Reid knew Dexter took security seriously. The last thing she needed or wanted was the two of them fighting. Placing her hand on Dexter’s arm, she said, “Is everything all right?” She assumed he was here because of the message he’d received.

He focused on her. “Yes. I wanted to see if you needed anything. I thought you’d be in bed resting by now.”

“Why would she be in bed?” Ackley demanded.

“The king sent a group of assassins after us.” Dexter glared, fists clenching. “Reid fought one. Came out of it with a cracked rib.”

“Ah, yes. Sorry excuse for assassins if you ask me.” Ackley plopped on the chair, kicking his feet up on Reid’s dresser.

“They’re not from Marsden, are they?” Reid asked as she sat on her bed, curling her legs under her.

“And that is what I need to discuss with you.” He laced his hands behind his head. “Idina has discovered a few things.” He kept glancing at Dexter, who stood at the end of the bed.

“You can speak freely in front of him,” she said.

Ackley raised his eyebrows. “Can I?”

“I’ve been investigating men from Bridger going to Melenia to trade,” Dexter said. “It seems that every time a ship returns, it contains more men than it set sail with.”

Ackley nodded. “Turns out they’re soldiers. Idina uncovered correspondence between Eldon and the king from Melenia.”

“Soldiers?” Reid asked. Her ears began ringing, her stomach twisting. This was so much worse than anything she could have imagined. “Does Gordon know?”

“He knows.”

Reid’s heart sank. “He’s going to support his brother and king no matter what, isn’t he?”

Ackley shrugged. “I can’t be sure. Eldon is keeping us apart—so we have little opportunity to converse.”

Reid fidgeted with the end of a string on her dress. “Where are these Melenia soldiers?”

“Some are in Bridger. Idina said something about them mining for precious gems as part of their payment. Others have been dropped off somewhere along the Axian coastline.”

Dexter started pacing. “How many soldiers are accompanying the king here?”

“Eldon has ordered half of Gordon’s men to stay behind in the city. The other half are coming with him to Axian.”

“That’s not nearly enough for an invasion,” Dexter commented.

“No,” Ackley said, “it’s not. Which leads me to believe Eldon will be using the Melenia soldiers.”

Dexter rubbed his face. “I need to send word to the men I have watching the ports and inns.” When he reached the doorway, he turned to Ackley. “Let’s go.”

“I want to talk to Reid.”

“Lady Reid needs to rest. And we should make your presence known. Come, I’ll introduce you to my parents.”