After an uncomfortable minute, he smiled. Addressing everyone present, but keeping a keen eye on Reid, he said, “My brother, Prince Gordon, has an announcement.”

Reid wondered what Gordon could have to say. He sat directly across from her, Dana at his side.

Gordon’s focus remained on his plate as he cleared his throat. “Princess Dana and I are expecting our first child.”

A round of applause rippled through the room. Someone made a toast, congratulating the parents-to-be.

The news surprised Reid. While Gordon didn’t care for Dana, they’d managed to make a child together. Which meant they’d been intimate. She couldn’t imagine Gordon sleeping with Dana.

“Try to wipe that horrified look off your face,” Ackley murmured. “I know it’s shocking to imagine Dana performing such duties, but it must have happened. At least once.” He took a drink of his wine, waggling his eyebrows.

Reid tried not to laugh.

“Father, are you all right?” Dexter asked.

A sheen of sweat covered Henrick’s forehead. “I’m fine,” he said. “Although, I do think I’m going to retire for the night. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.” He’d been fine earlier, and Reid had only seen him eat a few bites of his food.

Nara stood. “I’ll go with you.” They exited the room, Nara glancing over her shoulder once, worry evident in her creased brow.

“I hope Prince Henrick isn’t too sick to attend the wedding tomorrow,” Eldon said. “It would be a shame if something happened to him.”

Fear and anger boiled inside Reid. If Eldon did something to harm Henrick in any way, she’d assassinate him herself.

“Lady Reid,” Gytha said, stepping away from the wall where the personal guards were stationed for the evening. “The seamstress wishes to see you. I assume it is to make sure your dress is ready for tomorrow.”

Gytha was lying. Reid’s completed dress already hung in her bedchamber. “Of course.” After Reid stood, she gracefully exited the room, her hands shaking at her sides.

“Sorry,” Gytha mumbled once they were alone. “I had to get you out of there. If you could have seen the expression on your face…”

“Don’t apologize. I don’t think I could have been around the king another moment.”

They went directly to Henrick’s bedchamber. He was already in bed, Nara at his side.

“How is he?” Reid asked.

Nara shook her head. “I don’t know. I sent for a healer.”

“Is he actually sick or is this Eldon’s doing?” Gytha demanded.

“Eldon is my son,” Henrick wheezed. “He wouldn’t hurt me. I’m sure this is just a cold. It will pass.”

Nara pushed his hair back off his forehead. “You’re right,” she said. “Your own flesh and blood could never do something so evil.”

Reid spotted a single tear slide down Nara’s face.

Chapter Twenty-Two