Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,97
sleeping.”
“The two posted guards told me you hadn’t been disturbed.”
“We both know there’s more than one way in and out of my room.” After she spoke to Harlow that one day, the woman had left through a hidden door Reid had no prior knowledge of.
Gytha sheathed her sword, then started pacing. “That means it was someone with knowledge of the passageways.”
Few people knew the labyrinth of tunnels that existed in and below the palace. “I think it was Anna. She was talking to another person, although I don’t know who. Anna wants Owen killed tonight, hoping it starts a fight between Melenia and Marsden. Then, in the chaos, she wants the royal family assassinated.”
“We have to stop it.”
“I agree. But we have to be smart. Anna can’t know we’re trying to foil her plans.”
“You’re right,” Gytha said, still pacing back and forth. “I have an idea. Come with me.”
Reid marched beside Gytha. The warrior woman had managed to steal two Melenia uniforms. The pants were a little long, so Reid had folded them up. “Dexter is going to be livid,” she mumbled as they wound their way through soldiers and past tents, pretending as if they belonged there.
“Next one on the left,” Gytha muttered under her breath.
When Reid came to the correct tent, she cleared her throat. “Commander?” she said, using her best male voice.
“Enter,” Seb replied.
Reid ducked inside while Gytha stood watch.
“I was wondering who it was,” he said. “No one calls me that these days.”
“I need your help.”
“Figured as much.” He sat on his bed, papers in hand.
“An assassin has been sent after Idina, Nara, and Leigh.”
“Why haven’t you told your husband?” he asked.
“I think he’s being watched. In order to stop the assassinations, someone outside the royal family and army must intervene.”
“When did the assassin leave?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then I best get to work.”
“Should I tell anyone else?”
“No. I have Dexter’s men if I need them.” He placed his hands on Reid’s shoulders. “I’ll do my best to stop the assassin.” With that promise, he exited the tent.
Reid waited a minute before joining Gytha outside. The warrior woman tilted her head to the left, so Reid went that way.
“Owen’s tent is to the right of the command tent,” Gytha whispered.
Walking through the camp, Reid made sure to extend her stride in order to mimic a man’s. She easily fell into the role she’d played her entire life. Gytha, on the other hand, appeared stiff and rigid. While the woman normally wore pants and felt at home around an army, she’d never had to pretend to be a man before. Since Melenia only employed men and the two women needed to blend in, this seemed the easiest solution.
Reid pulled out the piece of paper she’d stashed in her pocket. “I have a message for Prince Owen,” she said to the guard outside the command tent.
“He’s changing for supper,” the soldier replied.
Reid dipped her head, then went directly to Owen’s tent. “Permission to enter,” she said, hoping that wasn’t out of line.
Owen pulled the flap back. His eyes locked with Reid’s. After a minute, he waved her in. Again, Gytha remained outside keeping watch.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
Quickly, Reid explained how she woke up and overheard someone giving the order to assassinate Owen to try to start a war between their kingdoms.
“Any idea who it is?” he asked.
“I believe I know who gave the order, but I don’t know who will be executing it.”
“And you’re here to warn me?”
“I am. It’s supposed to happen tonight while you’re sleeping.”
He sat on the edge of his cot. “I’ll be on guard, and I’ll have extra soldiers stationed around my tent.”
“I fear that won’t be enough.” All the assassin had to do was give the nearby soldiers a sleeping tonic, then enter and kill Owen.
“What do you suggest?”
“I think I should be in here with you.” Since it appeared Reid’s mother wouldn’t allow any harm to come to her.
“In order for me to cooperate, I want the entire story.”
“It’s long.”
“It appears we have the time.”
So Reid told him everything about her life growing up—her forced engagement to Dexter, the Knights, her mother, and why Melenia was sucked into Anna’s twisted plan. It took hours to get everything out. Owen patiently listened, asking only a few questions here and there.
When Reid finished, she guessed it had to be close to midnight. It sounded as if the activity had died down outside the tent, indicating most soldiers had retired for the night.