Reid almost laughed. Ackley could easily dispatch all four soldiers in under twenty seconds. However, he remained kneeling on the floor, staring at his brother. The queen’s words rushed back to Reid—what were Ackley’s motives for behaving so submissively? If he acted like a crazed assassin, everyone would believe the king. However, if he seemed like a non-threatening brother whom the king simply wanted to get out of the way, then people might begin to doubt the king.

“Kill him,” the king ordered.

Without thought, Reid lunged forward to help Ackley. However, Dexter caught her, pressing three fingers into her back. He wanted her to move on the count of three. She slid Nara’s dagger from her sleeve, palming it as she prepared to attack. Using three fingers, Dexter then touched four spots on her back, indicating the four soldiers surrounding Ackley. Then he tapped the lower right spot, meaning he needed her to strike the soldier closest to her. He touched one finger, the second, and then the third.

With every ounce of strength she possessed, Reid threw her dagger at the soldier closest to her. It embedded deep into his back. He stumbled, falling forward.

The soldier holding the sword to Ackley’s neck raised his arm high, preparing to strike. Dexter withdrew his own sword, slicing into the soldier’s arm before he could kill Ackley.

The soldier who held the second sword on Ackley met with the same fate, thanks to Gordon.

Grunting, Gytha threw a dagger at the fourth soldier’s chest. He crumpled to the floor.

All four soldiers had been injured or killed in less than five seconds. Heaving in deep breaths, her wedding dress now splattered with blood, Reid stood tall, wondering what they were going to do now. The king remained frozen, his eyes wide with shocked fury.

An odd groaning sound reverberated, then the floor beneath Ackley opened. Still on his hands and knees, Ackley fell straight down, disappearing from sight.

Dexter shoved Reid. She yelped as she went flying into the hole, tumbling onto the hard, dusty floor. Chaos reigned above her. She scrambled out of the way just as Dexter landed on his feet next to her.

“Run,” Dexter commanded.

Instantly, Reid sprang to her feet, ignoring the pain in her ribs and her scratched hands. A long hallway stretched out before her, Ackley already running along it. She sprinted after him. The king shouted at his soldiers to attack. Screams rang through the air.

The hallway ended in a small empty room. Ackley waved her forward, then pushed her out of the way. Dexter came in right behind her, Gordon soon after.

Gytha sprinted toward them, sword in hand. Two soldiers gave chase, mere feet behind her. “Shut the door,” she yelled as she turned to fight.

“No!” Reid cried, moving to help her friend.