Page 17 of The Queen's Crown
“You can do this,” Karl said as he moved to hug her. “You know what needs to be done and what’s at stake.”
She squeezed Karl. “Subtlety has never been your strong suit,” she whispered as she released him. “But I get it. I won’t screw up. I promise.”
“How about you just stay alive,” Rolf said as he kissed Sabine’s cheek. “You have the dagger I gave you?”
She nodded.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married before me,” Otto teased her. “I honestly thought you’d never marry. I thought you’d be a spinster doting on your nieces and nephews.”
She would have liked to have seen her brothers’ children grow up. After hugging Otto, she moved to stand before Viktor.
“Just remember, don’t get distracted by all of the men—I mean court finery,” Viktor said with a chuckle.
Sabine hit his arm. He loved to irritate her. Somehow, she’d miss his banter. “If something happens to me, remember those were your last words.”
He kissed her cheek. “I’ll miss you.”
“My turn,” the queen said.
Sabine hugged her mother tightly. “I love you.”
“And I love you. Please be careful. Your life is more important than finding the murderer.”
“I’ll be careful. I promise.” She let go and then climbed into the carriage. When the door closed, she waved goodbye to her family.
The driver expertly guided the carriage out of the courtyard and down the road, leading away from the castle. At the gatehouse, eight mounted soldiers surrounded the carriage. These men were tasked with keeping her safe during the long trip north to Lynk.
Her hands began to shake as terror squeezed her heart, making her want to vomit. What had she done? She was neither ready to marry nor was she the most qualified person to be searching for a trained killer. Sweat broke out over her forehead. This entire plan was stupid. Balling her hands into fists, she took a deep breath and remembered that her kingdom needed protection. Marrying King Rainer would guarantee it. She had to keep that in mind. Otherwise, her sister had died for nothing.
One of the soldiers knocked on her window. “Your Highness, I’m Lieutenant Markis Belle,” he said, loud enough for her to hear through the glass. “If you need anything, please let me know.”
She nodded.
“Please pull the curtains closed as we travel. We don’t plan on stopping until it’s dark. There’s food under your bench seat.”
She did as he said, upset she wouldn’t be able to see the countryside.
Sabine remained this way—traveling in the carriage with the curtains closed—for two weeks. The only time she was permitted to leave the carriage was once in the morning and evening to relieve herself. Otherwise, she slept, ate, and rode inside with no one to talk to and nothing to see.
She’d been told they’d reach Lynk tomorrow. With her boots off, she curled up on the bench seat, reading her book, trying to pass the time.
The carriage abruptly halted, and Sabine almost toppled off the seat. She peered around the curtain to see what was going on. It was only midday—not time to stop for the night yet. The soldiers accompanying her remained on horseback, moving so they faced away from the carriage. Each man withdrew his sword.
Shouts rang out as men rushed toward them. Fear shot through Sabine, and she quickly backed away from the window. A thud sounded to her right and she looked that way, spotting an axe sticking into the side of her carriage, level with her head. Her heart pounded and she immediately rolled onto the floor, flattening herself against it. She could not believe they were under attack.
“Do not pursue them,” Markis shouted. “Hold your position.”
Steel clanked and men grunted as fighting took place outside the carriage, mere feet from Sabine. With sweaty hands, she reached into her bag, fumbling around until her fingers came across the hilt of her dagger. Pulling the weapon out, she clutched onto it, ready to do her part if someone came at her.
If whoever was attacking managed to kill her soldiers or get past them, they’d come for her. And there she was, lying on the floor of the carriage, unable to hold her dagger steady because she was shaking so badly. She had no idea how many people were out there, or how the fight was going. It would be horrible if she died before she even reached Lynk. She should never have taken her sister’s place.
The door by her feet opened. Sabine glanced that way and saw a large, beefy hand reach in, grabbing hold of her ankle. She squealed and started kicking the man’s arm with her other foot.
The owner of that arm stuck his bearded face in her carriage. “You the princess?” he asked, looking her over.
“Who are you?” she countered.
He yanked her toward him.
