Page 21 of The Royal Throne
“Thank you for everything.” The words didn’t seem adequate, since he had been with her from the start and had done so much to help her. She wanted to tell him not to go, that she trusted no one else but him. But she couldn’t. He needed to go home.
“It has been an honor serving you.” He bowed then left.
Sabine stood there, watching his retreating back until he disappeared from view. It felt as if she’d just fallen into a lake and didn’t know which way was up.
“Is everything all right, Your Majesty?” Lady Regina said as she came to stand beside her.
“Yes.” She forced a smile on her face, trying to keep her breathing slow and steady. “How’s your husband, Commander Felix, doing?”
“He’s doing well but wishes to retire,” she said sardonically. “He wants to spend his days at home, playing with his grandchildren.”
Sabine nodded as if she understood. There would never be a day where she could retire. But if she was able to, she imagined living someplace like where she’d grown up, surrounded by a loving family like hers. Evander’s image came to mind.
“I don’t want to monopolize your time,” Regina said, “and it looks like there are others who wish to talk with you.”
Sabine spoke to a few other people before excusing herself from the party. Out in the hallway, her guards stood waiting for her. Before Rainer returned that evening, she wanted to speak with someone. Squaring her shoulders, she said, “Take me to Princess Lottie’s room.”
Chapter Six
Sabine stared at Lottie’s door, willing herself to find the courage to confront the woman responsible for Alina’s death. The injustice of it burned—Lottie resting comfortably in her opulent bedchamber watched by only two sentries.
“Shall I knock for you, Queen Sabine?” Drew asked.
She shook her head, shifting her weight from foot to foot, trying to get her thoughts in order. Trying to keep her temper under control. The second she passed the threshold, her defenses had to be up. The purpose of her visit was twofold—get the princess to confess so Sabine’s guards could overhear and try to understand why Lottie had Alina killed.
With Rainer’s imminent return at any moment, Sabine couldn’t wait any longer. Lifting her arm, she knocked.
The door flew open. “Oh,” Lottie said, jerking back, away from Sabine. “I thought you were a servant delivering my food.” Lottie wore a simple green dress, setting off her dark hair which hung in waves down her back. “What do you want?” The door remained only partially open, blocking Sabine’s view into the room.
“Is that any way to greet your queen?” Sabine asked.
“What do you want, Your Majesty?” Lottie’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“We are now sisters,” Sabine said. “Funny how that works. I had a sister, one I loved very much, and you had her killed. I was sister-less. Then I married your brother, and now you and I are sisters-in-law.” Sabine stared into Lottie’s cold, emotionless eyes. She clutched her hands together, afraid she’d reach forward and strangle the woman.
“Are you here to gloat?” Lottie asked, one hand on her hip, making no move to invite Sabine inside.
“Gloat? That I’m alive and the assassin you hired didn’t kill me?” This woman was delusional if that was what she thought.
Lottie shrugged. “I suppose it doesn’t matter now.” She peered at the guards standing a respectable distance away. A slow smile spread across her face as she leaned forward and whispered, “I’m going to marry an assassin. Maybe I’ll have him teach me the art of killing so I can finish the job myself.” She straightened and folded her arms across her chest.
Red flashed across Sabine’s vision—not for the threat to her life, but for the reminder that Lottie was going to marry Evander. She suddenly found it hard to breathe.
Lottie chuckled. “I heard stories from my contacts.” She leaned against the doorframe. “I can see they must be true based upon your reaction. Interesting. I’m glad I said something to Rainer. He has a right to know you’ve been unfaithful.”
Cold dread filled Sabine. “You’re the one who told Rainer about…” She didn’t finish that sentence since her guards could hear every word spoken. “I have not been unfaithful to my husband.”
“You keep telling yourself that.” Lottie suddenly straightened. “I’d ask you to come in, but I neither like you nor want to be in your company any longer than necessary.” She started to close the door.
“Wait,” Sabine practically shouted. “I just want to know why.”
Lottie stopped, the door half concealing her body now. “Why what?”
“Why did you have Alina killed? Why send an assassin after me?” Not that having a reason would justify or make it better, but Sabine needed some sort of closure and for it to make sense. Some explanation other than power.
When Lottie didn’t respond, Sabine took a step closer and said, “Are you jealous that your brother rules over Lynk instead of you?”
Lowering her voice, Lottie said, “You don’t deserve to wear Lynk’s crown. You’re not even from here.”
