Page 37 of The King's Sword
“She is not.” His attention went to the shoreline. “My ancestor is the young man she married.”
“I thought you said the royal family had Lakin’s entire line killed.”
He looked at her. “Everyone except his unknown twin brother who wasn’t home at the time. When he returned and discovered what had been done to his family, he swore revenge. He eventually got it. It took decades of planning. But he got what he wanted.”
Which must have been the throne. Sabine shivered.
Evander wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him.
“Avoni’s history is very…colorful,” she said.
“It’s complex. A delicate balancing act.”
Curious to know more about Evander and Avoni, she asked, “Besides being your family’s representative to the League, what are your responsibilities as a prince?”
He peered at her. “That is a complicated answer that I do not feel like discussing tonight.”
As the only male son, she wondered if he was involved with the army. But then she remembered Avoni didn’t have a standing army. Obviously there were sentries at the royal palace, but other than that, she couldn’t be sure what the kingdom and royal family had in place for protection.
Sabine eyed Evander, wondering if he had a lover. It was Lover’s Night, and he seemed a little off, almost wistful. He’d told her brother he would marry Lottie, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have someone at home that he loved. She had so many questions for this man beside her. However, now was not the time to ask them. Some of the answers she wasn’t ready to hear. Not tonight with the lightning bugs floating around them as they drifted along the canal, Evander’s arm on her shoulders.
Neither of them spoke as they passed town after town. The night wore on, and the boats gradually lessened. Since they’d slept during the day, Sabine didn’t think they’d stop tonight. Not tired, she remained at Evander’s side until the lightning bugs faded away, the boats around them docked, and they were the only two people on the canal. At some point, one of them reached over and took the other’s hand.
* * *
Hours passed, and Sabine and Evander continued to float along. With the thick cloud cover, no moon or stars shone above. Sabine tried to remain alert, watching for hidden threats. The buildings on either side of the waterway ended, replaced by a thick forest. The trees made it impossible to see what dangers could be lurking behind them. The only sounds were crickets and the occasional owl.
Sabine moved and sat across from Evander in order to keep an eye on one direction while he watched the other. At first, the darkness had been scary. However, after so many hours of it, it now offered a sort of comfort. Like a blanket.
Neither of them spoke as they continued to make their way south. Sabine focused on listening and watching, as Evander had taught her to do. The skin on the back of her neck tingled when she realized it had gone quiet. Too quiet. No crickets or any other creatures made any noise. The only sound was the occasional lap of water hitting the boat.
Sabine looked at Evander, about to say something when he pulled out a knife from his boot and handed it to her. She took the weapon, clutching onto it. He continued to scan the area around them as he slid another knife from his sleeve and a third from his back somewhere. With a weapon in each hand, he motioned for Sabine to get down.
Her heart pounding from fright, she slid from the bench and laid in the bottom of the boat, hoping she wasn’t visible from the shoreline.
The boat drifted along in silence.
She didn’t like the idea of Evander remaining upright and unprotected. If someone shot an arrow at him, he’d be hit. Thankfully, he joined her a moment later.
“I’m glad you finally saw reason and decided to get where it’s safe,” she whispered.
He wedged himself between her and the side of the boat. “There’s a rope across the canal up ahead. I’m hoping we pass right under it.”
A chill slid through her. “Is that rope always there?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
“No.”
“Do you think it’s the assassin?” she asked, wondering how he’d caught up with them already.
“Yes.”
“What’s the plan?” she asked, assuming the assassin had to be close by watching. When he saw an empty boat, he’d probably be able to figure out they were hiding in it. Her body began to shake from the thought of being attacked. Her hands were sweaty, so she wiped them off on her cape. At least she had the weapon. Holding it helped her feel as if she had something to protect herself with.
“Can you swim?” Evander whispered, reaching out to tuck a strand of her hair around her ear.
The simple gesture startled her. “Yes, but not well. Why?” Why had he done that? No one could see them, so they didn’t need to keep up the ruse of being a married couple right now.
“I may have to flip the boat. If you hold onto the side there,” he pointed to the rope handle nailed on the edge, “you can keep your head in the air pocket so you can breathe.”
