“Everything was going according to plan,” he mumbled. “Then my brother had to go and make a deal with Melenia. I did not see that one coming.” He shook his head. “Let’s go and wake the others. I’d say we should play dumb and confront the soldiers. However, they’re carrying the king’s banner. Attacking them would be the same as attacking the king.”

She led the way to Dexter’s suite, thinking about all Ackley had just revealed. After knocking, she waited.

The door opened a crack. “Reid?” a groggy Dexter asked.

“We have a problem.”

He opened his door wider, glancing between Reid and Ackley. She quickly told him what Ackley had seen.

“I feared something like this would happen, and I already have a plan in place,” he said. “Ackley, you look exhausted. Go get a few hours of sleep. In the morning, we’ll tell the others before going to the military compound to move forward with the necessary preparations.”

“I could use a little beauty sleep,” Ackley said, pushing off the wall. “Reid, I’ll walk you back to your room.”

Dexter reached out, taking hold of Reid’s arm. “I actually want to talk to Reid for a moment. I’ll make sure she makes it safely back to her suite.”

“That’s probably for the best. I wouldn’t want to accidentally fall asleep in Reid’s bedchamber and get everyone in a tizzy.” Whistling, Ackley strolled down the hallway.

Shaking her head at Ackley, Reid stepped inside Dexter’s suite.

Chapter Nineteen

Dexter led Reid over to a sofa where they sat next to one another. With the curtains pulled back, the stars provided a hint of light. Similar to Reid’s suite, there was a door to the left leading to his bedchamber, and another to the right presumably to the bathing chamber and privy.

Reid twisted toward Dexter, then froze. He wore a robe, the front open to expose his chest. Making sure to keep her eyes on his face, she swallowed, not sure what to say. His hair stuck up in every direction, and Reid had the sudden urge to run her fingers through it. Instead, she folded her hands.

“Did you want to discuss something?” she asked. She’d been in such a hurry to warn him that she’d completely forgotten her robe. However, her nightgown covered her neck and arms. She hoped he couldn’t see her chest through the thin material.

He scanned her body before quickly averting his eyes. When he rubbed the nape of his neck, Reid noticed the hint of scruff shadowing his jaw. A simmering desire started to build in the pit of her stomach.

“No,” he replied, his gravelly voice sending a shiver through her. “I’ll be honest—I just didn’t want Ackley walking you to your room.”