Page 38 of The King's Sword
Blinking, she thought through all he’d said. The idea of being under a boat, in the water, when it was dark out and she wouldn’t be able to see anything, scared her. She really hoped he didn’t have to flip the boat. But seriously, why had he tucked her hair behind her ear like that? Perhaps it was a nervous gesture on his part. Regardless, he didn’t need to touch her so intimately.
“We’re coming up on the rope. Get ready.”
“For what?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Something.”
She looked up and saw the boat pass under the rope. If either of them had been sitting, they would have been knocked off.
Something thudded against the side of the boat.
Evander cursed and sprang to his feet, searching the water for threats.
Sabine sat up, peering over the side and not seeing anything.
She heard a slight whoosh, and then the boat shook. She swiveled around and saw a man had jumped into their boat, landing on the rear bench seat.
Evander lunged forward, tackling him over the side and into the water with a splash. The two men grappled as the boat continued floating along the canal, leaving the men behind.
Having no idea how to make the boat stop, Sabine grabbed the long pole attached to the side and shoved it in the water, trying to get it to do something. When nothing happened, she reached for the steering handle at the back of the boat. Turning it, she managed to angle the boat toward the shoreline. Once the front of the boat struck land, she stuck the pole in the water until it hit the bottom. She held it there, trying to keep the boat in place.
While she hadn’t gone that far, she no longer saw the men fighting. She scanned the canal, searching for Evander, and not seeing him anywhere.
Terror sliced through her like lightning through a tree trunk. If the assassin had killed Evander, she’d be at a serious disadvantage. Not only would she have to face the assassin alone, but Avoni was a strange kingdom with odd customs. And Evander…the mere thought of him being injured made her feel ill. Staring at the dark water, she didn’t understand why it became hard to breathe or why her vision blurred.
Sabine gripped the side of the boat. If Evander died trying to protect her, she’d never forgive herself. He didn’t deserve to die on her account.
The crickets began chirping again as if everything were fine. As if a fight hadn’t happened only moments ago.
Something appeared in the water several feet away, heading toward Sabine. Clutching onto the boat, she leaned out, trying to get a better look as a body lying face down drifted past. The person was too far away to tell if it was Evander or the assassin. Her stomach cramped with nausea.
She scanned the canal again, looking for the second person. Squinting, she spotted someone swimming directly toward her. Her heart thudded in her chest. “Evander?” she whispered, moving backward, away from the edge of the boat. She spotted the dagger Evander had given her on the bench but decided against it. She’d rather not let anyone get that close to her. Grabbing the pole, she used it to shove away from the shoreline. The boat immediately got caught in the current, putting space between her and the assassin.
“Sabine,” Evander called out. “It’s me.”
Relief filled her. She turned the lever again, steering back toward the shoreline where she used the pole to hold the boat in place.
Evander swam over and grabbed onto the side of the boat, hoisting himself out of the water and collapsing onto the floor, soaking wet, his chest rising and falling.
Sabine looked him over, trying to determine if he’d been hurt. “Are you injured?” she asked, not spotting any blood.
“Of course not.” He glanced at her. “You know it’s not safe for you in Avoni if you don’t know what you’re doing or where you’re going.”
“I know.” Tears filled her eyes. Evander was here, with her, unharmed. He was alive. It had been the assassin’s body she saw floating by. “I would never leave without you.” She hooked the pole back onto the side.
Evander sat up. “Really? Because you sort of left me back there which indicates otherwise.”
She didn’t know how he could joke at a time like this. “I didn’t know if it was you or not,” she said, trying to explain.
He wiped his face off with the edge of Sabine’s cloak. “Your lack of faith in me and my abilities is astounding.” He stood and grabbed the pole. “We need to get going.” He moved to the rear bench seat and shoved the boat away from the shore.
She got the impression that she’d upset him. Or disappointed him.
Now that they were back in the middle of the canal floating along with the current, Evander set the pole aside and reached into his bag, taking out a dry shirt. He pulled his wet one off, tossing it on the floor.
Sabine sat there staring like a teenager who’d never seen a man without a shirt on. Evander’s muscles were well defined, and there was something about his sleek elegance that made her want to run her hands over his chest. He was all lean muscle, not an ounce of fat on him. His shoulders had a slight dusting of freckles over them.
She turned on the seat, facing forward, away from him. Her ogling must be because of the attack they’d just experienced. It was irrational to be attracted to this man in the boat with her. He’d kidnapped her. She was married. He wasn’t her type. He killed people. Rubbing her hands over her face, she tried clearing her thoughts.
