Tears threatened. Reid blinked them away, not wanting to cry in front of Dexter. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he intimidated her. Shifting away from him, she focused on the stream. I will not cry, she ordered herself, blinking to clear her suddenly hazy vision. “Is there anything else? If not, I’d like for you to leave me alone.”

“Gladly.” He stomped away, mumbling as he went.

Reid knelt, taking in a deep, steadying breath. Her fingers twined in the grass. She held on, trying to calm herself. Everything felt wrong. It was like someone had tossed her from a boat, leaving her to thrash about in the water as she tried to figure out which way was up.

“Lady Reid,” Gytha called from the top of the rise. “Let’s go.”

“I’ll be right there.” Reid’s voice shook. She couldn’t believe she was on the verge of having a breakdown. Her sisters all had the occasional crying fit for no apparent reason, but not her. At least not until now. But she had a reason. Reasons. However, being raised as a boy had taught Reid not to show any emotions. After taking another deep breath, she stood.

“The commander can be a little intimidating,” Gytha said as Reid walked up the hill to join her. “It’s one of the traits I admire most about him.”

Was Gytha trying to console or discourage Reid?

“You’ll get used to it.” Gytha smirked. “Eventually.”

While Reid loved Axian and all it had to offer, she did not appreciate being sold off like a piece of property, and she refused to be treated as such. Purposefully stepping around Gytha without acknowledging her, Reid joined the others. “Well?” she asked the group before her. “Are we going to head out?” Her words came out sharper than she’d intended, her irritation seeping through her voice.

“First, we’ll eat,” a soldier answered. “Then we’ll travel into the city once it’s dark.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s what the commander wants,” another answered.

A fire already roared, and two soldiers began preparing a meal.

Reid shrugged, then plopped on the ground next to Markis. “Where are you stationed at? The City of Radella or somewhere else?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I’m just curious.” Seriously, why wouldn’t anyone give her a straight answer? Did they all assume she was a spy? “When I get to the palace, am I free to do as I wish?”

“Pardon?”

“Am I allowed to join the army? Can I have a job? Will I even be allowed to roam free?”

“I have no idea.” Markis scratched his head. “I guess so?”