Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,63

words didn’t seem adequate, but she didn’t know what else to say.

“I thought I was strong enough to do this,” Nara whispered. “But now, I’m not so sure.”

“To do what?”

“Live without him. Not that he gave me a choice.”

She was talking about Henrick then. “What does he plan to do?” Where would he go? Where would he live? How could he just abandon his family like that?

“I have no idea. Seeing Leigh brought up all sorts of feelings I’m not prepared to deal with right now. I mean, he always loved her. Probably more than me.”

“But he loved you, too.” Reid was certain of it. Nara had given him two children. Had stood by his side through all those years.

She wiped her eyes again. “He always respected me. We were dear friends. But he never genuinely loved me like he did her.”

Reid’s heart broke for Nara. “That’s his loss.” Nara was a wonderful woman who deserved so much more.

“I have to put on a brave face for my children. For my county. I just didn’t think it would be this hard.”

Reid realized it was like Henrick had truly died for Nara. She didn’t have the heart to tell the woman they’d seen Henrick at Reid’s grandparents’ manor. If Dexter wanted to reveal that information to his mother, he could. It wasn’t Reid’s place to do so.

“Enough about me,” Nara said, patting Reid’s hand. “How are you doing?” Surprise coloring her features, she blinked and lifted Reid’s hand, examining the wedding ring.

“Dexter and I got married.”

Nara grinned. “I’m glad.”

“We still plan to have another wedding—an elaborate one—in Axian.” She didn’t want Nara to feel like they’d gone behind her back.

“I think that’s wise.”

“We had a small ceremony at my home.” Reid’s voice broke on the word home. Not wanting to go into details, she left it at that.

“I hope you and Dexter have a long and happy marriage. Welcome to the family, Reid.”

Over supper, Gytha explained the king was livid when he discovered the city was void of people. He flew into a fit of rage, screaming at the remaining people in the palace. Furious, he moved as much of the Melenia army as possible to the palace lawn, forcing them to camp alongside the Marsden soldiers who’d accompanied Gordon to the palace. When he questioned the palace servants—undercover Axian soldiers—where the Axian army was, they said it was small, unorganized, and spread throughout the county.

“Do you know if they’ve rendezvoused at Camp Lival?” Dexter asked.

“No,” Gytha replied. “I didn’t receive word from Colbert.”

“What about the dukes?”

“They are being held in the dungeon.”

“The palace has a dungeon?” Reid asked. She hadn’t seen it while there.

“Yes,” Nara replied. “It’s quite small and rarely used. There is a bigger one at the barracks.”

“Thank you for the report,” Dexter said. “When you’re done eating, please let Duchesses Cartr, Alder, and Bridger know the state of their husbands.”

“I’ll show you where they’re staying,” Ackley said.

“Then I need to spar,” Gytha replied. “Ackley, you will be my sparring partner. You look like you need to liven up a bit.” She shoved a spoonful of mashed potatoes in her mouth.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ackley took a sip of his wine, eyeing Gytha.

“I think you know.” She resumed eating, not bothering to explain any further.

A soldier entered, carrying a piece of paper. “A message for the commander.”

Both Dexter and Gordon held out a hand. The soldier hesitated.

“Sorry,” Dexter mumbled. “Habit. Prince Gordon is the commander.”

Reid knew it was hard for Dexter to relinquish control of the army. However, with him declaring his right to be king, someone else had to be in charge of the soldiers. Since Gordon was the commander for the Marsden army, it only made sense for him to continue in that position.

Gordon reached for the paper, quickly reading it. “Duchesses Ryder and Lyndr will arrive tomorrow.” He rubbed his forehead. “They will require some coaxing to get them to join us.”

“When will the duchesses from the north be here?” Dexter asked.

“Our reports indicate they’ll arrive by the end of the week.”

“Then let next week be the agreed-upon time. We will take our kingdom back and dethrone the king.”

That night, lying in bed alongside Dexter, Reid was restless. She rolled over, fluffing her pillow. Again.

“What’s wrong?” he mumbled.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Obviously.”

Sighing, she rolled onto her back. “Something about Leigh is bothering me.” She couldn’t work through it in her mind, so she didn’t know how to explain it.

“She’s a fairly reserved person,” Dexter admitted. “It’s