you, too.” She removed the ring her father had given her all those months ago. “Now that I’m queen, I can’t be your heir as well. Make sure you give this to one of my sisters.”
He took the ring, sliding it back on his finger. “I will.” After kissing her, he mounted his horse.
“Don’t worry about Father,” Kamden said. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”
Kamden took the reins to her horse, about to mount. Reid reached out, grabbing her sister’s forearm. Kamden hissed.
“Are you okay?” Reid asked.
“I’m fine,” Kamden said. “I just have a small cut on my arm. Nothing to concern yourself with.” She mounted. “I’ll write to you once we’re home!” She steered her horse out of the stables, Duke Ellington following. The rest of Reid’s family was situated in horse-drawn carriages. The carriages lurched forward, following the duke.
“What’s the matter?” Dexter asked.
Reid touched her forearm—the location of her Knight’s tattoo. Her eyes widened.
“Do I even want to know?”
She shook her head.
Markis and Colbert strolled into the stables, Finn with them. “We’re headed over to the military compound,” Markis said. “Do you two want to join us for a friendly sparring match?”
“As fun as that sounds,” Dexter replied, “you two go on without us. Reid and I are going to take the rest of the day off.”
Colbert snorted before shaking his head and exiting the stables.
“What are we going to do for the rest of the day?” Reid asked, dozens of possibilities coming to mind.
Dexter took her hand, pulling her from the stables and into the palace. “I have something to show you.”
She had no idea what it could be.
He stopped before a door. “Ready?”
“For what?”
“We’re going to play a game.”
“A game?”
“Yes.”
“I’m very competitive.”
“I know.” He smirked. “And I am demanding a rematch.” He opened the door, revealing a pub.
It looked exactly like the pub near her grandparents’ manor. It even had the same dartboard hanging on the wall.
“Shall we?” Dexter sat at one of the tables.
Reid took a seat across from him. Two mugs had been placed on the table, along with a handful of coins. She burst out laughing. “Once wasn’t enough?” Picking up a coin, she positioned it under her finger and flicked it, hitting Dexter’s forehead.
“With you, once is never enough.” He winked.
* * *