Page 50 of The Royal Throne
“Sabine,” Rainer called out after her.
She didn’t stop.
“I can show you to the guest wing,” Rainer said to Evander.
“I don’t need your help,” Evander replied. “I’ll figure it out.”
Sabine rounded the first corner she came to and leaned against the wall, squeezing her eyes shut.
Chapter Twelve
“That husband of yours is a piece of work,” Evander said.
Sabine’s eyes flew open to find Evander standing before her.
He nodded his head to the right. “Let’s go somewhere more private to talk before that idiot comes after you.” Without waiting for her to respond, he headed down the hallway.
Not wanting to overthink it, she followed him, her guards trailing her.
“Captain Drew,” Evander said, waving him forward and surprising Sabine that he knew her guard’s name. “I’m thinking of going to the library. Will that afford us some privacy?”
“I think that’s a wise decision at this hour,” Drew replied, stepping back to rejoin the rest of her guards.
No one spoke as they made their way to the other side of the palace where the library was located. When they got there, the room was dark, lit only by the moonlight filtering in from the tall window at the far end.
“I recommend keeping the oil lamps unlit,” Drew stated as he remained near the doorway. “With the ball still going on, people may pass by. Since privacy is what you desire, lights would only attract unwanted attention and make it easier to see inside.”
“I agree,” Sabine said as she stepped into the room.
“I’ll remain here by the entrance with one other guard,” Drew said. “The rest will stay nearby out of sight.”
“Thank you.” Sabine headed over to the window.
“I forgot how much I despise Lynk,” Evander whispered. “Its climate, its king, and this confining palace.”
Sabine glanced over her shoulder as Evander headed deeper into the library and out of sight.
A few minutes later, he returned, sitting on one of the chairs at the table in front of the window. “I just wanted to make sure no one else was in here. We’re alone. Talk to me.”
“What’s there to say?” The last thing she wanted to do was discuss Rainer and his mistress.
As if reading her thoughts, Evander changed the subject and said, “I’ve been informed that your brother, Viktor, is marrying my sister, Carin.”
She still thought it an odd pairing. “Why Viktor?” Otto would have been a better option.
“I have no idea why my father picked Viktor, but I’m sure he has his reasons.”
Aligning Bakley and Avoni was a smart move. However, she wished it would have taken place months ago, then maybe all this nonsense with Lynk wouldn’t have happened. Maybe, just maybe, she could have married Evander to align their two kingdoms. Fate could be so cruel. Leaning her head against the glass, she kept her back to Evander.
“Do you plan on standing over there all night?”
If she turned and faced Evander, if she stared into his green eyes, she was afraid she’d do something stupid, like kiss him.
“Sabine?”
She loved the way he said her name. Having him here, with her, was harder than she’d expected. While she’d missed him, being this close to him made her realize she didn’t want to be without him. If he married Lottie, it would kill her. Lottie had already taken Sabine’s sister, she couldn’t have Evander too. It wasn’t fair.
“Please talk to me.” His voice was gentle and kind. “I’m not used to you being so quiet. You’re starting to scare me.”
