him?”
“I do.”
He nodded before addressing Dexter. “Then yes, I will stand in for your brother. Reid deserves the best. I’m glad she has found someone she wants to share her life with.”
“Thank you,” Dexter replied humbly.
Harlan headed toward the exit. “Oh…there’s one more thing.” He pivoted toward Dexter. “If you harm Reid in any way, you won’t have to worry about Anna, Eldon, or anyone else. You’ll need to worry about me. Every bite you take, every breath you breathe, could be your last. I’ll use a poison you know nothing about, and you’ll never ever see it coming.” With that, he left.
“I like him,” Dexter said.
Reid snorted. Harlan usually didn’t threaten people, and he was rarely so direct—especially with someone like Dexter. However, she understood why he’d done it. It warmed her heart. “He’s my best friend.”
“I know. And I’m jealous of that. I hope to steal the title from him one of these days.”
Leigh entered the room. “I enlisted two men to cook for us. Since they’re soldiers, I’m not sure what they plan to make, but they assured me I didn’t need to worry.” She sat next to Reid. “It appears we have a wedding to plan.”
“There’s nothing to plan other than getting the town’s marriage binder,” Reid said.
“Since I can’t help with the army, I intend to help with the wedding.” Leigh abruptly stood. “I have an idea. I’ll be back.” She hurried from the room.
“It’s strange for me to be around her,” Dexter mumbled.
Reid had forgotten Dexter’s father, Henrick, had been in love with Leigh before Nara. “I’m sorry. If it’s easier, we can get married without anyone else present.”
“No. She’s my aunt, and Gordon, Ackley, and Idina are my cousins. I’d like to have a couple of witnesses. It’ll be fine. It’s just…odd. But I honestly can’t complain. Not when you just discovered your mother is still alive.”
Ackley sauntered into the room. “Thought I’d find you two love birds in here.” He sat next to Reid, across from Dexter. Running his hands through his hair, he let out a sigh. “A letter just arrived.”
“From whom?” Reid asked.
“Colbert.”
“Who delivered it?” Dexter asked, a hint of panic in his voice.
“A young guy. He’s outside if you want to question him.”
“What does the letter say?”
“Gordon has it if you want to read it. It’s just an update. Basically, it says the dukes have been stripped of their titles and are being held in the dungeon. Colbert believes once the duchesses arrive, the dukes and duchesses will be killed.”
So nothing they hadn’t expected.
“I’d like to speak with the messenger.” Dexter stood. “Will you take me to him?”
Ackley agreed, and the two men exited the room.
Dexter had to be worried about his brother. Reid had wanted to ask if there was anything in the letter about Nara, but she knew not to. The warrior princess could take care of herself. Same with Gytha. Dexter had enough to worry about without reminding him of those he cared for who were stuck in the palace with Eldon.
It was hard to reconcile the fact Eldon and Dexter were half-brothers. How could two people who shared blood be so different? Of course, all Reid had to do was look at her own mother. Anna was cold, shrewd, and the opposite of what a mother should be in every way.
The following morning, Reid exited the castle and headed to where the soldiers had gathered. Men loaded supplies onto carts. Off to the side, several others sparred. Since she hadn’t seen Dexter, Ackley, or Gordon at breakfast, she assumed they were out here somewhere.
She entered the only erected tent, which served as Gordon’s command center. “You’re alone,” she said as she entered. “I thought Dexter and Ackley would be with you.”
He set his quill on the low table, observing her. “I suspect they’re sparring.”
She sat across from him. “Why is that?”
“I know my brother,” he replied. “And Dexter is a challenge to him. He fights, moves, and thinks differently.”
Scanning the maps and correspondence strewn on the table, she asked, “How are things going?”
He rubbed his face. “I’m trying to figure out how to lure Eldon out of the City of Radella in order to preserve the city. I don’t want to turn it into a battlefield.”
“Any ideas?” Dexter had marked a spot on the map where he wanted the battle to take place. It was about five miles north of the city.
“Not yet. Whenever I think about my brother, I get so angry and confused.