“You don’t know where the Knights’ headquarters is located?” Reid tossed the stick on the ground, then wiped her hands on her pants.
“No.” The wind ruffled his gray hair.
Now for the question Reid had been pondering over since she’d left the manor. “Why do you think Anna doesn’t want a relationship with us?” And how could she have treated them so coldly?
“I wish I could answer that for you. However, I fear I must admit to not knowing or understanding your mother as well as I thought I did.” He stood and faced the stream, his back to Reid. His fingers curled in, making two fists. “I take it back—that woman isn’t your mother. She may have given birth to you, but that’s it.”
Reid wholeheartedly agreed. “I’m sorry she was so rude.” Considering Duke Ellington could expose Anna’s secret to the kingdom, Reid thought the woman would have been nicer to him. Not only that, but didn’t she feel anything for the man she’d had five children with?
“Because of her, I have never been with another woman.” He slid his hands in his pockets, shoulders slumped.
Reid had forgotten the promise he’d made Anna on her deathbed—that he’d never remarry. Now, Reid realized he couldn’t have. Not legally.
“I thought she’d finish running the Knights and come back to me one day. I stayed true to her all these years.”
Sadness filled Reid. Her father had sacrificed companionship on the slim chance he’d be reunited with his first love—a woman who had never and would never return that love. And when they’d finally been reunited, it hadn’t ended up as her father hoped it would. Anna had been cold, uncaring, and ambivalent to his feelings.
Boots crunched on dirt as Gordon emerged from the trees. “I didn’t see anyone nearby,” he said, sitting beside Reid. “You two okay?”
Reid nodded, lost in thought. There had to be a way to oust the Melenia army, dethrone Eldon, and crown Dexter king, all while ensuring minimal loss of life. And Reid needed to make sure Anna didn’t double cross them. As much as Reid didn’t want to admit it, she saw the way Anna had looked at Dexter and Colbert—as if they were filth beneath her feet. Reid didn’t trust her mother for one second. She had a feeling once she was crowned queen, Anna would find a way to kill both Dexter and Colbert.
While Reid continued to ponder how to rid the kingdom of the Melenia soldiers and Eldon, Gordon spoke with Duke Ellington about the number of soldiers in Ellington, where they were stationed, and how to call them to arms quickly.
About an hour later, Dexter and Ackley returned.
“We didn’t see any evidence of Melenia soldiers,” Dexter announced.
“Although, there are a few Axian soldiers,” Ackley said as he plopped on the ground.
“You don’t think they’d report your whereabouts to the king, do you?” Reid asked.
“No, I don’t.” Dexter sat next to her. “They are loyal to me. It’s safe for us to travel through the town, but I want to make sure we don’t attract any attention. If the king sends someone here, I don’t want any of the citizens to mention they saw us traveling north.”
Reid nodded in understanding. She knew she’d have to pretend to be a man when they reached Ellington. It made no difference to her if she had to don the persona a little earlier than expected. If someone was on the lookout for three men and one woman, they wouldn’t think twice when seeing their traveling party—especially since there were five of them.
“What about rallying your men?” Gordon asked Dexter. “How many do you have spread throughout the county?”
“In each of the major towns, I have fifty men stationed.”
“Are the majority in the City of Radella?” Gordon rubbed his jaw.
“They are,” Dexter replied. “And to answer your previous question, when Captain Gytha put the military compound on lockdown, a few things happened. Not only did we evacuate the city, but half my soldiers also left as well. They are supposed to meet at Camp Lival about five miles outside the city. The rest of my men are awaiting orders in the compound.”
Hopefully, since the military compound resembled every other building in the city, Eldon would have no idea the soldiers were there.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” Duke Ellington said. “Your father mentioned a man named Seb. Was he referring to Sebastian Rutter?”
Dexter nodded. “The one and only.”
“Do you know him?” Reid recalled Seb had only agreed to make the weapons for Dexter after he’d learned the prince was marrying her. Seb had also been the commander under King Broc.
“Funny you should ask,” the duke said. “Seb’s nephew is Becket.”
Shock rolled through Reid. “Ainsley’s husband?”
“Yes. Seb’s sister, Sara, married a wealthy landholder who resided in Ellington before trade and travel ceased with Axian.”
Reid couldn’t believe her eldest sister was married to Seb’s nephew. She whacked Dexter’s arm. “Did you know?”
“I knew Seb’s sister had moved to Ellington and married well. During negotiations, I used your father’s name to persuade Seb to work with me. But I had no idea how intimately he was connected to your family.”
“As entertaining as this is,” Ackley said, “I’d like to get through the town before dark, so we have time to set up camp.” He jumped to his feet.
Reid clambered to hers, too. “I’m worried Anna is planning more than she told us.” Reid went over to her horse, untying it from the tree.
“Oh, I’m certain she is,” Ackley said as he tightened the girth straps on his horse. “That’s why it’s imperative I reach the City of Buckley to speak to the Knights in the army.”
“Do you think they’ll side with you over her? After all, Anna is their leader.”
“I’ve been working with them for years. They’ll listen to me.”
Reid hoped he was right. She mounted her horse. “How’d you become a Knight?” Since Anna seemed to hate the Winston family, why had she recruited Ackley?
“That’s a long story.”
“I’d like to hear it.”
“Tell you what—let’s make it through town without incident. When we set up camp for the night, I will bestow my story upon you.” He waved his hand in a grand flourish.
Reid laughed. “Deal.”
As they rode through the stream, Gordon continued to scan the land. “Five riders traveling together will gain unwanted attention.”
“I agree,” Dexter replied. “That’s why we’re going to split up. I’ll go with you and the duke. Ackley will stay with Reid.”
“We’ll head to the east end,” Ackley said. “Once we cross through, we’ll maintain a northerly course until we reunite.”
“Excellent. We’ll go to the west. I don’t want anyone to know we’re here. Be as discreet as possible.”
Ackley nodded in acknowledgment.
The duke dropped back beside Reid. “Are you armed?”
She patted the daggers strapped to her arms and thighs, hidden underneath her clothing.
“Good. Stick close to Ackley and be careful.”