She studied the warrior woman’s reflection in the window. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“You will never hear or see me coming. I’m too well-trained to make any noise.”

While Reid felt vulnerable with her back to Gytha—especially with that potentially threatening statement hanging in the air—she refused to turn around and face her right now.

“I’m sorry about your head,” Gytha said, surprising Reid. “I may have gotten a little carried away.”

“A little?”

Gytha grinned. “Okay, a lot. I allowed my emotions to take control. It won’t happen again.”

“Thank you for apologizing.” It meant a lot coming from someone like Gytha. Reid didn’t think it was something the woman did often—if ever. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face her.

“I still love Dexter,” Gytha admitted. “I didn’t want him to end our relationship. I thought he could marry you in name only while still being with me. I don’t care about titles or money. All I want is him.”

Reid wasn’t sure how to respond. However, she was thankful Dexter had ended his relationship with Gytha. He very well could have married Reid and taken Gytha as his mistress. And Reid wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it.

“Listening to you tonight, I realized something.” Gytha folded her arms. “You do not match me physically. I am stronger and better than you in any sort of combat situation.” She stepped closer.

With the window at her back, Reid had nowhere to go.

“But you best me in other ways I can’t possibly compete with. In ways that may be more important than physicality.” She shook her head. “Dexter loves Axian, and he will do what’s best for his county. I thought his marriage to you would be the end of Axian. But now, I realize it may be the best thing for it. Though it kills me to say it, you are not the idiot I thought you were.”

That was a lot to take in. Reid now understood Nara’s stance on Reid wearing dresses and embracing her feminism. There was no way Reid could compete with Gytha when it came to fighting, especially one on one. If she tried, she would fail. And that wasn’t what Axian needed. They needed someone who could stand at Dexter’s side—who could lead the people with him. They needed someone who was politically savvy. While Reid had never thought herself well versed in politics, she now realized how much her father had taught her by always having her present during contract negotiations, labor disputes, and criminal trials.