Dexter inclined his head. He took a deep breath, releasing the tension from his body. “Our preliminary plan is to assassinate the king on his journey to Axian. I want him dead before he reaches the City of Radella. There’s a narrow stretch of road that’s an easy place to set up an attack. I’m thinking of sending a group of fifty men. They’ll hide in the hills. When the king arrives, they’ll strike his carriage with special arrows I’ve had made. The carriage should catch fire. If the king steps out, attempting to get away, he’ll be shot dead.”

“Gordon is coming with five hundred men. How do you plan to handle the soldiers who attack the archers?”

Dexter smiled. “They won’t be able to. For almost half a mile, on both sides of the road, the cliff is so steep no one will be able to climb it to reach my people.”

“What about my family members?” Ackley asked.

“Tell them to travel ahead or behind the king, but not with him.”

“Are Leigh and Idina coming?” Reid asked. She didn’t think Ackley would want them anywhere near Eldon after he’d tried to kill them.

Ackley’s eyes softened as he regarded her. “They’re staying with Duke Ellington.”

Ackley trusted Reid’s father enough to leave his mother and sister in the duke’s care? “Then it’ll just be Gordon?”

“Gordon will ride with his men. Harlow and Dana will be in the carriage with Eldon.”

Reid stood and started pacing behind the sofa. “I don’t wish to kill either woman.”

“Really?” Ackley asked, peering at her. “I thought you’d relish in the opportunity to kill that sorry excuse of a woman who’s as plain as a piece of bread.”

Reid whacked Ackley on the back of his head. “That was completely unnecessary.”

“So was hitting me.” He chuckled. “You can’t tell me you don’t fantasize about smashing her face into a table. I do. Regularly.”

Leaning over the back of the sofa, she whispered in Ackley’s ear, “I haven’t thought about Gordon or Dana since I left northern Marsden.”

Abruptly, Colbert stood. “I need to get back to work. Prince Ackley, do you approve of the plan?”

“Yes, although I want a few adjustments made to lessen the casualties.”

“Agreed,” Colbert answered. “Dexter and I will work to get a revised plan to you within twenty-four hours. Dex—are you heading to the training yard?”

“Yes.”

“Good,” Colbert said. “Take Prince Ackley with you. I think you both need to spar to work off some of your excess energy. Lady Reid, come with me. We have work to do.”

Reid followed Colbert before Ackley or Dexter could argue otherwise. Once safely in the hallway, she thanked Colbert for his quick thinking.