Page 17 of The Royal Throne
“He is to marry Princess Carin, Evander’s sister,” Otto said. “She’s the youngest of the three Avoni princesses, correct?”
“Yes,” Sabine answered. During her stay in Avoni, she’d only spoken with Carin a couple of times. Sabine had been closer to Gemma since Gemma showed up to help when Evander had been injured.
“What do you know about her?” Otto asked.
“Carin is beautiful, but I don’t know if her personality will match Viktor’s since I don’t know her that well.” She couldn’t imagine Viktor married to an assassin. “This is…” Surprising. Shocking. Unexpected.
“Viktor is probably upset I wasn’t home to enter into negotiations instead of him.” He chuckled. “Pity.”
“Why the necessary union between Bakley and Avoni?” she mused.
“Read the letter again. Father has a coded message in there.” Otto stood and began pacing the room. “It’s genius really. Avoni and Bakley are aligned, just like Lynk and Bakley. Lynk can’t make a move against Avoni now. The marriage ensures Avoni is safe from an attack.”
“I thought that was the purpose of Prince Evander marrying Princess Lottie?”
Otto chuckled. “She can’t marry him if she’s in the dungeon or dead.”
After she’d met and talked with King Kai from Avoni, she couldn’t imagine him aligning his kingdom with Bakley’s. And, to be honest, a small part of her felt as if a knife had pierced her heart. If she’d been home, maybe she could have married Evander. Cursing her fate, she shoved back from the table and stood, needing to do something.
“Where are you going?” Otto asked.
She peered over at him. “Up for a little mischief?”
Chapter Five
Sabine and Otto crossed the bridge, her guards following close behind.
“I’m glad we’re out of the palace,” Otto said. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”
She peered at him sidelong. “About what?”
He whispered, “You need to be careful with Rainer.”
A dark laugh escaped her lips. “Trust me, I know—I’m married to him.” While she didn’t know him well, the fact that he’d had the entire Avoni delegation killed, kidnapped the Bakley children, and planned to wage war was more than enough for her not to like the guy.
“The longer I’m here,” Otto said, “the more I hear about him that is disturbing.”
“Like what?” She couldn’t imagine what else there could possibly be.
“His temper is brought up repeatedly.”
“By whom?” She wondered who he’d been talking to and where his information came from.
“Guards, soldiers, some of the nobles in the palace. Just be careful.”
Sliding her arm around his, she pulled him closer. “Thank you for caring. But you don’t need to worry about me. I’ve got this.” He likely wouldn’t believe her false bravado. However, she needed to assure him so he’d leave. The longer he stayed, the more she feared for his life.
He patted her hand. “I really hope so.”
They stepped off the bridge and headed along the main road, into town.
“What, exactly, is your plan for today?” Otto asked, nodding at the first set of buildings they were about to pass.
She dropped her brother’s arm and opened her arms out wide. “This is my kingdom; these are my people. I want to get to know them.” She reached up, making sure her crown was in place.
“And why is this considered mischief?” he asked.
“Rainer asked me to stay in my room for my own safety. When he finds out I’ve been wandering the palace, he’ll be upset. When he finds out I’ve been in the town, he’ll be livid.” A smile slid across her face.
