him. Closing her eyes, she chided herself. She needed to focus. Opening her eyes, she attempted to think rationally. “If you were shorter, I’d throw my head back and hit your head.” The top of her head didn’t even come up to Dexter’s chin. What else could she do that would be effective? Well, he was a man. Reaching back, she patted his groin. “I could squeeze until you let me go.” She heard him suck in a quick breath.
He released her, quickly retreating. “Yes, that will work.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “When your attacker lets go, you run like hell.”
Chapter Eight
For the second time in Reid’s life, she stood before a mirror, readying herself for her wedding. Hopefully, they’d get through the entire ceremony this time. If they did, she’d be married in a couple of hours.
Ironically, the last dress she’d worn had also been a wedding dress. The one she wore now, Idina had confiscated from Kamden’s bedchamber. Even though it wasn’t made for this occasion, it suited Reid just fine. The light blue fabric covered her shoulders and arms, fitting snugly against her chest and hanging straight to the floor. It was simple, yet elegant, and it made her feel pretty.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Idina said as she came into Reid’s room, “but I went into the field and picked some flowers.” She set a bundle of wildflowers, lavender, and ferns on the desk. “I can braid a couple into your hair, and you can carry the rest during the ceremony.”
Reid smiled. This was starting to feel like a good-old country wedding.
“It’s nice to see you happy,” Idina commented.
“Having the ceremony with only a couple of people makes it feel more like a wedding and less like a merging of counties or a business deal.” It also made it more intimate, more personable, and more real.
“Regardless, that element is there. Never forget that no matter what you feel for Dexter, you are a representative of Ellington, and you will be the queen of Marsden. That comes with a lot of responsibility.”
Even though Reid knew she could handle the position, it was the social interactions she would have to get used to. Especially since Axian and northern Marsden were vastly different. She would need to find a way to merge the two, forging a new future for all involved. She just had to survive the next couple of weeks.
Eldon had put out a kill order on all the Knights. If the king managed to capture Reid, he’d order someone to eliminate her. She rubbed her temples, thinking about the Knights. Hopefully, Ackley would be able to control the small contingent of Knights in northern Marsden. If Anna maintained control over the organization, who knew what havoc they’d cause. There were so many unknowns.
Idina tied several of the flowers together, making a crown for Reid. She set it atop Reid’s head. Placing her hands on Reid’s shoulders, she looked into her eyes and said, “Tonight is about you and Dexter. But come tomorrow, you two need to focus on what’s ahead of us. Understand?”
“Yes.” And since it was just them, she decided to ask, “Did you tell your mother we plan to assassinate Eldon?”
“I did.”
“How did she take it?”
“After he attempted to strangle her, she realized her son had changed and is a danger to the entire kingdom. My mother supports us, and she will do what needs to be done to secure peace in Marsden. Dexter is part of our family—and, very shortly, you will be, too.”
Someone knocked on Reid’s door. Idina answered it, talking to whoever was on the other side. When she shut it, she smiled. “It’s time.”
Reid took one last look in the mirror. The flower crown added a nice touch. She picked up the remaining flowers, tying a ribbon around the stems to hold them together.
As they exited Reid’s room, Idina said, “I hope you don’t mind, but we rearranged the great hall for tonight.”
Reid wasn’t sure what they could move other than the table. “I’m sure whatever you did is fine.”
Idina glanced over her shoulder, smiling at Reid. “Don’t look over the mezzanine and ruin it.”
Keeping her focus on Idina, Reid descended the stone stairs to the first floor, wondering what they could have done.
Idina stopped. “Wait here until the music starts.”
“Music?” Where’d they get music?
A sly smirk spread across Idina’s face before she turned the corner and disappeared from sight.
Rolling her shoulders back, Reid tried to calm her