Page 91 of The King's Sword
“And you two,” Otto said to the Bakley soldiers, “you’re with me.” The four of them headed upstairs.
Sabine went over and sat on the sofa.
Evander sat opposite her, crossing his legs and stretching his arms out along the back of the sofa. “You’re leaving tomorrow.” It was a statement and not a question.
“I am. Thank you for showing me your beautiful kingdom and keeping me alive. Is there anything I should relay to my husband, King Rainer, on your behalf?” She clasped her hands together, unable to believe she was leaving so soon. Unable to believe she had to behave so formally around Evander.
“You can tell him Avoni didn’t kidnap the kids.” He tilted his head back as he stared at the ceiling. “And I didn’t keep you alive for his benefit.”
“I will relay that.”
He eyed her. “And here I thought I was the one who’d be most transformed,” he mumbled so only she could hear.
His words sent a dagger straight to her heart. She didn’t know what he wanted or expected from her. He was the one who said they needed to play their respective parts, and she was doing what needed to be done.
“How are you handling this so well?” he whispered.
At that, she had to squeeze her hands together. She couldn’t even look him in the eyes. If she did, she’d tear up.
“You’re leaving tomorrow,” he whispered.
“We both knew this was coming.” And while she enjoyed being with Evander, she had a job to do and responsibilities. She had to put that first, above her own wants and desires. She finally looked at him.
His bright green eyes were intense with emotion. “You’re a much better person than me. I want to snatch you away for good.”
“Evander,” she chided him. They couldn’t afford for anyone to overhear them. They were on dangerous grounds.
He leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs. “You going back to him…the thought of him touching you…it makes me ill.”
His words mirrored how she felt when thinking of him and Lottie together.
“I don’t think I can do this.” He shook his head.
“Listen to me,” she hissed. “We don’t have any other options. You can, and you will, do this. Now pull it together. I have a plan.” Sabine was barely keeping it together. If Evander started to question her returning, if he wavered, she feared she would as well.
“I want to know what your plan is,” he said. “To see if it’s even feasible.”
She wanted to tell him, but she couldn’t. No one could know. “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you.”
He ran his hands through his hair. “Sabine. My family…we have a plan in place as well.”
He’d mentioned that before. There was something about his statement that concerned her. “How do I fit into your family’s plan?”
“You’re the wife of our enemy,” he said plainly. Matter-of-factly.
That had been what she expected. Avoni had a plan, and that plan might very well be the end of her.
“How much time do I have?” She understood they’d want retribution for the delegation members who’d been killed.
“Not much.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “My family will act if Rainer makes a move against us or any other kingdom. We won’t let it get out of control. And if we act against him, that means we act against you.”
She understood. “I assumed when he blew up the ship that was acting against your kingdom.” She was surprised they hadn’t done something already. But they did have a unit of men in Lynk. Perhaps they didn’t want to do anything until they knew what was going on with them first.
“It definitely got our attention. But since I technically kidnapped you, we’re even.”
“Ah.” Things were starting to make sense now. “My plan is going to work,” she said, trying to sound reassuring though she didn’t feel it.
“Even if it does, you’re still his wife.”
