Ackley yanked her back as Dexter slammed the door shut. He slid a metal bar across it, sending them into complete darkness.

“We have to help her!” Panic and horror consumed Reid. She couldn’t let her friend die.

There was a rubbing sound, then a torch flared to life. Dexter held it up, blinking away tears. “Let Gytha do her job,” he said. “She will be furious if we don’t follow protocol and listen.”

“What will they do to her?” Horrified, Reid’s mind started working overtime. Would they take Gytha as a prisoner? Would they torture her to get information about the royal family’s whereabouts? Would they kill her?

“When I shut this door, it closed the trap door. She should only have to deal with the soldiers stupid enough to chase her. Once she disposes of them, she’ll have to figure a way out.”

“Is there a way out?” Ackley asked, his voice barely audible.

“This palace has been here for centuries. It was built for situations such as this one. Stop worrying about Captain Gytha. Let’s get moving.” Dexter hurried over to one of the walls, feeling around with his free hand. He pushed on a brick, and a door swung open as he did so. “There’s a network of underground tunnels designed for this very thing.” He led the way down a dark tunnel. “I just never thought I’d actually have to use them.”

They traversed through tunnel after tunnel until Reid feared they’d lost their way. However, Dexter never hesitated as he led them with a torch in hand. After at least a mile of twists and turns, they ascended a wooden staircase and exited into a windowless room.

“Where are we?” Gordon asked.

“The military compound.” Dexter doused the torch.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Reid froze, unable to move. She couldn’t even see her own hand in front of her face. A moment later, a door creaked open and Dexter ushered them into a brightly lit hallway. They ran through corridor after corridor until they came to one of the interior courtyards. Dexter barked out a series of orders, and soldiers scrambled to comply.

“What are we doing?” Reid asked. Everything had happened so quickly she hadn’t had time to sort through what was going on.

“We’re going to a safe location to plan,” Dexter replied. “Then we’ll retake the palace and kill King Eldon.” He said it so simply—as if they weren’t facing several seemingly impossible tasks.

Horses were brought forward, along with handfuls of clothes. Dexter ordered everyone to change. Reid removed her wedding dress, then put on a plain brown tunic and pants. Someone handed her a hat to cover her hair. When she finished, she realized everyone else had dressed similarly.

“Let’s go,” Dexter said as he mounted.