Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,54
rolling onto his back. “We have that meeting this morning with Ackley and the soldiers.”
Reid pushed back the covers, sliding out of bed. The fire had died, making the room chilly. Grabbing a blanket off the bed, she wrapped it around her body. “I’ll be back.” Needing something to wear, she went to Idina’s room. On her way to the princess’s dressing closet, something caught her attention. She froze.
“Didn’t mean to scare you,” Ackley said, his voice groggy. He sat in a chair facing the window, his gaze meeting hers in the reflection.
“What are you doing in your sister’s room?” She pulled the blanket tightly around her body, trying to ward off the cold.
“I’ve been in here waiting for you.”
“Why?” She meandered over to the window, gazing outside. A thin fog covered the hills in the distance.
“I figured you’d come here looking for something to wear.”
“That’s not what I asked.” She leaned against the windowsill, facing him. A bottle sat on the floor, and Ackley smelled of mead. “What’s going on?”
He hadn’t shaved, his hair stuck up in all directions, and dark circles shone under his eyes. “You know Anna plans on killing Dexter, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“I won’t let that happen,” he promised. “I see how much you care for him.”
“Once the Melenia army is dealt with, we’ll worry about Anna.” She waited for Ackley to say what was bothering him. When he didn’t, she prodded, “Please talk to me.”
“You know, the one good thing to come out of this is I don’t have to marry Duke Lyndr’s evil spawn.”
Reid laughed. “Yes, being stripped of your title so you don’t have to marry is definitely a good thing for you.”
“I never wanted to marry.”
“I know.”
“You used to not want to marry either. But look at you. A married woman.” Something dark flitted across his eyes.
“Yes.” Where was he going with this?
“Dexter’s a good man.” He stood and stretched. “Which room did you take—so I can make sure to avoid the honeymoon suite?”
“Dexter and I…we haven’t…I think we’re going to wait…” Her face flushed. Why was she telling any of this to Ackley? Pushing off the windowsill, she went over to the closet, trying to find a simple dress to wear.
Most of Idina’s outfits were rather ostentatious. Reid combed through them until she found one that was solid green without any frills. The neckline was high, the sleeves long. It would do nicely. Taking the dress, she exited the closet.
Ackley hadn’t moved. He sat there, blank faced.
“What is it?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
“I’ll see you at breakfast.” She exited the room, heading back to the bedchamber she was staying in. When she arrived, Dexter had already changed.
She tossed the blanket on a chair. Stepping into the dress, she pulled it up to her waist. Now for the tricky part. Peering over at Dexter, she saw him studiously fixing the blankets and fluffing the pillows in an obvious effort not to watch her while she changed. She quickly pulled off her undershirt before sliding her arms into the sleeves of the dress, shimmying it onto her shoulders. “Um, can you help me?”
He wiped his hands on his pants. “What do you need?”
“Can you please tie the back for me?”
Dexter’s hands went to her shoulders, twisting her so her back faced him. Heat radiated from his body. Licking her lips, she wondered why she was more nervous now than when lying in bed kissing him last night. He gently gathered her hair, setting it over her right shoulder. He trailed his hand up her bare back before pressing his lips against her lower neck. Heat seared down her spine.
“I just pull the strings and knot them?” he asked, his voice husky, his breath tickling her.
“Yes.” Oh, holy hell, her voice sounded all breathy. She was fully clothed, and all he’d done was kiss her. How could he have such an effect on her?
He tugged the strings, cinching the back before tying it. “Finished.”
“Now what?”
“Now it’s time for us to save the kingdom.”
Reid took Dexter’s hand, and they exited the room.
Chapter Twelve
While waiting for Gordon and the others to arrive with Ellington’s soldiers, Ackley, Dexter, and Reid spent the days strategizing. They came up with several plans on how to move forward, each one dependent on what Eldon may or may not do. The days passed quickly. At night, Reid and Dexter continued to sleep in the same bed, though all they did was kiss before falling asleep in each other’s arms.