Page 100 of The Royal Throne
Sabine gestured for him to speak.
“Excuse me, Your Majesty, but what happened to Commander Felix?”
“He died in his sleep.”
A collective murmur rippled through the tent as everyone expressed their shock.
“Before the commander died, we spoke. He told me he didn’t want to go to war with our neighboring kingdoms. I agreed with him.”
“So we’re not going to attack the south?” another soldier asked.
“No,” Sabine replied. “We are not going to war.” Now she had to get them to destroy their weapons, pack up, and head home. Peacefully.
The tent flap opened and someone strode through. “That’s not entirely true,” Rainer’s voice cut through the tent as he strolled toward Sabine who still stood at the table. “Now that I’m here, I will take over command of the army. And we will be going to war.” He slid his arm around Sabine’s waist, pulling her to his side. “Hello, wife. Nice to see you here.” He kissed her forehead.
Sabine froze in shock.
Chapter Twenty-Three
For Rainer to be there already, he had to have left the palace shortly after Sabine did. Since he didn’t seem surprised to see her, he must have figured out her plan.
Her forehead burned where his lips had touched her. She peeked into his hard, unyielding eyes. His grip on her waist pinched to the point of being painful.
“Now that I’m here,” Rainer quipped, “everything will proceed as planned.”
“No,” Sabine said, shaking her head, refusing to let him ruin everything. She’d given up too much, sacrificed too much. “There will not be a war. I forbid it.”
He chuckled, the sound low and rumbling. “Honey, I know the idea of a war scares you since you’re so fragile. That’s why you’ll let those of us who’ve trained and know how to fight handle this.” He pinched her side harder.
She flinched, trying to move away from him, but he held firm. Two of the women in the tent noticed his hand on her side.
“I’ve been appointed the commander of this army—not you,” Sabine said. “I’m in charge.”
“Even as the commander,” he replied, his voice smooth as silk, “I still outrank you. I’m in charge of the commander. My word goes. I think it’s cute of you wanting to come here and help. But you are out of your league.”
This could not be happening. Every time she had a plan she was sure would outmaneuver Rainer, he did something to turn it on its side.
“We don’t need to go to war,” she insisted. “This is madness.” Maybe the other lieutenants would agree with her. Maybe they could all convince Rainer to stand down.
Rainer leaned toward her, whispering in her ear, “Madness is thinking a little girl from Bakley can come into Lynk and control the army. You have no idea what you’re doing or playing at.” Rainer straightened and faced those present in the tent. “Return to your units. Spread the word that we’ll attack tomorrow as planned. Dismissed.”
Everyone filed out of the tent except Drew. Sabine had no idea where Cutler had gone. Maybe once Rainer entered the tent, Cutler left because he couldn’t stand to be around the person responsible for his wife’s death.
“Captain Drew,” Rainer said, “you’re relieved of guarding the queen. I’ll take responsibility for her safety from now on.”
Drew’s eyes locked on Sabine’s. She knew he didn’t want to leave. However, if he disobeyed the king, Rainer would kill him. Even though she didn’t want to, she nodded at Drew, letting him know he should go.
He hesitated a moment before giving a curt nod and exiting the tent.
Now that the two of them were alone, Sabine said, “You’re insane.” She tried shoving away from Rainer but he didn’t release her.
“You have caused me all sorts of problems. I’m done playing games with you.” He grabbed her arm, twisting it behind her back and forcing her out the tent. “Smile or I’ll kill you right now,” he whispered in her ear. He kept her body against his so no one would realize what he was doing to her. The two of them entered the adjacent tent. This one contained a large bed and several opened trunks filled with clothes and various weapons. A fur rug covered the floor.
Rainer shoved her onto the bed and cold fear sliced into Sabine.
“I’ll scream,” she said, scooting back, trying to put space between them. She needed to get the poison tipped dagger from her boot.
Rainer loomed over her. She tried not to make any sudden movements. Her hand slowly slid down, only inches from her weapon. He snatched her wrist, yanking it up. She cried out in pain. Grabbing a piece of rope, he tied her wrist to the top of the bed. Then he grabbed her other wrist, doing the same.
