“Colbert can fill you in.” He left with the map in hand.

“I’m going to head out, too,” Ackley said. “I should be back in about a week.” He practically ran from the room.

“What am I missing?” Reid asked, bemused.

Colbert leaned back against the sofa, sighing. “Dex left to meet with our men who are going to carry out the mission.”

“The men from the other night?”

He nodded.

“Are any of them soldiers in the army?” she asked.

“No. They’re all citizens of Axian. They do not work at the palace and are not soldiers in the army.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “They are highly trained men and women who are not attached to the royal family in any way.”

That made sense. “Are you okay?” She moved to sit next to him. The dark lines under his eyes made it appear as if he hadn’t slept in days, and his skin seemed unnaturally pale.

“I’m fine. Just worried. The plan for assassinating the king is a solid one. But some factors have me concerned.”

“Such as?”

“The men from Melenia. Where are they? Ackley thinks he knows, so he’s leaving to investigate.”

“Dexter isn’t going with the group, is he?” She didn’t know what to call them—rebels?

“No. He’ll be back in a bit.”

The door opened, and Nara entered. “Lady Reid, how are your ribs?”

“Much better.” They were sore, and it still hurt to move too much. However, Reid couldn’t sit around doing nothing any longer. Not when the king was on his way, an assassination plan was in the works, and she was getting married soon.

“I was hoping you’d say that. I need your help.” Nara approached the narrow bookcase in the corner of the room.

“What are we doing?”

“You need to be able to exit the palace quickly in case something happens.” She waved Reid over. “On the right side of this bookcase, there is a lever. Raise it, and it unlocks the door.” There was a clicking sound, then Nara pulled the bookshelf toward her, revealing a dark corridor. “There are a series of hidden passageways between the walls. It’s time you learn your way around here.” She stepped into the darkness.

Reid spent the following week working alongside Nara. The princess wanted to make sure Reid knew her way around the palace—including the servants’ hallways and the vast array of hidden corridors Reid hadn’t known existed. Nara explained they’d been designed for a takeover. It not only allowed the royal family to quickly exit if need be, but it also allowed for their soldiers to infiltrate the palace. Once Reid could navigate the entire residence in the dark, Nara made her memorize what rooms the guests were staying in as well as where those rooms were located.