Page 41 of The Royal Throne
“If something goes wrong, if something happens to me, promise me you’ll leave the palace. I want you to go to the League’s house and wait there until your brother comes for you.”
“What are you planning to do while you’re here?” she asked, wondering if he had an assassination mission of his own.
“I can’t tell you. But if things go badly, you need to get out of here.”
Gazing into his green eyes, she couldn’t imagine anything happening to him. “You want me to leave my subjects? Abandon my kingdom?”
“Yes. It’s for your own safety.”
She didn’t know if she could do that. Hiding away didn’t seem like it would solve anything.
“Sabine, promise me.”
“I took an oath.”
“But your marriage isn’t consummated. The oath might not be binding. Your life might end up being in jeopardy.”
She needed to know. “Is there another assassin after me?”
He didn’t say anything.
“People have been turning up dead here in Lynk,” she said. “Do you know anything about that?”
“The less you know, the better,” he answered.
She didn’t know how to respond to that. If the two of them could just be open and honest, then they could work together. But he was a prince from Avoni and she was the queen of Lynk. They had each made vows to protect their respective kingdoms.
“I wish,” she said, but then thought better of it.
“What do you wish?” he probed. “Tell me.”
“I wish there was a way for us to be together.”
The corners of his lips pulled into a smile. “I wish that as well.” He kissed her cheek. “I need to get back to my ship.”
“Be safe,” she whispered.
He went over to the wall beside the archway, gripped the uneven stones, and hauled himself upward. Within minutes, he was out of sight. Her assassin-pirate-prince.
Harper burst into Sabine’s room, waking her. “Your Majesty,” Harper said, coming to sit on the edge of the bed. “I have news.”
Sabine rubbed her eyes, sitting up. “What is it?”
“A ship flying Avoni’s royal flag has been spotted. The king wants you dressed for receiving guests.” She pulled Sabine’s covers back.
“Any word on who’s here?” Sabine asked as she stood and stretched, knowing it had to be Evander.
“Not officially. But the king asked for you to wear blue. I heard him say something about it being Prince Evander coming here for Lottie.” Harper dropped her voice to a whisper. “Do you think the prince is an assassin? My mother said everyone in Avoni is an assassin.”
Sabine knelt and gave Harta good morning kisses. “Who knows. Maybe you can ask him when you meet him.”
“Yeah right,” Harper said. “I don’t need an assassin coming after me. I think I’ll stay away.” Harper went into the closet. “You want to wear something my sister made?” she yelled.
“Yes, please,” she called out. Then softer, she whispered to Harta, “You’re lucky you can stay here and lounge around. That you don’t have to see the man you love with another woman—especially someone as vile as Lottie.”
“I have just the thing for you to wear,” Harper said as she came out of the closet, carrying an outfit with her. “And it’ll make you look so pretty the assassin won’t even think about killing you.”
Sabine stood and chuckled. While Harper was a little rough on the edges, she provided a ray of light in this otherwise dreary palace.
