Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,19
him farther away from her own bedchamber.
After a quick bath, Reid dressed in pants and a tunic. She supposed she could have borrowed one of Kamden’s dresses, but she didn’t see the need to worry about what she wore since they were staying in the castle for the rest of the evening.
Reid entered the sitting room, finding Kamden perched on one of the sofas.
Smiling at her sister, Reid poured herself a cup of steaming tea before sitting next to her.
“Father looks exhausted,” Kamden observed.
“He’s been through a lot.” Reid realized her sister had no idea their mother was alive. Setting her cup on the low table, she twisted to face her. “There’s something you need to know.” She wasn’t sure how to reveal the truth in a way that wouldn’t be shocking. Best to just come out with it. “Kamden, when I was in Axian, I met—”
“There you are,” Ackley said as he sauntered into the room. “I remember one of our first conversations took place in this very room.” He slid his hands in his pockets. “This is where you tried to convince me that you were a man. Only, you’d stuffed your pants with a stocking, which had fallen to the side.” He chuckled.
She wanted to ask him if Anna had told him that she was a woman or if he’d figured it out on his own.
“Lady Kamden, I don’t mean to be rude, but I must steal your sister for a moment.”
Rising, Reid followed Ackley to her father’s study.
He closed the door. “I need you to send your sister away.” He left no room for argument.
“You don’t trust her?”
“It’s not safe for her to be near us right now.”
Reid hadn’t considered coming here would put Kamden in harm’s way.
“I’ve already spoken to your father on the matter. Royce is going to escort Kamden to your sister’s house. Which one is the closest?”
“Bailey.” Her sister’s home was less than a day from the castle.
“Tell Kamden to pack. She leaves in fifteen minutes.”
“Even though she knows Idina and Leigh are here?”
He went over to the window, gazing outside. “Yes. It’ll be safer. It’s only a matter of time before Victor or someone else shows up looking for you.”
The thought of Victor or anyone interrogating Kamden didn’t sit well with Reid.
“I know it’s hard,” Ackley murmured. “I know you want to spend time with her. But sometimes, because of the position we are in, the power we wield, we have to do things we may not want to for the betterment of others.”
“I understand.” Reid had already been doing that her entire life.
On her way back to the sitting room, Reid heard Kamden giggling. When she stepped into the room, she found Dexter—with wet hair—sitting across from Kamden. He was telling her some hunting story. Reid hadn’t even known he hunted.
She cleared her throat, capturing their attention. “Sorry to interrupt. Kamden, I need you to go pack. You’re going to Bailey’s house. Now.”
Eyes wide, Kamden stood. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes.” Reid forced a smile. “This is simply a precautionary measure. Nothing to worry about.”
“If I leave, who will cook for you and your guests?”
“We’re not staying here long.”
“Then why send me away?”
“War is brewing. I need you somewhere safe.”
Kamden nodded. “I always enjoy going to Bailey’s. While my niece may be a terror, the watchman’s son more than makes up for any inconvenience.”
Reid pursed her lips, deciding not to reply. Father would never allow Kamden to marry a commoner. Shaking her head, she watched Kamden hurry from the room.
Dexter managed to start a fire in the hearth. The wood crackled as it took. “It’s wise to send your sister away.” He sat back on the sofa.
“You’re agreeing with Ackley again? You must be ill.” She took a seat next to him.
Running a hand through his damp hair, he grinned. “So this is where you grew up.”
“It is.” Suddenly nervous at the idea of revealing so much of her life to this man, she became tongue-tied, not sure what to say.
“I think we should stay here until we have a formal plan in place. Once we know what we’re doing, then we can travel to the City of Buckley.”
“Should I send word to any of my other sisters to tell them to be on guard?” While they’d all married well, none were in positions of importance.
“No.” He stretched his arms along the back of the sofa. “They should be safe. The king is after the dukes. Anna is after the king.”