“I don’t know,” he replied.

It was only natural he wouldn’t know, seeing as he was a soldier from northern Marsden. Reid had only asked the question so if the king inquired after her, the soldier would relay she’d needed to relieve herself.

She exited the room. Five steps down the hallway, Gytha suddenly appeared at Reid’s side. Silently, they made their way to Duke Ellington’s chambers. Not bothering to knock, Reid entered with Gytha. Her father continued to shove clothes into a travel bag without looking up.

“Where are you going?” Reid asked.

He tied the bag, then studied Reid, his hands on his hips. “To speak with the person in charge of the Knights.”

Reid had never seen a tattoo on her father’s wrist, so she knew he wasn’t a Knight. “You know about them?” She glanced at Gytha, who stood quietly by the door.

“I do,” he replied.

Had Ackley told him? Or had he found out some other way? “I already sent them a message. They know a foreign army is here.” And she hadn’t heard a word about what they wanted her or Ackley to do. Weren’t the Knights supposed to be protectors of the kingdom?

“I can’t sit around when we are on the brink of war. I must do something.” He slung his bag over his shoulder. “I won’t be back in time for the wedding—if the wedding even takes place.” He went over to the window, peering outside. The lawn was still full of soldiers. “You have a choice.”

He’d never given her a choice before.

“You can come with me now or you can stay here. There are pros and cons to each decision. However, I must leave before the king has a chance to stop me.”

“What do you hope to accomplish?”

“We need to show this army that we are not to be trifled with. We will send them back to wherever it is they’re from.”

Reid agreed with his end goal. However, she wasn’t sure how to go about accomplishing it. If she went with her father, she’d be running away. It might keep her safe and out of harm’s way. Yet, the thought of leaving Dexter here to fend for himself didn’t sit well with her. Not only that, but if she left, she’d also be turning her back on her wedding. On the other hand, this was Reid’s chance to get out of it. However, no matter how she looked at it, the idea of running away and not marrying Dexter felt wrong. “I’ll stay.”

The duke nodded. He approached Reid, then kissed her forehead. “Be smart, stay safe.” On his way out of the room, he mumbled something to Gytha before disappearing.

“Now what?” Reid asked, having no desire to return to the sitting room where the king was.