Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,72

heading back to where they’d left the horses. The six Knights were already waiting for them.

“Report,” Ackley said.

“I found a letter from the duke to the king offering his support. He agreed to send another shipment of the blue stones. The king said not to bother since there was no one to sell them to.”

“Interesting,” Ackley mumbled.

Reid recalled the sailor Dexter had questioned. He’d been in Melenia selling jewelry. “Do you think the king knows Bridger is selling the stones in Melenia? Maybe Eldon is taking a cut of the profit for allowing it?”

“Could be.” Ackley’s head suddenly whipped to the side as he withdrew a dagger.

“Put your weapon away,” Gytha said as she stepped out from behind a tree. The sun had set and the sky was almost dark, making it hard to see the warrior woman’s face.

“What are you doing here?” Ackley demanded.

“I followed Lady Reid.”

“Why?” He sheathed his dagger.

“To make sure she is okay. She will be crowned as our queen. As such, she should have a guard.”

Ackley huffed. “What do you think I am?”

“A hot-headed man who is only thinking about what he hopes to accomplish and not what is best for Lady Reid.”

“You don’t know that.”

They both glared at Reid. “I’m not getting in the middle of this,” she said as she untied her horse. “It has been a long day, and I am tired.”

The other Knights wordlessly mounted their horses. Having no other option, Gytha and Ackley followed suit.

As they rode, Ackley and Gytha continued to argue.

“I would never let anything happen to her,” he said.

“I know. But you have to consider what it looks like to other people. You two should not be alone.”

“We weren’t. My Knights have been with us.”

“I know that. You know that. But no one else does. Prince Dexter wants a strong, unified kingdom. He needs people to believe in the monarch. You will do nothing to jeopardize that.”

“I don’t plan on it.”

“The next time you think about using Lady Reid for an assignment, a mission, or whatever it is you’re doing, take me instead.”

There was a long pause. “Thank you for the offer,” Ackley replied. “I will take you up on it.”

One of the Knights said, “I think it’s too dark to travel any farther.”

“I concur,” another said.

Reid didn’t want to stop. Stopping meant sleeping alone out here instead of at the castle with her husband. He would be worried when she didn’t return. “Does Dexter know you are with me?” she asked Gytha.

“I asked his permission to be your personal guard. He knows I went after you.”

Gytha had asked to protect Reid?

“Don’t look at me like that,” the warrior woman said. “I just don’t have anything else to do in this county. Once I get back to my army in Axian, you won’t be seeing much of me.”

“I hope that’s not true. I’d like for you to work alongside me in some capacity.”

Gytha eyed Reid. “We shall see.”

Reid laughed. That was all she could ask for.

The group found a spot to sleep for the night. The situation wasn’t ideal since they didn’t have any supplies for bedding. However, Reid didn’t care. As soon as it was light out, she could resume her trek to the castle where her husband was waiting for her.

“Reid, wake up.” Gytha shook Reid’s shoulder.

Reid groaned. The sun hadn’t fully risen yet. It was too early. Reid rolled over, her face hitting a rock. She was up. Rubbing her eyes, she stood.

The Knights were gone.

“Let’s go,” Ackley said. “If we ride fast, we can reach the castle in a couple of hours.”

Eager to see Dexter, eat some food, and bathe, Reid mounted and followed Ackley and Gytha without complaint.

When they reached the outskirts of the City of Buckley, they returned the horses to the pen they’d taken them from. Since they were delivering horses, no one questioned them.

“Let’s enter through the side,” Ackley suggested. He led them around the wall surrounding the city. When they reached the door, they found it closed and locked. No one was manning it. “That’s strange,” Ackley mumbled as he withdrew his lock picks, then popped the door open. He quickly ushered them inside before locking the door. They were on the grounds surrounding the castle, having bypassed the city entirely.

“Do you think there’s a problem?” Gytha asked, reaching for her sword.

“I don’t know.”

When they neared the barracks, a flurry of activity was going on. Soldiers ran about, some saddling horses. Gordon was off to the side, his