Page 46 of The Royal Throne
“I’ve only just arrived here in Lynk and I can already see everyone here loves you. You’re all anyone talks about. Your kindness, beauty, how much you care about the common folk. You’ve won them over.”
“Must be my scandalous outfits,” she joked.
“Careful,” he said. “You’re smiling. I don’t want anyone to think you’re having fun with me. I’m from Avoni.” His thumb rubbed circles on her palm.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispered. Evander had such an easy way of making her feel at home.
He sighed. “Please don’t lick your bottom lip like that,” he mumbled. “It’s hard enough to touch you without touching you. If you lick your lip like that again, my composure will slip, and I’m barely hanging on as it is.”
Her body tensed at his words. Such simple words that evoked so many emotions. “Please don’t marry Lottie.” The words slipped out before she thought better of it.
“Sabine, I have to.” His grip tightened ever so slightly.
“But you don’t love her.”
“If it keeps Rainer from declaring war against Avoni, if it saves my people, it’s a small price to pay.”
“She’ll never make you happy.”
He closed his eyes for a couple of seconds. When he opened them, he said, “I had to stand there and watch you dance with Rainer. I had to watch his eyes roam over your body, as if he’s entitled to it. When his lips caressed yours…”
“I haven’t shared a bed with him.”
“But you will.” When she went to protest, he shook his head. “My point is simply that I know what it feels like, so you don’t need to tell me. I understand. It hurts.”
“I don’t want to share his bed. Ever.” The words came out barely a whisper.
“I know you. You’ll share his bed if it means saving your subjects.” He raised his brows, daring her to tell him he was wrong.
“For once I’d like to do what I want,” she mumbled.
“We could, you know.”
“What do you mean?” Her heart began to pound, demanding to know if there was a way for them to be together.
“Just say the word, and I’ll get you out of here. We can run away together.”
Her feet froze, and she stood there staring at him. “You’d do that?” He’d run away with her knowing it would put Avoni at risk—his family, his subjects, his assassin guild?
He nodded.
The song ended.
“The question is, would you?” He bowed then turned, going over to Lottie and taking her hand. The crowd descended upon them, consuming the dance floor, as a lively tune began playing.
Sabine remained standing there, dumbfounded. Evander would run away with her, but she couldn’t even consider the possibility. As much as she wanted to, she wouldn’t abandon her people. If she did, then Alina’s death would have been for nothing. She needed to stay and fight.
“Queen Sabine,” Commander Felix said, bowing before her. “A dance?”
She nodded and took Felix’s hand. He spoke of unassuming topics, none of which held her interest because she couldn’t stop thinking about Evander.
At the end of the song, he whispered, “The report you requested is in your room. I put it under your mattress. Please let me know if you need anything else.” He bowed.
Axel stepped in front of her, requesting the next dance. “I’m not sure where to put my hands,” he said. “You look practically naked. I’m afraid to touch something I shouldn’t.”
She rolled her eyes. All necessary parts were covered with skin colored fabric.
“If I move one of these strands of diamonds, will they all fall off?” He cocked his head to the side.
