Page 20 of The Royal Throne
Hope bloomed in her chest since this meant they were allies on some level. He’d already proven he could keep a secret and was beginning to earn her trust. “Can I ask you something?”
He lifted the journal. “After giving me this, you can ask me anything.”
“Did Rainer give the order to kill the entire Avoni delegation?” For some reason, she’d feel better knowing it came from one of the captains instead.
His face darkened. “Yes. I didn’t know about it until after I returned from meeting with you in Nisk. It was a top secret mission that Rainer planned and executed with a handful of men. Not even the commander knew ahead of time.”
Back in Avoni, Queen Serilda mentioned to Sabine that Rainer might have assumed Sabine was on that ship as well. It had been bothering her ever since. “Did Rainer think I was on it? Did he try to kill me?” At first, she’d assumed he wouldn’t dare do something so bold. After all, he needed her alive in order to have an heir in time to keep his throne. But lately, she’d been reconsidering.
“Honestly, I don’t know.”
“How do we enforce the rules?” she asked, wondering if she had the authority to arrest Rainer. And if she did, would she be able to maintain control over Lynk and the military? “I want to stop him before he hurts more people.”
Anton sighed. “It won’t be easy to stop him, but it’s possible. Messy, but possible.”
That was what she’d assumed. In order to stop Rainer, she’d have to destroy him. The problem was if she took him down, she’d take down Axel, Anton, and Lottie with him. She might very well be willing to sacrifice herself for others, but she didn’t know if Anton was, and she didn’t think she had the right to ask that of him.
Sabine stood on her balcony overlooking the lush valley below. It had been an hour since Markis was supposed to be there to meet with her to go over what he’d learned from his investigation. It had been an hour of worrying and wondering where he was. Hopefully, he hadn’t gotten himself into trouble. Unable to wait any longer, Sabine pushed off the railing and exited her room, heading to Duchess Marin’s suite. The duchess was hosting a small gathering for only a few noble women to congratulate Sabine on her marriage and coronation.
As she made her way through the palace, she noticed only four of her regular six guards trailing her. She wanted to ask where the other two and Markis were. However, she didn’t want to draw attention to the fact that she had fewer guards, and there must be some problem they were dealing with.
The duchess had a designated wing in the palace with several rooms, all westerly facing. The large sitting room opened to an expansive balcony. Tall vases filled with flowers of all kinds were spread throughout the room. Several tables with platters of food had been set up for today. Servants walked around handing out drinks.
A single sentry stood guard at the door. When he announced the queen, the approximately fifty people present bowed and curtseyed. Sabine greeted everyone and thanked them for coming to the gathering. Duchess Marin came forward, giving a heartfelt toast, and conversations resumed.
“Has there been any word on where our king is?” the duchess asked as she looped her arm through Sabine’s, leading her out onto the balcony where there were less people.
“No,” Sabine said. “It’s rather sad that he just left without informing me or anyone else what he was doing.” Sabine took a goblet from a servant and pretended to drink.
Lady Karmen came over, joining them. “Still no word on the king?”
Sabine shook her head. “I’m worried about my life and safety here in the palace.” She leaned forward, taking these women into her confidence. “Princess Lottie hired the assassin who killed Princess Alina. I overheard her ordering the assassin to kill me. The king knows yet he’s only sequestered his sister to her rooms. I don’t know if he plans to do anything else.”
Both women shook their heads.
“You’d think he’d want to seek justice for his new bride,” Marin said.
“Maybe that’s what he’s off doing,” Karmen suggested. “He could be hunting down the assassin to make sure our queen is safe.”
That couldn’t be the case since Evander had already taken care of the assassin. However, she guessed Lottie could have hired another one. Although, if anything happened to Sabine, everyone would know Lottie was behind it. The princess couldn’t afford for something like that to happen right now.
Commotion came from the sitting room, and Markis emerged onto the balcony a moment later. “Forgive me, Your Majesty,” he said. “I need a moment of your time.”
“Of course.” She led him over to the side of the balcony where no one would overhear their conversation. “What’s going on?”
“King Rainer is returning tonight.”
She’d thought she’d have more time.
“Prince Otto is loading as many of the youngest Bakley children as he can fit onto his ship as we speak. The rest will travel with me by foot. We are going to leave as soon as possible.”
“Will you be able to leave in time?” She feared for what would happen if Rainer returned and caught them.
“Yes, thanks to Commander Felix. He made sure all the necessary supplies were boarded earlier today.”
“Excellent.” Though she wasn’t ready to part from Otto and Markis. It would mean that she was truly alone. The thought of not having Markis at her side unsettled her. However, he would be safer in Bakley, and she was certain his family missed him. His place was there, not here.
“I’ve spoken with your guards and told them I’m leaving. Captain Drew will be taking over for me. I’ve already gone over as much as I can with him, and I believe he wants to keep you safe and will do what’s in your best interest.”
