Of course he did. “I’d enjoy seeing the two of you fight,” Reid said. “I’m not sure who’d win.”

“I would,” Gytha called from the other side of the door.

Reid groaned while everyone else laughed.

“Does this mean you’ll cooperate?” Dexter asked.

She nodded and grabbed her fork, stabbing her eggs with more force than necessary.

As soon as she finished eating, Dexter asked her to accompany him to the military compound. He told Gytha she could have the next hour off since he would be with Reid. When they were by the lake with no one around, he informed her the king should have reached the pass yesterday where the assassination would occur.

“Does that mean King Eldon could already be dead?”

He nodded.

Walking beside Dexter, she tried to imagine what the assassination would have been like. Did the king suffer? Would anyone miss him? Reid wasn’t sure the queen would care. “When will we have confirmation?”

“I was hoping we would have it before breakfast.”

“Do you think something is wrong?”

“If I don’t have word by supper, then yes, I will know something is wrong. I’m going to try not to worry until then.”

She shivered, hoping everything went according to plan. With the king dead, would Melenia return to where they came from?

They entered the military compound, then went to Dexter’s office. “I thought you should know we received a letter from your father. He said he won’t sign the marriage contract until I’m named my father’s heir.”

Reid had figured as much. “Does your father know?”

“He does. Once the letter came, we showed it to Father, hoping he’d change his mind. He said he wanted to talk to Eldon first.”

“If Eldon is dead, your father will have to change his heir.”

“True. However, when Ackley told Father that Melenia is marching toward us and they are in league with Eldon to overthrow him, he signed the papers. I am officially my father’s heir. He sent word this morning to your father.”

“I imagine my father is already on his way for the wedding.”

“Probably.” Dexter sat on the edge of his desk. “My father also asked your father to have soldiers at the ready in case they’re needed.”

Reid started pacing. “Ironic we’re preparing for a wedding and a war.”

“The wedding was supposed to prevent the war.”

Clearly, that wasn’t going to happen. “Do you still think it wise to move forward with the wedding?”

“I do.” He folded his arms. “With the king dead and the threat from Melenia neutralized, we’ll need the dukes to be on board with crowning my father king. Our marriage and the support from Ellington will help ensure a peaceful transition.”

Reid hoped Henrick lived a long, healthy life so Dexter wouldn’t become king. The last thing she wanted was to be queen.