wish to discuss what I have planned, we can do that.”
Dexter bristled. It was Reid’s turn to slide her hand onto his thigh, gripping it so he’d maintain his composure. When she felt the hard muscles in his leg and the heat radiating from his body, she flushed. They were in the middle of a crisis, and she was thinking about the muscles in Dexter’s leg. Reid needed to get her priorities straight. Not only that, but her father sat across from her. She could feel him watching her. When she went to remove her hand, Dexter grabbed it, holding it in place.
“Before we get to your plan,” Dexter said, addressing Anna, “please explain how you’re alive.”
“Agreed,” Gordon said, not bothering to eat.
Anna glanced at Reid. “Delivering my fifth child was difficult. The midwife who came to help with the delivery thought I’d died since there was so much blood. After she left, I told Tatum I couldn’t stay in Ellington any longer. I had to use the opportunity given to me—it was the perfect cover. Tatum agreed, so he announced my death. He had my body transported to Axian, where I was to be buried.”
Anna’s response lacked emotion, remorse, or reason. Dexter clenched Reid’s hand. She remained quiet, not sure what to ask since her thoughts were jumbled.
“Once you returned to Axian, what did you do?” Dexter inquired.
Anna’s focus zeroed in on Dexter. There was something about her eyes that made Reid squirm. It almost seemed as if malice or contempt filled them.
“Please,” Reid said. “I’d like to know.” And she wanted Anna’s attention off Dexter.
Anna glanced at her parents, the duke and duchess of Axian, before answering. “The Axian family has been in charge of the Knights for generations. Normally, the eldest son inherited the dukedom while the second-born son took over the Knights. Since there was no way for me to inherit the title and land, I decided to take control of the Knights.”
Shock rolled through Reid. Her mother had chosen running the Knights over raising her five children? Tears filled her eyes.
“Your mother wasn’t happy with us,” Duke Ellington explained to Reid. “When she almost died, I realized I had to set her free. That’s why I helped her get to Axian. After that, I had no contact with her. All these years, I hoped she was alive and well. I assumed she was running the Knights, but I never knew for sure.”
Reid didn’t want to hear another word from either of her parents right now. She was about to stand when Ackley reached across her to grab a bowl of vegetables.
“Stay,” he whispered. “I know you’re upset, but we have more important things to deal with right now.” He spooned a serving of green beans onto his plate.
Of course he was right. Reid couldn’t let her family drama distract her from saving the kingdom.
“You abandoned your five daughters,” Dexter said. Laced with fury, his deep voice cut across the room.
“For a greater cause,” Anna replied, as if it should be obvious. “The Knights were in need of a leader.”
“Who was in charge of it before you?” Reid inquired. “Grandfather’s brother?” She realized Duke Gregor had to have a brother since she’d met Victor, her second cousin. Where was he now? What had happened to him?
“As fun as this family reunion is,” Ackley drawled, “we have more pressing matters to discuss.” He tapped his finger on the table, impatient as always.
“I agree,” Anna replied. “We need to focus on what’s important.”
How could this heartless woman be Reid’s mother? She’d always assumed a mother was nurturing, kind, and protected her children. Anna didn’t seem to possess any of those traits.
“A group of Marsden soldiers will travel to the palace,” Anna stated. “Once they arrive, they will attack the Melenia soldiers, causing the chaos we need.”
“Chaos for what?” Colbert asked.
“For the Knights to kill the king.”
Ackley pursed his lips. “And once the king is eliminated?”
“Now that Prince Henrick is dead,” Anna stated, “Dexter and Reid will rule.”
Reid rubbed her throbbing head, wondering why no one was arguing with Anna’s asinine plan. They couldn’t sacrifice soldiers to create a distraction in order to murder the king. This was madness.
“You’re assuming the Marsden soldiers will kill enough of the Melenia soldiers that they won’t be a threat any longer, I take it?” Colbert asked.
“Yes.”
They couldn’t possibly be considering Anna’s plan, could they? Reid had thought Ackley, Gordon, Colbert, and Dexter were smarter than that.
The queen’s warning came back to her—in