Reid refused to ride to the City of Radella while sitting sideways on a horse. Besides it being uncomfortable, she feared she’d fall. And it was embarrassing being the only one in a garment that limited her movements. Not wanting to ask one of the female soldiers if she could borrow a spare uniform, she decided to alter her dresses. Luckily, she had two to work with.

When she exited her tent the next morning, everyone stared. Reid had on both dresses. It made her look silly, but she didn’t care. She’d ripped the bottom skirt up the center in both the front and back, allowing her legs to fit on either side of the saddle. Not wanting her bottom exposed, she’d torn the top skirt up the sides, then tied the fabric between her legs.

Ignoring the stares and whispers, Reid tried to walk normally as she joined everyone near the dying fire. She ate a quick breakfast of boiled oats, thankful to have something warm since the ground was damp from the thick morning fog. When she finished, she helped Gytha pack their bedrolls and tent. After, Markis brought over a saddled horse. He laced his hands together, offering her a leg up, and she stepped on them, hoisting herself onto the saddle. As she settled, she made a few adjustments to ensure she’d adequately covered her legs. Satisfied, she looked up, realizing everyone had already mounted and were waiting on her.

Pinching his lips together, Markis averted his gaze. Reid suspected he was on the verge of laughter. Gytha, on the other hand, had her eyebrows scrunched, as if trying to understand the rules of a game she’d never played before.

“Now that we’re finally ready,” Dexter said, “let’s get moving.” Nudging his horse into a trot, he led the way, Gytha at his side. Everyone else fell in line behind them.

Markis rode alongside Reid. “Nice getup,” he said with a smirk.

“Thank you.” Holding her head high, she refrained from commenting.

“You know,” he said, lowering his voice to a whisper, “you could go up there and ride next to the commander.”

“Why would I do that?” she asked, trying to decipher his motives.

He shrugged. “To make a statement.”

This was a small, intimate group of only a dozen people. Was it necessary to assert her position as Dexter’s fiancée? Did she have something to prove to these soldiers? To Gytha? Dexter? Maybe even to herself? “I’m not ready.” Reid needed to get her bearings first. Since the king had announced her engagement, she’d felt as if someone had tossed her in a lake, leaving her unable to determine which way was up. Until she felt righted, she would stand down.

Besides, forcing herself on Dexter wasn’t the best way to gain his trust. And, frankly, she didn’t want to spend time with a man who intimidated her.