Page 80 of The Queen's Crown
Since the path was so narrow, Sabine kept a hand on the rocky side to maintain her sense of balance. Thankfully it wasn’t as bad as she’d imagined, and they reached the top within a few minutes. Straight ahead, she spotted the palace perched atop the mountain. They just had to cross the valley to get there. Harta barked and ran ahead, apparently knowing where to go. The dog really was well trained.
The five of them traveled at a brisk pace and after fifteen minutes, reached the base of the mountain next to the palace. Instead of heading up as she thought they’d do, Rainer led them over to a grouping of trees where a wooden home was situated, Harta sitting at the front step.
Rainer knocked on the door.
Sabine didn’t see any lights or smoke, so she didn’t think anyone was home.
Rainer knocked again.
A minute later, a small, hunched over woman answered. “Your Majesty,” she said, her voice raspy. “The donkeys are in the back.” She bowed her head and closed the door.
Sabine had so many questions but knew now was not the time to voice any of them. At the back of the house, she didn’t see any donkeys or even a pen for them. Rainer went another twenty feet or so to where the jungle started. He ducked between two bushes and disappeared. A moment later he returned, leading two donkeys. He handed one to Sabine and he took the other.
“There are three more in there,” Rainer pointed behind him. “The two of us are going to set out.” He mounted the donkey and Sabine did the same. “There’s a fairly wide path,” he assured her. “It’s different from the one you took on your journey here. We’re taking that to the top. Let the donkey lead; it knows the way and has done this hundreds of times.”
Too terrified to argue, Sabine grabbed the animal’s harness and held on for dear life as the donkeys made their way to the base of the cliff.
Harta trotted behind them like a good doggie. Markis, Anton, and Herold joined them a few minutes later. The five of them gradually made their way up the side of the cliff, each on a donkey. Sabine assumed they were on the quickest route since they were trying to beat the Avoni delegation to the palace. As to which way the delegation would be going, she had no idea.
As Rainer told her it would be, the path they traveled on was fairly wide—at least ten feet. Regardless, the donkeys hugged the side closest to the cliff. This had to be the route people took when bringing supplies up the mountain since it was large enough to accommodate a wagon.
At the top, they left the donkeys in a pen near another wooden house. Then the five of them hurried through the town, taking side streets as they made their way to the palace. When they reached the end of the main road, a loud groan shuddered as both sides of the bridge lowered. They hurried across it, the wind starting to pick up.
Safely on the other side, a handful of soldiers surrounded the five of them as they made their way into the palace. Rainer started barking out orders, none of which Sabine paid any attention to.
“Princess,” Markis said, the word sounding clipped. “This way.”
Sabine followed him and two additional soldiers as they escorted her to her bedchamber, Harta diligently at her side. When she opened her door, she found Claire coming out of the closet holding an outfit.
“What happened to your hair?” Claire asked, her eyes wide.
Sabine reached up, feeling it sticking out in several different directions. “I suppose I should comb it out.” It had been quite windy when they rowed across the ocean.
“Dunk yourself in the bathtub. When you’re done, I’ll run some oil through your hair to detangle it.”
Sabine gladly peeled her clothes off and climbed into the warm bath. While under the water, she unbraided her hair. When she got out, she sat at her vanity table while Claire put the oil in her hair and easily combed through it.
“King Rainer wants you dressed and ready to greet the delegation as soon as possible,” Claire said, pointing to the bed. “Put that on.”
Sabine stood and slid the blue dress on, assuming she’d be matching Rainer. As far as outfits went, this was one of the prettier ones she’d worn in Lynk. The silky fabric attached around her neck and then hung straight down to the floor, flowing loosely around her. Claire came over and attached a braided belt, cinching it around her waist.
“My shoulders and arms feel oddly exposed,” Sabine said. “Should I wear a bracelet?”
“No,” Claire said. “I like the coloring of your skin against the dress. The contrast is beautiful. Jewelry will only take away from the elegance of it.”
“Very well. And my hair?”
“Let’s leave it down,” Claire said as she took a step back, examining Sabine. “It’s hot enough that it’ll dry quickly.”
Someone knocked on the door.
“The delegation must have arrived,” Claire said. “Your guards will escort you to the room you’ll receive them in. Good luck.”
“Thank you.” Sabine kissed the top of Harta’s head before leaving the room. Since no one was supposed to know she’d married the king, she wondered if she’d have to share his bed tonight. Their marriage wouldn’t be official until they consummated it, so Rainer would probably want to do so. Other than the guard at the door leading to the royal suite, the only other person she’d ever seen in there was Gunther—and even he had to sleep at night. If they dismissed Gunther and the guard, then no one would know. However, that could be a problem in and of itself as someone needed to verify the deed was done. Sabine decided she’d worry about it later. Right now, she needed to focus on the delegation and ensuring she and Rainer received approval to marry.
After her guards formed a tight circle around her, they led the way to a small room downstairs that she’d never been in before. Rainer and his three siblings stood inside, waiting for her.
Rainer instructed her guards to wait outside.
