Page 98 of The Royal Throne
“I’ve heard stories,” Cutler said. “Once I saw the guy, I began to wonder if those stories were even true. Maybe they were made up just to scare people?”
“What kind of stories?” Sabine asked, not sure if she really wanted to know.
“I heard someone threatened his father, the king,” Cutler said. “Evander broke into the guy’s house and killed everyone inside—the husband, wife, four sons, and over a dozen servants. After slitting each one’s throat, he hung them by their ankles, securing each to a rafter. Rumor is he made the husband watch. Saved him for last.”
Her heart beat so loudly she could hear it over the rushing of the water. The story was horrific. Suddenly, she wanted to know if it was true. Could he have killed that many people in such a cruel way?
“I was surprised the king allowed him into the palace,” Drew said. “But he did have men watching the prince at all times.”
Evander would have known the king had men watching him and been able to avoid detection if he needed to.
“I thought the men were trying to catch Evander with the queen,” Cutler quipped.
“We’re off topic,” Sabine said. “We’re supposed to be discussing the assassinations.”
“I want to know if you think Evander killed the commanders,” Drew said.
She knew he was asking her because of her friendship with the prince. Drew had seen enough to know there was something between the two of them.
“Is he capable? Yes, without a doubt he could have pulled it off. Did he do it? No, I don’t think he did. However, I do believe an Avoni assassin committed the murders. But with regard to Evander, no, I don’t think he did it.”
“And what about Lottie?” Cutler asked. “Do you think Evander killed her since her death was different from the others?”
“I’m not sure. He was supposed to marry her tomorrow. He could have married her, left the kingdom with her, then killed her and said she died of natural causes.”
“True,” Cutler said.
“But it’s rather convenient, don’t you think?” Drew asked.
As horrible as it was, Sabine didn’t mind Lottie’s death, so she hadn’t given it much thought. Lottie deserved to die because of what she did to Alina. A trickle of fear slid through her. Evander knew Sabine felt that way. Had he carried out his own brand of justice on her behalf?
“And Heather’s death,” Cutler said. “I know the healers said her body wasn’t able to handle the baby and she’d been sick for days. But the timing is suspicious.”
“Again, I’m not saying it wasn’t an assassin from Avoni,” she repeated. “But I don’t think it was Evander.”
“Are you implying that there’s another Avoni assassin on the loose?” Cutler asked.
“I think there is another assassin in Lynk.” She didn’t need to share any details beyond that.
“Then we all need to be extremely careful,” Drew said. “The assassin could be anywhere.”
In the darkness, Sabine had no way to keep track of time. She ate when she was hungry and slept when she was tired. When not doing either of those things, she had nothing to do but think. The blackness surrounding her seemed to breed doubt and negative thoughts. If Evander was involved in the assassinations, was she okay with that? She honestly didn’t know. He’d told her countless times that his father had a plan in place. It made sense that Avoni’s plan involved killing people since it seemed that was all they were capable of doing. The issue she had was the number of people they’d killed all in the name of stopping a war. Truth be told, it was the same reasoning she’d used when she had Lottie arrested knowing her siblings would face the same fate. Sabine had told herself that a few deaths to save many justified those deaths.
It felt like days passed. Just as her mind and body had reached the limit for what she could take on this journey, a faint light came from up ahead. The lava tube expanded, and the water opened onto a small beach before narrowing and exiting through a large opening off to the side. The boat hit the sandy bottom and Drew jumped out, pulling the boat farther onto the shore. Sabine and Cutler climbed out. No one spoke as the three of them lifted the boat, carrying it over to the side where dozens of boats had been stacked.
They grabbed their sacks of supplies and headed to the exit. It was too bright for them, so they remained where they were, letting their eyes slowly adjust. Once they were able to handle the light, they exited. Clouds covered the sky making it difficult to tell the time of day. Cutler led the way, taking them south and eastward. They didn’t talk as they traversed over rocky terrain which eventually leveled out. They continued until nightfall, then made camp.
The next morning, they traveled until just after midday when the land opened to a large field covered with tents and soldiers. To the south, the wall separating Lynk from the southern kingdoms loomed tall and imposing.
“I didn’t expect so many soldiers,” Sabine whispered. There had to be thousands of them in the valley. Way more than she’d ever seen in the cavern.
“Lieutenant Aaren is most likely in charge,” Cutler said. “We’ll go straight to the command station to speak with him.”
A tent larger than the others stood in the middle of the camp with a blue flag at its peak.
“Just remember you are not only the commander but the queen,” Drew said. “You bow to no one. Cutler and I have your back.”
She turned to face him. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” Sometimes he reminded her of Otto the way he offered advice. Since she was young and inexperienced, it was nice to know others cared for her well-being and success.
