much more fun.”
“This is Eldon’s home?” Dexter asked, eyeing the castle.
Ackley shrugged. “Idina, my mother, Gordon, that miserable wife of his, and I all live here.”
His brows drew together. “It’s…not what I expected.”
“Rarely is anything what we expect it to be.” Ackley threw open the front door. “I’m home,” he announced. No one responded. The castle smelled musty, and there were no candles lit. Not a single servant was in sight. “Let’s see if anyone is in the great hall.” Ackley strolled down the hallway, whistling as he went.
“Hudson grew up in the palace at the City of Radella,” Dexter mumbled as he followed Ackley.
Reid nodded.
“I thought he would have built something far grander here. No wonder Eldon wants the palace for himself.”
This castle was more in line with Reid’s grandparents’ manor. “Now you can understand some of my astonishment at seeing the palace for the first time.”
Entering the great hall, they found it unoccupied. The curtains were drawn shut, the room was dark, and the fireplace empty.
“Is no one here?” Reid asked. The place felt abandoned.
Ackley tilted his head to the side, cracking his neck. “Let’s go to the barracks.”
They exited the castle, heading to the adjacent building that housed the army. Several soldiers stood outside, talking to one another.
“You there,” Ackley barked, addressing the closest man. “What’s going on?”
The man snapped to attention. “What do you mean, Your Highness?”
“Who is in charge and who are the soldiers outside the city wall?”
The man’s eyes widened, then he swallowed. “Shortly after you departed, the king left with the rest of the royal family, accompanied by half our soldiers. The castle was closed down since he didn’t know when he’d be returning. We were told to maintain our position here.” He pointed at the barracks. “We are to keep a secure perimeter of the castle and city. There are three armies outside the wall. Soldiers from Cartr, Alder, and Bridger.”
Ackley folded his arms. “Why are there soldiers here from the neighboring counties?”
The man glanced between Ackley and Dexter. “To face the invading army from Axian?” He said it as if asking a question instead of giving an answer.
Ackley tapped his chin with his pointer finger. “I want you to announce there will be a meeting tomorrow morning in the courtyard of the barracks. Dismissed.”
The man agreed and left.
“I need a drink,” Ackley muttered before heading back toward the castle. “What are you thinking?” he asked Dexter.
“That these three counties are heeding the king’s letter. The duchesses are here with the soldiers he requested. They’re probably waiting for the remaining counties to join them. Once they do, they will march together into Axian, joining with the Marsden and Melenia soldiers already there. With those numbers, Eldon will be able to easily gain control of Axian, thus taking over the entire kingdom.”
“I agree.”
“Hopefully, the duchesses in the north received Reid’s letter asking for help. I’m optimistic Reid convinced them to join us instead of following Eldon’s orders.”
“What’s the purpose of the meeting tomorrow?” Reid chimed in.
“I want to introduce the men to Dexter. Then we’ll start getting them organized so we can plan our own assault.”
Inside, Ackley went straight to the staircase.
“I thought you needed a drink?” Reid said, wondering why he wasn’t going to the sitting room or the great hall.
“I just said that in case anyone overheard me.”
Now that she was thinking on the matter, she rarely saw Ackley drink. “Then what are we doing?” Because he was clearly walking with purpose.
He glanced over his shoulder. “We’re going to my mother’s room.”
Instead of questioning him as to why they were headed there, Reid and Dexter quietly followed him. When they arrived, the door hung open on one hinge. Inside, clothes were strewn everywhere, the curtains shredded, and the bed flipped upside down.
“What happened?” Dexter asked.
“After Eldon tried strangling my mother, I snuck her out of the castle and hid her at Reid’s home. Once Eldon realized she was gone, he probably had her room searched for the letters.” Ackley went farther into the room, stepping over a drawer.
“I still can’t believe Eldon tried killing Leigh.” Reid moved around a ripped dress, peering into the bathing chamber. It, too, was a mess with wooden buckets smashed into pieces and towels strewn about.
“I’d never seen him so angry before.” Ackley rubbed his tired face.
“Do you think Eldon found the letters?” Dexter asked.
Ackley picked up a chair knocked on its side, setting it upright. “No. They’re hidden.” He knelt on the hearth.
“How did you