Reid’s grip tightened. She had to force herself to relax so she wouldn’t spook the horse. The animal had probably traveled this way dozens of times before. Reid had nothing to worry about. Her vision narrowed until the only thing that existed was the back of Victor’s head and his horse’s tail. Not once looking down the mountainside, she focused only on those images until they finally reached the bottom.

At the road, they headed south, pushing their horses hard.

“Where are we going?” Reid asked, wondering if they’d try to head Dexter off or return to the palace.

“Since we’re supposed to be at your grandparents’ house, we’ll go there now. We’ll just tell Prince Dexter we traveled at a leisurely pace.”

If she hadn’t been sitting on the horse, she probably would have fallen over. Jubilation at the prospect of meeting her grandparents filled her. Riding in silence, Reid tried to imagine what they would be like. Would she see her sisters in them? What about herself? She still couldn’t get over the fact her mother was from Axian.

After several hours, Victor slowed his horse. “The estate is right over there,” he said, pointing to the right.

As the tree-lined road curved, a square manor situated in a clearing appeared. “It’s beautiful.” A bright green lawn surrounded the estate.

At the front, they dismounted. Reid grabbed her bag before sprinting up the steps to the front door. She was about to knock when she heard hooves pounding behind her.

Chapter Twelve

Reid swiveled around. Dexter rode up the narrow pathway, accompanied by a handful of soldiers. When he reached the steps, he dismounted, then handed his horse over to one of his men.

“What are you doing here?” Reid asked, trying to seem shocked by his arrival. She descended the stairs to confront him, not wanting an argument right in front of her grandparents’ front door.

Instead of answering her question, he asked one of his own. “Are you only arriving now?” He eyed Victor suspiciously.

“We stopped along the way,” Victor explained. “I pointed out a few landmarks to Lady Reid.”

“Did you deviate from your course at all?” Dexter demanded.

Reid decided to let Victor handle this one.

“Yes. We left the road to find a safe place to sleep at night,” Victor answered. “Why all the questions? Is something the matter?”

“I’m just surprised you’re only arriving now, the same as me.”

“What are you doing here?” Reid asked again.

Dexter rolled his shoulders. If Reid didn’t know better, she’d swear he looked uncomfortable. “I came after you because I thought I should be here.”

“I don’t understand.”

Dexter scratched the side of his neck. “Lord Victor, show my men to the stables and get them situated.”

Taken aback, she blurted, “You know Lord Victor?”

“He’s your second cousin.”