“Isn’t he on our side?” Weren’t they fighting for the same thing?

“There are no sides. He has his own agenda. It might be the same as ours, or it might be in direct opposition. I don’t know. What I need you to do is keep him on a leash, and report his movements to us.”

Reid didn’t miss the irony. She couldn’t continue being a Knight once she married because that wasn’t fair to her marriage. However, she could lie, spy, and report on her fiancé’s actions now since they weren’t wed yet.

Anna raised a single eyebrow, observing Reid. “You understand that if you fall in love, your loyalty to the Knights is compromised?”

A laugh escaped Reid’s lips. “You don’t need to worry about that.” She couldn’t imagine being in love with Dexter. Sure, she might admire his physique. And the way he wielded a sword. Even the curve of his lips when he bestowed one of his rare smiles. But love him? Absolutely not. Needing to change the subject, she asked, “What are the other Knights doing?”

“I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you. The less you know, the better.”

Reid nodded, although she wasn’t sure she liked the position she was in. She didn’t want to blindly follow and trust. She may be going along with them for now, but that didn’t mean she had to do what they said. She would do what she felt was right and what benefitted Ellington and Axian.

“Which brings me to why I brought you here.”

Reid waved her hand, signaling for Anna to continue.

“I need to make sure you understand what’s at stake.”

“I do.” War, death, destruction.

“I don’t think you fully do.” Anna came around the side of the table, perching on the edge of it beside Reid. “The speech you gave during your engagement party was out of line.”

Shock rolled through Reid. One, how did Anna know about it since it just happened? And two, Reid thought her speech was what the people needed to hear to rally behind the engagement.

“You shouldn’t give the people false hope,” Anna said. “You can’t make promises or expectations you can’t deliver on.”

“I disagree.” How dare this woman tell Reid what she could or could not do? “You said that once I’m wed, I am no longer a Knight. That means I’m Duke Ellington’s heir and a princess of Marsden. I will have the power to incite change. And I plan to use my position to do so.” She stood so she was at eye level with Anna. “You can’t marry me off for your convenience, then expect me to idly sit around for the rest of my life. I’ll be in a unique position, and I plan to make the most of it.”