Page 16 of The King's Sword
The gravity of his words sunk into her mind like boulders being hurled into a lake, plummeting to the bottom. She started pacing, needing to move so she didn’t vomit. She couldn’t return to the palace knowing all these things about Rainer. “I want some more time. I’m not ready to go back yet.” She needed a few days to gather her thoughts and come up with a plan.
“When you disappeared, I assumed you’d left with Evander. No one else could have gotten you not only out of the palace, but out of the kingdom. I told Rainer you confided in me. You said you were homesick. I recommended you discuss the matter with him and said perhaps one of the women from the Avoni delegation could escort you to see your brother who was visiting nearby in Nisk.”
A bold lie. “And what did Rainer say?” she asked, chewing on her thumbnail—a terrible habit she tended to do when nervous.
“He assumed you’d gone through with your plan without discussing it with him. However, he was furious you managed to leave the palace without your guards—a feat he can’t figure out how you accomplished. And…he was hurt you didn’t talk to him about it. Axel laughed and said you had no reason to confide in him. That only upset Rainer all the more.”
“How long have I been gone?”
“Five days.”
Longer than she’d expected.
“When Rainer finally calmed down, he bid me to go after you. I’m bringing you home. I told him it would take me roughly a fortnight.”
Which was why Rainer had given a fortnight as the deadline for her return. She eyed Anton, wondering if he was being truthful with her. If he could so easily lie to his brother, what was to prevent him from lying to her?
Grabbing her braid, she pulled it over her shoulder, removed the tie, and started undoing it. “I can’t go back to the palace with Lottie there.” Rainer knew his sister was responsible for killing Alina. However, instead of telling Sabine, he’d kept it a secret. He’d chosen to hasten their marriage, assuming that would protect her. She glanced at the ring on her finger. It felt like flimsy protection to her.
“You don’t need to worry about Lottie,” Anton assured her. “If she’s after the crown, Rainer will stop her.”
Evander opened the door and came outside, jogging down the steps and joining them. “I hate to break up this family reunion, but I’d like to remind you that Lottie hired an assassin to kill you. I’m guessing if Anton came looking for you, the assassin is probably following Anton to get to you. It’s not safe for you to be exposed like this.” He nodded his head to the surrounding land.
Sabine scanned the horizon, not seeing much under the dark night sky. She shivered.
“There could be someone hiding in the nearby forest,” Evander said. “He could have an arrow trained on you right now.”
Sabine shoved past him and ran into the house, moving away from the window. How was she supposed to live knowing someone was hunting her?
Anton and Evander came inside the house, closing and locking the door.
Otto, Seth, and Thad were sitting on the sofa near the fire.
“I must return home tomorrow,” Seth said. “Sabine, does the League officially have your word as the queen of Lynk that you will do what you can to prevent our kingdoms from being invaded?”
She nodded. “I don’t want to see my family involved in a war.”
“And which family is that?” Seth asked. “Your husband?”
She understood what he was saying. Her Bakley family was no longer her family now that she’d married Rainer. “I will do what I have to in order to maintain peace.”
“That’s all we can hope for at this point,” Seth said as he stood. “I’m turning in for the night since I’m leaving at first light. It was nice to meet you, Sabine.” He bowed his head then went upstairs.
She sat on the sofa Seth had vacated.
“Thank you for your support and reassurance.” Thad stood. “I am going to bed as well. I hope all you say is true.” He left the room.
“Are you leaving tomorrow?” Sabine asked her brother.
He nodded. “There’s nothing left here for us to discuss. If anything, I need to get home to let Mother and Father know you’re well and to warn them of the state of things.”
She reached out and took his hand. “Let our parents know all that has transpired—all of it.” She looked pointedly at him, knowing he’d understand what she wasn’t saying out loud. She didn’t want anyone else to know her marriage hadn’t been consummated. “Tell them I love them, and I’ll find a way to fix this mess.”
He stood and kissed her forehead. “I’m not sure you can. Just try and be safe.” He left the room.
“We’ll leave tomorrow after breakfast,” Anton said to Sabine. “I’m going to retire for the night.” He turned and headed toward the staircase.
“I’m not going with you.” Sabine clasped her hands together, not looking Anton’s way.
