He slung it over his shoulder, and they returned to the group. Food was distributed, so Reid took a bowl and sat near the fire, sipping her soup. Glancing up, she noticed Markis was no longer there. He’d been beside her only a moment ago. After a minute, she found him. He stood off to the side, speaking quietly with Gytha. They kept glancing in Reid’s direction, so she assumed they were talking about her. Gytha was probably scolding Markis for teaching Reid how to shoot. After all, Reid was a spy.

Markis nodded, then went over and claimed his bowl of soup. Without looking in Reid’s direction, he sat across from her, on the other side of the fire. Since no one else had befriended her, she had no one to talk to as she ate. Sadness crept its way into Reid. Instead of dwelling on her loneliness, she tried to focus on the positive. They’d almost reached the palace. Maybe, just maybe, she could get to know Nara better. That prospect immediately lightened her somber mood.

Once the sky turned dark, Dexter gave the order to pack up. Reid mounted her horse, making sure to tuck the material of her dresses around her skin. A few spots on her legs had been chafed raw. While it hurt, there wasn’t much she could do about it. At least she’d be at the palace in a few hours. Hopefully, she’d have the opportunity to bathe then.

They set out in their usual formation. However, instead of Markis riding alongside Reid as he had the entire journey, a female soldier took his place. Markis now rode at the back. It was obvious they’d been purposefully separated, and that infuriated her. Was she not allowed to have a single friend in Axian?

When they finally reached the city, Reid estimated it was well past midnight. Most buildings were dark, and no one was out and about. The only sound was the clicking of the horses’ hooves. Dexter had them swing around and approach the palace from the west since the stables were located there. When they entered the building, the sweet smell of hay reminded Reid of home. She dismounted, then untied her bag from the horse. A stable hand rushed over, taking the reins from her before leading the horse into an empty stall.

She caught a glimpse of Markis unpacking his supplies from his saddlebag, seeming to purposefully avoid looking her way.

“Lady Reid?” a young woman asked.

“Yes?”

“My name is Joce. I’ll be your lady’s maid.”

Reid blinked. She’d never had a personal servant before. She was accustomed to taking care of herself. Maybe the royal family wanted to have someone in Reid’s room to watch her. A spy for the spy. If she weren’t so exhausted, she might have laughed.

“This way,” Joce said.