Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,48

dawned on her that something was bothering him. “What’s on your mind?”

He rocked back on his heels. “I’m afraid of Anna. I’ve been so focused on Eldon and what he intends to do that I never saw her attack coming. I fear I’ll miss something else.”

“It’s not your fault.” Anna was responsible for burning Reid’s home and kidnapping her—not Ackley. “If it makes you feel any better, she scares me, too.” Anna had years to plan this. “But if there’s anyone who can outsmart her, it’s you.”

“I’m glad you have so much confidence in me.”

While he probably meant the comment as a joke, his voice held a hint of sadness, making Reid pause. “Is something else bothering you?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Ackley…”

“Fine.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Your kidnapping really threw me off.”

“You found me. Everything is fine.” She kicked at the ground with the tip of her boot. “And it’s not like you can plan for every possible scenario. I know you pride yourself on having a plan and several backups, but sometimes things just don’t go the way you think they will.”

“You’re right. But that wasn’t what I was referring to. When I realized you were gone, something in me snapped.”

She couldn’t imagine if the roles had been reversed. If she’d discovered her father, Dexter, or Idina were missing, what would she have done to save them? How would she have felt?

“I realized I’ve been lying to myself about something. Your kidnapping forced me to face it. And now I don’t know what to do.” He looked everywhere but at Reid.

She had no idea what her kidnapping had forced him to face. Instead of inquiring about it, she said, “You’re a good man, Ackley. I think you expect too much of yourself. No one is perfect.” She smiled, trying to reassure him.

“Let’s get back,” he whispered. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

When they returned to the others, Ackley walked Reid over to where Dexter waited for her. Ackley then left, saying he had the first watch.

“Since we’re short on bedrolls,” Dexter said, “I told them we’d share one.”

Reid simply climbed under the blanket. Dexter stretched out next to her, wrapping his arm around her waist. Nestling against her husband, she fell into a blissful sleep.

The following days fell into a routine. The group rose early and traveled until it was too dark to walk any farther. Then they would set up camp only to do it all over again the next day. After a week, Ackley finally declared they would arrive at the City of Buckley tomorrow.

Unease filled Reid. Anna knew they were headed to the castle. Not only that, but it also felt wrong to be going to Eldon’s home while he remained in the City of Radella—Dexter’s home. However, there weren’t any other options since they needed to organize the army, and this was where a majority of the army was located.

After stretching out her bedroll, Reid plopped on top of it, exhausted.

Ackley laid out his bedroll next to hers. “Tomorrow, the Knights will break into smaller groups before heading into the city. I have a few safe houses Anna knows nothing about.”

“Do you think she has other men in the city?” Reid was afraid her mother would somehow be watching them.

“No. We’ll still need to be vigilant, but she only has the Knights at her disposal.”

Reid untied her boots, then removed them. “When will Gordon and the others reach the castle?”

“Even though they had a head start, since they’re traveling with Ellington’s soldiers, it’ll take them another four to five days before they arrive.” Ackley stretched out on his bedroll. “Did Dexter tell you that your father decided to remain behind?”

She nodded. The castle burning had caused quite a lot of concern in the City of Dorsot, so Duke Ellington thought it best to stay there with his people. Since he’d given his ring to Reid, she was able to make decisions on Ellington’s behalf. And now that she was married, the duke no longer felt like it was his place to take care of Reid.

“When we reach the City of Buckley, what’s the plan?” she asked. Even though Dexter had been the commander of the Axian army, since he was going to be the king, he was relinquishing control of his soldiers to Gordon, who was the commander of the Marsden army.

“I want to go through Eldon’s possessions to make sure there’s nothing we’re missing. Then Dexter can start organizing the