Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,62

their support for righting the royal line. “I just don’t want to be overconfident,” Reid said. “We still have my mother and the Knights to contend with.”

A loud bang resounded from up ahead. “What was that?” Idina asked.

“It sounded like the front door was kicked in.” Dexter led them down the corridor.

A raucous sound came from the entryway. When they got closer to the commotion, Reid recognized one of the voices. She started running, Dexter right behind her.

“I will not yield,” Gytha hollered.

When Reid reached the front door, Gytha had one of the sentries wrapped in a headlock.

“Gytha!” Reid wanted to hug the warrior woman. “You’re here!” And she looked well—no obvious injuries from her scuffle in the underground passageways.

Gytha tilted her head toward Reid. “Obviously, I am here.”

“Gytha,” Nara said, stepping inside the castle. “Let him go. He’s only doing his job.”

“Mother.” Dexter wrapped Nara in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

Gordon and Ackley joined them.

“Looks like you broke the door,” Ackley said, pointing to the busted handle.

Gytha released the red-faced sentry.

“Is Dana with you?” Gordon asked, his voice tight.

“No, she’s not with us. I’m sorry,” Nara answered. “Princess Dana is still at the palace with the king.”

“Is she okay?” Gordon ran his hands through his hair.

“She’s fine,” she assured him.

Gytha pointed at the sentry. “Someone, tell him to go.”

Gordon ordered the sentry back to his post.

“I’m glad the both of you are here,” Dexter said. “Any word on Colbert?”

“No,” Nara said. “But we have much to tell you.”

“How did you two get here?” Reid asked.

“We rode horses until we reached the mountain pass,” Gytha answered. “Then we walked the rest of the way.”

“No one else is with you?” Ackley asked.

Gytha shook her head.

“Nara?” Leigh said, her eyes wide as she and Idina reached the front door.

“It has been a long time,” Nara replied.

Reid wondered if the two women had seen one another since Leigh ordered Nara to hide Henrick—the man they both loved.

“I’m sorry to hear about Henrick passing,” Leigh said, her voice soft.

Nara pursed her lips, but nodded. “Captain Gytha and I have been traveling for days. We need to freshen up.”

“I’ll show you to the guest wing,” Reid offered. “Then we can all speak over supper.” She hooked her arm with Nara’s, leading the woman up the stairs, Gytha following.

“No one knows?” Nara whispered.

“No. That’s the only way for it to work, right?” If people found out Henrick was alive, then he would have to be the king. Honestly, Reid would prefer it if that were the case. Then she would be a princess instead of the queen. However, Henrick didn’t want the responsibility and would do whatever he could to avoid it—even going so far as to fake his own death.

Reid opened a door. “You can stay in here.”

Nara smiled before going inside.

“Gytha, you can stay next door.” Reid opened that door.

“I am glad you are still alive,” Gytha said. “I didn’t know if you would make it.”

“Likewise. I was afraid you’d be stuck in the passageways with no way out.”

“It took some time, but I was able to make my way back into the palace. That’s when I found Nara. We waited a couple of days before leaving.” Gytha went into the bedchamber, examining the room. “Shouldn’t I stay in the barracks with the army?”

“We need you here.” Reid leaned against the doorframe, relief filling her. Her friend was just as she remembered.

“Ackley looks like he lost some weight.”

Reid hadn’t noticed.

“Is he okay?”

“Why do you ask?”

“No reason.” The warrior woman went over to the window, peering outside. “This does not seem like a prosperous city.”

“It’s vastly different from the City of Radella.”

“Do you think Ackley can give me a tour? I’ve never been out of Axian before.”

Reid chuckled. “I’m sure that can be arranged.” She closed the door, leaving Gytha alone to bathe before supper.

Heading down the hallway, she was just about to pass Nara’s room when a bang resounded from inside it. Pausing, she listened, hearing mumbling coming from the other side. She knocked, wanting to make sure everything was okay.

Nara didn’t answer. Reid hesitated before pushing the door open. “Nara?” The princess was sitting on the floor, her back resting against the foot of the bed. “Is everything all right?” Reid sat next to her.

Nara wiped the tears from her eyes. “This is the first time I’ve been alone in weeks. And seeing Leigh is a lot to take in right now.”

Reid wrapped her arm around the woman. “I’m sorry.” The