Only two women remained outside. As the wood burned down, the flames slowly lost their luster. Before long, both women rose, bid Reid goodnight, and ducked into their tents.

Now was her chance. Furtively, she withdrew Ackley’s letter from her bosom and quickly tossed it into the fire. The edges curled and blackened before it disintegrated into ashes. What felt like a huge weight lifted from Reid, allowing her to breathe easier.

“What was that?” Gytha demanded from behind Reid, startling her.

Not wanting to lie, Reid decided to tell a version of the truth. “Not that it concerns you, but it was a letter.” Maybe the way to gain Dexter’s trust was through gaining Gytha’s.

“A letter from your king?” Gytha moved into sight, towering over Reid.

It didn’t escape Reid’s notice that Gytha had said your king instead of our king. “No, from a friend.”

“A male friend?” she asked, too much interest apparent in the question.

“Yes.”

Gytha sat beside Reid, her focus on the dying fire. “Are you sad to leave him behind?” She seemed to sincerely want to know.

Reid studied the warrior woman, realizing she had a unique opportunity here. She could lie by pretending she’d had to leave a lover back home. Maybe it would be something they could bond over, a way to gain Gytha’s trust. But Reid was tired of lying. Even though she had no problem stepping into a role and playing a part when needed, she had a tough time hiding her emotions. In the end, she decided to go with honesty. “While the letter was from a man, he is only a friend, nothing more.”

Gytha tilted her head, gazing candidly at Reid. “Are you romantically involved with anyone?”

Out here under the night sky, with this woman’s attention directly on her, Reid felt exposed. “No. What about you? Do you have a romantic relationship with anyone?” Would Gytha admit she had feelings for Dexter?

“Not anymore.” The answer was spit out, clipped and sharp.

Well then—that said it all. For whatever reason, Dexter and Gytha had severed their relationship. Had it been because of Reid? Had the roles been reversed, would she have done the same? Picking up a small pebble from the ground, she rolled it between her fingers. She needed to start gaining allies. “I was raised as a boy.” It was hard to open up to someone like Gytha. Someone who clearly didn’t want to be Reid’s friend.

Gytha snorted. “What does that even mean?”

Keeping her eyes focused on the pebble, Reid attempted to explain her childhood. “My mother died while giving birth to me. I was the fifth child—and the fifth girl. Without a son and heir, my father stood to lose his land and title. In desperation, he made the announcement that my mother had borne a son instead.”

“Why didn’t he just remarry?”