Page 6 of The King's Sword
For some reason, even though Evander’s clothes were soaking wet and his hair had fallen across his forehead, he managed to look more rugged and manly while Sabine appeared to be a pathetic pig who couldn’t stay on her feet.
Huffing dramatically, she stormed past him, walking the rest of the way to the house. She climbed the steps of the porch and was about to knock when the door flew open, revealing her brother, Otto.
“What happened to you?” Otto said, looking her up and down.
She wanted to throw her arms around him, hugging him, but refrained from doing so. There was no reason for the both of them to be covered in mud.
Before she could answer, Evander joined her. “Turn,” he said, pointing behind her, cutting her reunion with Otto short.
Sabine did as he said, trying to figure out why he wanted her to look that way on the porch when she heard him stripping out of his clothes behind her. Being sure to keep her back to him, she started to shake from being drenched.
“Okay,” Otto said.
She turned back around and Evander was nowhere to be seen, but his boots and clothes were strewn on the porch. Not wanting to get water in the house, she bent over and removed her muddy boots as well. There wasn’t anything she could do about her clothes though—she wasn’t going to run through the house naked.
“Come inside,” Otto said. “We have a lot to discuss.”
Sabine stepped into a sitting room. “Who’s house is this?” she asked, closing the door behind her. A fire roared in the hearth, warming the room.
“It belongs to the League.”
Several things clicked into place. “Are you Bakley’s representative?”
He nodded. “Go and get cleaned up, then we’ll talk.”
“Is there a room I can use?”
“Upstairs, last door on the left.”
Sabine looked at Otto. It had been weeks since she’d seen him. His hair was a little longer and his cheeks were sunken in a bit more. She reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing it. “It’s good to see you.” She turned and headed upstairs, her wet socks leaving marks as she went.
She entered the room Otto had indicated and closed the door. A slew of emotions overwhelmed her. She wasn’t in a dungeon, she was safe, and she was with her brother.
ChapterTwo
After washing up, Sabine found a pair of pants and a shirt in the armoire. Both items were large but clean. She quickly dressed then went downstairs, eager to spend some time with her brother. She found him alone in the sitting room, resting on the sofa, Evander nowhere in sight.
“I put a few more logs in the fire for you,” Otto said by way of greeting. “Sit on the chair closest to the hearth so your hair can dry and you can warm up.”
“First, I need a proper hug.” Now that she wasn’t covered in mud.
Otto smiled and stood, wrapping his arms around his sister and squeezing. “It’s good to see you. We weren’t sure you were even alive.” He held her at arm’s length, looking into her eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. You know, other than Evander kidnapping and scaring me half to death.” She sat on the chair, curling her legs up under her.
“Kidnapping you?” Otto said, his voice slightly higher-pitched than normal.
She shrugged. “He gave me giplig, put me on a ship, brought me here.”
Otto’s face reddened. “Excuse me.” He turned and sprinted up the stairs.
Sabine sat there, wondering what he was doing when she heard a door bang open, followed by angry shouting, then another bang. Otto ran down the steps now looking flushed.
“What was that?” she asked. She’d seen her brothers argue and fight enough to know Otto was furious. “I thought you asked Evander to bring me here?”
“I did.” He flopped on the sofa. “But not like that.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “He was supposed to tell you what was going on, not steal you away.”
“I wouldn’t have gone with him,” she admitted while rolling her sleeves up. She would have remained in Lynk with her husband.
