Reid awoke on the sofa, still wearing her dress. How long had she been asleep? When she sat up, she realized she wasn’t alone. Prince Henrick stood with his back to her, gazing out the window. The sky was a dull gray, the sun just starting to rise. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep here.”

Henrick turned to her. “It’s fine.”

Standing, she stretched before heading to the door.

“Lady Reid.”

“Yes?”

With his right hand, he absently touched his left wrist where his Knight mark was hidden below his sleeve. “You’ve been summoned,” he murmured. “A Knight is waiting in the stables to take you to our headquarters. There, you will meet the person in charge and spend a few days training.”

Shock rolled through Reid. Headquarters? She hadn’t known such a place existed. “Am I permitted to go?” Would there be enough time to make it there and back before the wedding?

“It’s only two days on horseback from here. All you have to do is change and head to the stables.”

“Aren’t people going to wonder where I am?” And by people, she meant Dexter. He would notice her absence, and probably assume she was up to something nefarious.

“I will inform everyone you left with your second cousin to visit your grandparents for a few days. No one will suspect a thing.”

Her grandparents. As excited as she was to go to the Knights’ headquarters, she also wanted to meet her family. “Can I visit them as well?” Would there be enough time to do both?

“You can. However, it will have to be at a later date. Duty calls, so I suggest you get moving.”

Reid rushed from the room. After putting on a pair of pants and a traveling shirt, she quickly packed a few essentials. Hoisting her bag on her shoulder, she exited her room. On the first floor, she tried to remember how to get to the stables. Not having any time to waste, she checked the library and saw light coming from the back rooms. After rushing to Colbert’s office, she found him reading a book at his desk.

Finn jumped to his feet, throwing himself at Reid’s legs and licking her hand.

“Don’t you ever sleep?” she asked Colbert.

He glanced up from his book. “Occasionally.” He smiled. “Where are you off to at this early hour?”

“The stables. Can you tell me where they are?”

He quickly gave her directions. “Are you going for a ride?”

“My second cousin is taking me to meet my grandparents.”

“Right now?” He closed his book, setting it aside.

“He’s already at the stables waiting for me.” After giving Finn a kiss on his head, she exited the office.

“Reid,” Colbert called after her.

“I’ll see you when I get back!” She jogged to the stables.