“I agree,” Henrick said. “The Gast River served as a line. He remained in the north, wanting nothing to do with me. I think if he had stayed here, he would have ended up killing me. However, the guilt of what he did to our father ate away at him, so he left, knowing he couldn’t live with himself if he killed me, too. Not when we looked so much alike. It would have been like murdering himself.”

“Why do you think King Eldon is determined to invade Axian?” Reid inquired. “Why not follow in his father’s footsteps and remain in northern Marsden?”

Dexter, his eyes hard and fierce, answered. “Because Hudson wasn’t Eldon’s father—Henrick is. As long as Henrick is alive, Eldon is not the rightful king.”

“You believe Eldon intends to kill his own father?”

“I do.”

The room fell silent, no one contradicting him.

Finally, Henrick leaned forward and spoke. “I hope by joining the two of you in marriage, the king will leave Axian alone. If he doesn’t, he will face Axian and Ellington’s combined forces.” He pointed at Reid’s ring. “That’s why your father gave you that. Not only to make sure the king doesn’t hurt you, but also for you to have the power to call on the other dukes if necessary. Since I am a prince, I do not have that power.”

“Duke Axian didn’t produce a male child,” Nara explained. “So Henrick took up the duke’s duties. But he does not have the duke’s ring.”

Reid glanced down at the ring her father had given her. Henrick needed Reid to help prevent a war.

“I want to rally our people around this wedding,” Nara said. “I want them to see Reid as a beautiful woman from northern Marsden who is here to help us. People need to believe your marriage will strengthen our counties.”

And since Eldon had been the one to arrange it, he wouldn’t see the union as a threat.

Nara had finished eating, so she shoved her plate away and crossed her legs, her attention solely on Reid. “I need to know if you will stand by my son’s side. Your father sent you here for your own protection. However, I want my son protected as well. Where do you stand?”

Reid dared not glance at Dexter as she considered her answer. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, this was an advantageous match. Aligning Axian and Ellington was a smart plan, one she fully supported. Although she didn’t know Dexter that well, she didn’t think he’d sit idly by just to preserve peace as Henrick had.