Well, there was the part about her being a Knight tasked with discovering where Dexter went at night. How was she supposed to gain this man’s trust when he was so distrustful? And did she have the right to go behind his back? After all, she would only be a Knight for a couple of more weeks, whereas she’d be married to Dexter for the rest of her life.

“So, Lady Reid,” he said, her name rolling off his tongue like water, “where did you go on your way to your grandparents’ house?”

She pursed her lips, trying to decide what to say. “Why do you think I went somewhere?”

“Because you should have arrived the day before me, not at the same time.”

Good point. “I’m not familiar with these roads. I’m not sure which way Victor took me.”

“Ah, yes. Victor.”

She cringed at the way he said the man’s name.

“Why would you leave the palace with a man you don’t even know?” he asked.

Well, she wouldn’t have. The only reason she’d gone with Victor was the confirmation of his Knight mark. Ackley had told her to trust any Knight she encountered. Instead of saying that, she replied, “Your father told me that my second cousin was in the stables, waiting to escort me to my grandparents’ house. I trust your father.” Because Henrick was a Knight.

“I plan to speak with my father about that.” Dexter looked sidelong at her. “Mark my words, Lady Reid, if you’re hiding something, I will discover what it is.”

Leaning toward him, she lowered her voice. “Mark my words, Prince Dexter, I’ll discover whatever it is you’re hiding.”

If she hadn’t been staring right at his face, watching for a reaction, she would have missed the slight twitch in his lips, a sure sign he was also hiding something. Straightening, she focused on the road, shocked she was finally getting somewhere with Dexter. He was starting to make sense to her, and she was no longer scared of him.

The group of six continued riding until the sun began to set. Then Dexter gave the order to pull off the road. They set up camp in a spot nestled between two huge oak trees.

Dexter approached Reid. “I’d like a moment of your time. In private.”

She followed him about thirty feet away from his men.

“We can’t keep secrets from one another,” he said. “We have an opportunity to work together to achieve something.”

“I agree.” Her father’s army was mighty. With the backing of Ellington and Axian, she could implement positive changes. But none of that would happen if she was constantly butting heads with Dexter. They had to start working together.

“Tell me what you’re hiding.”

“You tell me what you’re hiding,” she countered.