Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,65
matters?” Her voice lacked emotion. It sounded very matter of fact. Almost as if she were just as uncomfortable as Reid.
“No, I do not.”
Leaning on the low wall, Nara gazed out at the city and soldiers beyond it. “During my first month of marriage, I remember not having anyone to discuss such things with. I had questions…”
“Dexter and I haven’t done that yet.”
“Haven’t done what?” Nara asked, tilting her head toward Reid.
Was Nara going to make Reid say it? “Dexter and I haven’t been intimate.”
“Why not? You’re married. You should enjoy one another.”
Reid wanted to crawl into a hole.
“What are you afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid.” She just wasn’t sure what to do.
Nara took Reid’s hand. “One thing I can assure you of is when you love someone, it comes naturally. You don’t have to think about what to do.”
“Did you love Henrick?”
“Very much so.” She squeezed Reid’s hand, then released it. “I didn’t plan on marrying or even loving him. But when he came to my estate to hide from his brother, we became fast friends. I found his intelligence appealing. He wasn’t interested in me that way—he only had eyes for Leigh. However, when Leigh married Hudson, he was devastated. When he learned she was with child, and the child was born six months after the wedding, he knew it was his and it nearly killed him. I was there for him through it all.” Nara pulled her single braid over her shoulder, running her hands along it. “He had to take control of Axian, but he was still dealing with the death of his father and his brother’s betrayal. He needed a partner, so he asked me to marry him out of necessity, not want. I agreed, even knowing how he felt. I thought, with time, he’d learn to love me. And he did. It was different from how he loved Leigh. I gave myself to him in hopes of expressing that love.”
“You two seemed to have a good marriage.” From what Reid saw, they respected one another, had raised two wonderful boys, and appeared to genuinely enjoy each other’s company.
“We did. Children helped form our family. Henrick was an excellent father. We were happy. And like I said, he did love me. We had many good years together.”
“Dexter and I have so much going on that I’m in no way ready for children.” Which was one of the reasons she didn’t want to be intimate with him.
“I understand. Have you spoken to your friend Harlan?”
Why would Reid discuss something so personal with one of her friends?
Nara chuckled. “Oh, Reid, with four sisters, I thought one would have told you there are herbs you can take to prevent a pregnancy.”
“No, I did not know that.” After all, her father had raised the four girls—not their mother. She doubted he would have spoken about such matters.
“Ask Harlan. He’ll supply you with what you need.”
While Reid knew she should request the herbs—and doing so from Harlan would be the easiest way—she still wasn’t sure. Once she had them in her possession, there would be nothing stopping her from being intimate with her husband.
“What is it?” Nara asked.
“I’ve just never been good getting close to other people. Especially physically.”
“I can understand why. But don’t you think it’s time to change that?”
“Possibly.” And if being with Dexter were anything like kissing him, Reid was sure she’d enjoy it.
Reid arrived at the training yard in the barracks. In one corner, Gordon was busy teaching Idina more self-defense moves. Despite the dress she wore, her movements were fluid, her strikes fierce.
In another corner, several soldiers ringed the perimeter, watching Ackley spar with Gytha. Reid had always thought Ackley cat-like when he fought, and now was no exception. He moved so fast Gytha barely had time to block his strikes. She always managed to counter with one of her own, but he’d dart away before she’d get a hit in.
“I wish I could say I taught Gytha everything she knows,” Dexter said wryly from behind Reid. “But she knew how to fight long before I met her.”
Reid twisted to him, scanning his leather vest and pants, his well-defined shoulders and muscled arms nicely on display. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to meet his eyes. “Who taught her to fight?”
“Her two older brothers.” He nodded at one of the corners. “Want to go a round with me?”
Reid was about to tell him that she needed to prepare for their meeting with the duchesses when he