Reid peeled her eyelids open, moaning at the bright light shining in through the bedroom window. Rolling onto her side, away from the window, she cradled her pounding head. The ale they’d consumed last night must have been particularly strong. When she shoved the covers off, she realized she still wore yesterday’s clothes.

Brain feeling muddled, she slid her feet over the edge and stepped on something hard, yet warm.

Cursing, she jumped back on the bed, peering down.

Dexter lay face down on the floor, without a pillow or blanket, unmoving.

“Dexter,” she whispered, trying to rouse him. Nothing. She reached down, shaking his shoulder. “Wake up.”

Turning his head to the side, he mumbled incoherently.

“You need to get out of my bedchamber before someone sees you.”

His eyes flew open. “Why am I in here?”

“I have no idea. Just get out.”

He rolled onto his back, and Reid’s eyes widened. There were welts on his face from where she’d struck him with the coins.

“What is it?” he asked, blinking against the morning light.

Cringing, she bit her lip. “Nothing.”

“You’re a terrible liar.” He sat up and rubbed his eyes. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to head out after breakfast.”

“I’m fine with that.” There would be plenty of time for Reid to get to know her grandparents after the wedding.

“I need to inform my men of our plans. There’s only four, so we’ll have to be vigilant on our way back.” He stood and stretched before leaving the room.

Since Reid was in Brianna’s room, she slid out of bed and went over to the closet. Wanting something of her mother’s, she picked two daggers at random, tucking them into her pants. When she went to close the door, something caught her attention. A leather armored vest hung from a peg on the wall. Before she could change her mind, she snatched it off.

It was hard and thick, entirely too big to fit in Reid’s traveling bag. The only other option was to wear it. She slid her arms in the holes, hoisting the vest on, then cinching it together. It fit like a glove. Examining herself in the mirror, Reid couldn’t help but think she looked like Nara.

Not wanting Dexter or anyone else to question why she had on armor, she pulled her tunic over it. After grabbing her bag, she headed downstairs. She found her grandparents eating breakfast in the dining room.

“I see you have your bag with you,” Gregor said. “Does that mean you’re leaving?”

Taking a seat across from her grandmother, Reid answered, “I am. Prince Dexter and I must return to the palace. There is much to be done to prepare for the wedding.”

“We will make every effort to be there,” Constance assured her.