Page 85 of The Royal Throne
“No.”
The head of her guard should have access to the dungeon. Although, the more she thought about it, she didn’t see a reason for her guards to have a key to the dungeon. If there was an issue, Captain Lithane would work with them to handle it. The less people who had access, the better. Regardless, that didn’t help her right now. An idea came to her.
Without another word, Sabine turned and headed to see Lady Regina. Not having much time until Rainer returned, she hoped Regina would have her husband’s keys. Sabine was just about to knock on the door when Cutler exited the suite.
“My queen,” he said. “If you’re here to visit my mother, she just fell asleep.”
Sabine didn’t want to wake Regina, since she’d had a rough few days. “I’m actually here for another reason,” she admitted. “I am hoping your father’s keys are in your suite.” She nodded behind Cutler.
“Keys for what?” His eyes narrowed.
“The dungeon.” There was no point lying or hiding her intentions.
He raised his eyebrows. “What do you want to go down there for?”
“I wish to question the prisoner.”
He shook his head. “That’s not a good idea. The man is dangerous.”
Cutler sounded like Drew. “Your father took me down there. He let me talk with the prisoner.” And she’d been the only one he’d spoken to. She’d probably gleaned more information than anyone had.
Cutler rubbed his jaw. “Walk with me,” he finally said as he headed down the hallway. Sabine hurried to join him. “I am on my way to see Heather. She’s still ill. I only left her to come here to check on my mother.”
“I’m sorry she’s not improving,” Sabine said. “Where is she staying?” She hadn’t seen Heather in Rainer’s room and she hadn’t seen her in Regina’s suite either.
He shook his head. “I can’t get into it with you right now. The situation is…well…you’re a queen, so I don’t want to curse in front of you.”
Sabine appreciated him being so forthright with her. “I hope your mother is doing better.”
“She is, but she’s worried. And tired. She leaves in a couple of days. I’m trying to get the king to agree to let me leave with her.”
“Surely he’d let you accompany your mother to her estate.”
He clasped his hands behind his back. “I want to leave with my wife.”
Ah, that was the problem. Rainer didn’t want to let his lover go. It shouldn’t have surprised Sabine, yet it did.
“Why do you want to see the assassin?” Cutler asked.
“I want to make sure he’s still locked up and hasn’t gotten out.” She shivered, imagining him sneaking out of the dungeon at night to kill people.
“You can’t believe he murdered Neron.”
“I think he did. And I think he killed your father.” She didn’t know how, but she’d seen enough Avoni assassins to know it was possible.
They walked in silence for a few minutes.
“Queen Sabine, I can personally assure you that the prisoner is in the dungeon. As for my father’s keys, the king took them, and I don’t have my own key to enter the dungeon.”
Irritation filled her. “Then how can you be so sure the man is still locked in the dungeon?”
He rubbed his shoulder. “I interrogated him,” he said quietly.
Cutler had the title of a captain. For some reason, it never occurred to her what or who he was in charge of. She’d assumed he was similar to Drew in his station and rank. To hear that he’d interrogated someone, and that someone was an Avoni prisoner, meant he had to be in charge of that sort of thing. Instead of questioning him about it, she said, “What did you learn?”
“Nothing. He refused to speak even when dubious means were used.”
“You hurt him?” she asked.
