He had? Why couldn’t he keep Reid safe in Ellington? She twisted the ring around her finger—the one her father had bestowed to her. It allowed Reid the duke’s rights and protection as if she were Duke Ellington himself. If any harm came to her, Duke Ellington could call upon the other dukes of Marsden to right the wrong. It was one of the reasons the king hadn’t already killed or imprisoned her. Why did her father think she would be safer in Axian? “Why did your father agree to our match?”

“To avoid a war with King Eldon.”

“Yet, we both know we’re headed in that direction anyway.”

“He is a new king. My father thinks Eldon is testing our loyalty to him.”

“Are you?” She knew Axian didn’t follow all the laws of northern Marsden.

“We have functioned as our own kingdom for twenty-five years. Not once has the king demanded we pay taxes, provide soldiers, or even spoken to us. We have lived on our own and in peace.”

That didn’t answer her question. “Are you aware of Eldon’s lineage?”

Dexter’s eyes narrowed. “I am.” He took a step closer, towering over her.

Reid didn’t back away. “Are you aware your father wrote to all the dukes and said if any had a daughter of marriageable age, he’d marry you off to her to show he didn’t want to go to war? He also said he’d send you to live in that county as a show of good faith.” Suddenly, it became clear why the Knights wanted to know who Henrick’s heir was. If Dexter were the heir, Henrick would have never offered to send him to another county. But if he declared Eldon—his firstborn son—as his heir, then it made sense to offer Dexter.

“What is it?” the prince demanded.

“Nothing.” Reid worked to erase the shock from her face. If Henrick declared Eldon his heir, then a war between northern Marsden and Axian was pointless. Even if Henrick was the rightful king of Marsden, Eldon would eventually inherit the title and throne. Where did the Knights stand in this? The law stated a son couldn’t hold his father’s title until the father died. Which meant Eldon couldn’t inherit until Henrick passed. However, was it worth inciting a civil war when the outcome would be the same no matter who the victor was? Wouldn’t it be better to let Eldon remain on the throne? Reid’s head started to pound.

“It’s not nothing,” Dexter said. “You just figured something out, and you don’t want to tell me what it is.”

“How can you expect me to confide in you when you don’t even trust me?”

“Of course I don’t trust you. You broke into my home. Twice. And you work for the king.”

“I don’t work for the king.”