“No, not at all. I’m laughing because you think I could harm them. They know more than I do. I think they know exactly why I’m here. And I believe they are already a step ahead of me. You have nothing to fear.” Abruptly, Reid stood and headed toward her tent.

“I’ll be watching you, Lady Reid,” Gytha called after her.

“I’d be disappointed if you weren’t.” Reid could have sworn she heard the warrior woman chuckle.

Chapter Three

Dexter raised his hand, halting their group on the dirt road. After he gave a command Reid didn’t understand, the soldiers maneuvered into a single line. She wanted to ask what they were doing. However, since no one spoke, she figured it was appropriate to keep her mouth shut. When Markis waved for her to fall into line behind him, she did so without question.

Gytha moved to the front, leading the group into the dark forest on the left side of the road. The trees were close together, the dense foliage blocking out most of the sun. The temperature dropped, making Reid shiver. Her horse whinnied, pulling to the right. Unease filled her as she reined her horse back in line.

They traveled through the forest, no one speaking, for almost an hour. Finally, Gytha pulled her horse to a halt. Towering trees surrounded them, the tangy scent of pine heady in the cool air. Dexter dismounted before walking to the front. He paused there as if waiting for someone or something. Markis’s hand rested casually on his bow, an arrow already nocked.

A minute later, an elderly man wearing brown pants and a tunic emerged from the forest. “That you, Prince Dexter?” He limped, one leg slightly shorter than the other.

“It is, Seb.”

“To what do we owe this honor?” Seb asked as he shook the prince’s proffered hand.

“We need to talk. Unofficially. Do you have a minute to spare?”

“For you, I always have time.” The lines around Seb’s eyes deepened. “Leave the horses here so they won’t trample on anything.”

The soldiers dismounted. Reid followed suit, tying her horse to a nearby tree. Gytha ordered Markis and two female soldiers to accompany her and Dexter. The remaining soldiers were to stay with the horses.

Dexter leaned toward Gytha, speaking close to her ear. When she nodded, he stepped away. “Lady Reid,” Gytha called, her voice clipped. “You’re with us.”

Reid joined the small group as they followed Seb. He took them another hundred yards to the east, winding between trees and stepping over fallen branches. An eerie sensation made Reid’s skin prickle. She scanned the trees above, searching for the source of her unease.

“There are three men tracking us,” Markis whispered. “But it’s nothing to worry about.”

She raised her eyebrows in a silent question.

“They belong to Seb’s tribe,” he explained.