He peered up at her, his look freezing her in place. “I suspected, but I didn’t truly think it possible.” His eyes glazed over with a sadness that pierced right into Reid’s heart, gutting her.

She took hold of his hand. “What’s the matter?” she asked, not really wanting to know.

“Eldon killed my father. I’m certain of it.” He squeezed her hand, seeming to need to anchor himself to something. Anything.

Reid held on tightly. “Why would he do that?” she asked, trying to make sense of what he’d revealed.

“To be king.”

What kind of person killed someone just to inherit the throne? Reid pinched the bridge of her nose with her free hand. It felt like a thousand rocks had landed in her stomach. “The assassins in the forest and the castle?”

“Eldon hired them to kill Gordon, Idina, and myself.”

“I’m so sorry.” Because she didn’t know what else to say. She’d suspected Eldon was trying to eliminate all contenders for the throne. To have it verified was another matter entirely. “You’re his half brother. You have the same mother.” Did Leigh know?

“When Idina figured it out, she told our mother. Mother believed it impossible, so she confronted Eldon. Gordon, Idina, and I were present. He denied everything. And then my mother divulged the truth of his birth to my siblings. She told them about the letters, which she revealed she had in her possession. Eldon demanded she hand them over. She refused, saying if all he said were true, then he should trust her with them. He was so furious he wrapped his hands around her neck and squeezed. Gordon stopped him.”

“Is your mother okay?”

Ackley nodded, rubbing his face. “Idina is taking care of her.”

“They’re not still at the castle, are they?” If they were, there was nothing and no one to stop Eldon from trying to kill Leigh again.

“No. I sent Idina and Mother somewhere safe.”

Relief filled Reid. “Good.” As to where they would be safe from the king, Reid wasn’t sure.

“Eldon knows the letters aren’t here in the palace.” He squeezed her hand again. “Which means he has no further use for you either.”

Thankfully, Reid wore her father’s ring. With it, the king couldn’t hurt her. If he did, she could call on the dukes to rise against him. “I’m aware Eldon is on his way here for the wedding. Is he going to seize the palace when he arrives?” Or would he come back and do it at a later time? Was this visit just for the purpose of seeing what he planned to conquer and solidifying how? She couldn’t imagine an army coming into this beautiful city and destroying it.

“As far as Idina and I have been able to piece together, that’s his plan.”

Reid figured as much. “What can we do to stop him?”