Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,94
Stepping around Eldon, he opened the door, revealing a steep stairwell.
Eldon went first, limping as he made his way down. Ackley followed his brother. Reid went last, being careful not to slip on the slick stone steps. Torches lined the narrow path, providing enough light to see. At the bottom, a single corridor extended before them with a dozen doors on either side. The thick air smelled of human excrement, making Reid gag.
“I’m surprised it’s so small.” Reid thought it would be larger, especially given the size of the palace and surrounding city.
“From what I understand,” Ackley replied, “this is supposed to be a temporary facility. Prisoners are housed elsewhere.”
Reid would have to ask Dexter. Maybe the military compound had a larger dungeon below it.
Ackley reached around Eldon, swinging a door open and shoving his brother inside.
Eldon laughed as he stumbled over to the flimsy cot. His wound had bled through the makeshift bandage, soaking it with blood. Shaking his head, he said, “You’re no better than Henrick.”
Ackley simply shrugged.
“He betrayed his own brother,” Eldon spat. “And now you betray me.”
“You’re alive,” Ackley said. “Just remember that.” He closed the door, locking it.
Chapter Twenty
The last time Reid stood in her suite had been on her first wedding day. Little had she known at the time Eldon was about to declare Henrick dead, stop Reid and Dexter from marrying, and order Ackley’s execution. So much had changed since then.
Gytha knocked on the open door, gaining Reid’s attention. “King Dexter asked me to check on you.”
Reid waved her into the room.
“Is everything okay?” Gytha asked, joining Reid at the window overlooking the palace lawn.
“Everything is fine.” She just wished she could crawl into bed for a few hours. However, too much had to be done. She’d only ducked in here to change and freshen up. “Any word on when Idina, Nara, and Leigh will be here?”
“King Dexter sent a messenger north to their camp. The soldiers with them are to accompany them here immediately.”
The sun had just crested the land in the distance, casting the area in a soft glow. Melenia soldiers camped on the front lawn. Owen wanted his soldiers to pack up in the next day or two, reconvening east of the city, where the rest of his forces were currently stationed. Then, once everyone had been accounted for, they would travel together to the port where the war ships were supposed to dock.
“Has Dexter decided how many men will be accompanying Owen?”
“There are only so many ships. I think he said about seven hundred can be transported to Melenia. He’s asking for volunteers.”
“I assume you’re staying?” She couldn’t imagine not having Gytha nearby.
“Axian is my home. I don’t intend to leave.” The warrior woman nudged Reid’s shoulder.
“I’m glad.”
A dog bounded into the room, jumping on Reid. She knelt on the floor, allowing Finn to assault her with his kisses. She laughed while scratching him behind his ears.
Colbert stuck his head in the room. “I see some things never change.” He absently played with the door handle.
She stood. “Is everything all right?”
“Dex wants you to join him downstairs. He’s going to speak with the ruling families in thirty minutes.”
“Do you know what it’s about?”
“We’re just trying to make sure everyone is accounted for and adequate security is in place. We don’t know what all Eldon has done since we’ve been gone.”
Reid assumed Dexter would want every room, corridor, and passageway checked. He wouldn’t be able to rest until he knew—without a doubt—he had total and complete control of the palace again.
“I’ll be right there.” She still needed to change out of her traveling clothes. Not only did she smell, but she also didn’t present the image of a queen. Even though she hadn’t been crowned yet—her coronation would take place directly after her public wedding ceremony to Dexter—she needed to start presenting the appropriate persona now.
After Reid quickly bathed and put on a dress, Gytha escorted her to the great hall located on the first floor. Dozens of people already filled the room. Reid recognized the dukes and duchesses, who’d all managed to bathe and change since they’d last parted, along with a few other people she assumed to be the ruling families from Axian. She suddenly felt like an incompetent child. How could she go before these powerful people and speak? How could she presume to know what was best for this kingdom when she’d experienced so little of it?
“Breathe in and out,” Gytha mumbled. “Otherwise, you will faint.”