Page 73 of The Queen's Crown
She shook her head and sighed. A low rumbling noise echoed through the room and then it began shaking. It felt as if they were moving. “What’s happening?”
“This is a box on pulleys.”
“Pulleys?” she said, stunned. “As in ropes are lifting this room?”
“Yes.”
Which meant she wouldn’t have to climb any more stairs, but her life hung on a couple of ropes that she sincerely hoped were strong enough to withstand the weight.
“Just try not to move too much,” Rainer said. “It’s hard to turn the lever at the top if the weight shifts or is unbalanced.”
“Someone is up there?” She thought they were going to be alone on the island.
“I have three trusted servants that live here full time. When I decided we were coming, my steward raised a yellow flag. The staff here knows that when it’s raised, I’m on my way.”
The small room abruptly came to a halt. The door opened and Sabine stepped out and onto the top of the island, gawking at the amazing sight before her. Straight ahead was the mainland she’d been on. She squinted, trying to see the palace, but it was too far away. The wind whipped around her body, tossing her hair about. She breathed in the salty air, loving the freshness of it.
“Come inside,” Rainer said.
She was standing on a breezeway that connected the box she’d just been in to the castle. “It looks as if the place was birthed from the island itself.”
“It sort of was,” he replied. “The island is so hard and rocky, most of the exterior was carved right from it.”
They had to be forty feet above the ocean. She followed Rainer, Harta right behind her.
Inside the castle, chilly air engulfed her along with dim lighting. This place didn’t have the open airy archways that the palace did. While there were several windows along the left wall, they were all closed. The ceiling and walls were made from stone, and the floor was dark wood. “It’s vastly different from the palace.” And it seemed much older.
“I don’t ever entertain here,” he said as he strode across the room. Large sofas and low tables were situated on an area rug. An empty hearth was to the right. “Lance,” Rainer called out. “We’re inside.”
A shuffling noise came from a nearby room, and then an elderly man entered. “Your Majesty,” the man smiled as he bowed. “It’s good to see you. I finished setting up your bedchamber and was just about to light the fire in here.”
“It’s good to see you as well,” Rainer said. “Where’s Mika?”
“Mika is closing off the lift. He’ll remain there, guarding the entrance.” The elderly man peered over at Sabine, his brows raising.
“Lance, this is my fiancée, Princess Sabine Ludwig.”
“My future queen.” Lance bowed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Lance runs this place for me,” Rainer explained. “He lives here along with his wife, Cassie, and their son, Mika.”
Lance reached forward, so Sabine removed her bag, handing it to him.
“I’ll have Cassie prepare you something to eat,” Lance said. “I’ll also make sure that the dog is taken care of. Will you be needing anything else?”
Rainer glanced at Sabine, eyeing her. “We may be needing a marriage binder.”
“Whatever for?” she asked.
Rainer rubbed his face. “I think I know who hired the assassin,” he said, suddenly looking anywhere but at her. “If we’re married and you’re queen, it changes things. To stop this person, we need to marry.”
“Now?” Shock filled her and her brain tried processing what he was saying.
“Unless you want to give the assassin another go?”
“No, I’d rather not.” She’d already agreed to marry him. It made no difference if it was today or three weeks from now.
