Dexter chuckled. “I hate to break it to you, but you drool. There’s a line of dirt stuck to your face from the corner of your lip to your ear.”

“And I hate to break it to you, but I don’t care.” Using her sleeve, she wiped her face off. She probably had dirt and leaves stuck in her hair as well. “And just so you know, you snore.”

“I do not.”

“Except you do.” She smiled at him.

After rising, he brushed the dirt from his body. He grabbed the blanket, folded it, and set it aside. “I’ve broken a rib before. It’s no fun.” He squatted next to Reid, then helped her to a sitting position.

Being sure to move slowly, she got to her knees before attempting to stand. Everything hurt worse than it did yesterday.

“I was going to help you up.”

Shrugging, she replied, “I didn’t need your help.”

He placed his large hands on her shoulders, forcing her to meet his eyes. “I know you don’t need my help, but you can’t fault a guy for trying.”

No, she supposed she couldn’t.

He released her. “My soldiers will escort us back to the palace now.”

As she followed him, she thought about what Gytha had said—they’d killed six of the twelve assassins. Had Gytha’s group encountered them while searching for the prince? Or had the assassins managed to infiltrate the palace? If something had happened to a member of the royal family, Gytha would have mentioned it. Reid had to assume everyone was all right.

“We thought you’d each have a horse,” Gytha said as Reid and Dexter approached.

Reid didn’t want to ride a horse right now. The animal’s movement would be too jarring.

Dexter ordered a smaller soldier to dismount and double with someone else. After, he told Gytha to ride that horse while he commandeered hers. He brought the animal to a stop in front of Reid.

Skeptically, she eyed the huge beast, knowing she couldn’t climb on it in her condition. Dexter must have realized the same because he slid his hands onto Reid’s hips, hoisting her up. After she settled in the saddle, he mounted behind her.

“What are you doing?” she asked, thankful she had pants on and could sit normally.

“You’re small, and we’re short a horse.”

Well, yes, she knew that. But it didn’t mean he had to ride with her.

“Would you be more comfortable with Gytha?”

Quickly, she shook her head.

“That’s what I thought.” Reaching around her, he grabbed the reins. “By sitting so close to you, I’ll know if the horse jars you too much. If it does, we’ll stop for a break.”

His thoughtfulness surprised her. Instead of thanking him, she mumbled, “I’m perfectly capable of steering the horse.”