could possibly want.
“Once we’re settled in the City of Radella, will you teach me to fight?”
“You’re assuming we’ll win,” Reid muttered. If only she were that confident.
“We will.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“The alternative isn’t acceptable.”
Reid chuckled. “I happen to agree with you.” She eyed her friend. “You want to learn to fight?” While Reid had no doubt Idina could do it, the request surprised her. The woman had always been so good at organizing covert operations and seeing patterns that Reid wasn’t sure why Idina would want to learn to fight.
“I’d like to be able to defend myself.”
Reid understood the value in that. “Why wait? We can start your training now.” Quite frankly, it surprised her that Idina’s brothers hadn’t taught her already. It was a skill every princess should know. Especially when war loomed on the horizon.
“Thank you.”
“How’s your mother?” Reid hadn’t seen Leigh since supper last night.
“She’s fine. Although, I haven’t told her anything about our plans to assassinate Eldon. She knows we plan to remove him from power—which she agrees with given his erratic behavior.”
That made Reid remember something. “Henrick said Hudson behaved similarly around the time his father died.” Could there be a connection between the two? Some sort of illness? Or drug perhaps?
“Eldon can’t stand the fact Mum confronted him. Even though she is his mother, he holds little respect for women. So while his behavior seems erratic, it is in line with how he’s always been. My father loved his wine, women, and doing whatever he wanted. Even though Eldon is not his biological child, they are remarkably similar. And Father doted on Eldon.”
Reid took another sip of her tea before setting her mug on the dresser. “Are you okay with us assassinating your brother? We could just…put him in the dungeon?” There were ways to eliminate him from power without killing him.
“I’ve studied enough to know we have little choice in the matter. While I don’t want my brother to be murdered, someone has to stop him. He intends to destroy Marsden and harm thousands of people. I can’t let him do that. If killing him saves all those lives, spares this kingdom, and brings peace, it is a small price to pay.”
“I agree.” Even though the thought of intentionally killing Eldon made Reid’s stomach queasy. “I have a question for you.”
Idina plopped on Reid’s bed. “What is it?”
“How do you feel about Dexter being king?” Would Idina rather one of her brothers hold the position? Would there be problems in the future? Bitterness? Resentment?
She shrugged. “I don’t personally know Dexter that well, but my research has told me that he is qualified to rule this kingdom. I fear Gordon is too focused on the army to be able to handle the citizens and dukes. Ackley is, well, Ackley. He could never stay in one place. It would be too confining, and it would destroy him.”
Reid still hadn’t asked Dexter if he wanted to be king. So far, he’d been willing to accept the responsibility his father had shoved on him, but that didn’t mean he wanted it.
“What do you plan to do with Harlow?” Idina asked, plucking at a string on the blanket.
“I hadn’t thought about it.”
“Make sure you do. She is young and from a powerful county. You’ll need her father, Duke Bridger, on board. You can’t assassinate Harlow’s husband without offering her family some sort of retribution.”
Why hadn’t Reid thought about Harlow being from Bridger before? Duke Bridger controlled the mines—the mines Melenia was after. Reid filed the information away in case it came in handy later.
“What is it you want out of this deal?” Reid asked.
“Other than not being forced to marry some useless lord, I don’t know what I want. I’ve never been given the choice. Traveling with you to the City of Radella, seeing the kingdom, and having some freedom is more than I could ever ask for. I also think bringing your sister along will be good for her. She has only ever considered marrying. I want her to see there are other options out there. She is capable of so much more.”
Reid happened to wholeheartedly agree with Idina.
Chapter Six
“Will your mother be okay by herself?” Reid asked. Since there weren’t any servants in the castle, Leigh would be completely alone.
“She’ll be fine,” Ackley said. “And Royce is nearby in the stables if she needs anything.”
They left, Dexter and Reid riding side by side while Gordon, Ackley, and Idina rode behind them. Reid steered her