Page 7 of The Royal Throne
Her heart beat rapidly. There was no way he could know that she’d traveled alone with Evander. “I’ve been with my brother,” she said slowly. “Surely you’re not implying anything untoward?”
“No, not Prince Otto. Someone else.”
“Why don’t you tell me who you think I’ve been with?” Even though she had traveled alone with Evander, she’d remained true to Rainer—regardless of how difficult that had been or how much she wanted to be with Evander.
“Let me ask you this. Who did you leave with the night of the masquerade?” His eyes remained watching her every move.
While petting the dog, she thought back to what Anton had told her he’d said to Rainer. “No one. I left by myself.”
“How did you get out of the palace unseen?” He raised his eyebrows.
“That was weeks ago,” she mumbled, still stroking Harta’s head. “I was frantic that night. Terrified. I don’t remember all the details.”
“Which way?” he asked again, clearly annunciating each word.
The best answer would be a combination of truths infused with lies in order to protect Evander and Avoni. “That was the night I learned of Lottie’s treachery,” she said. “I was so scared.”
Rainer rubbed his face and sighed. “Let’s try another question. How did you discover this supposed treachery?”
She leaned back against the headboard, Harta moving her head to rest on Sabine’s legs. “The night of the masquerade, I snuck into the servants’ passageways. I went to the Avoni delegation’s suite. There, I overheard Lottie with a man whom I assume is an assassin based upon what he said. I rushed to find you, but you were gone. No one knew where you were.” It was the night Rainer had been on a mission of his own.
“Then what did you do?”
“I ran into Anton,” she said. “He mentioned something about a League meeting, and I knew my brother would be there.” Her family had sent her letters, but she hadn’t received any of them. She suspected Rainer was responsible for destroying them. “Since I hadn’t heard from my family in weeks, I thought something must be wrong.” His shoulders stiffened ever so slightly. If she hadn’t been looking for it, she might have missed it. “So, between me being terrified for my life and worried about my family, I was frantic and not thinking clearly. I assume I went out the way you showed me, but I’m not sure if it was the same way or not. Like I said, it was late, dark, and I was frightened—especially when no one knew where you were. I needed you, and you weren’t there.”
“And you did this alone? With no one helping or guiding you?”
“Looking back, I wish I’d taken Lieutenant Markis with me. But like I said, I was afraid and not thinking clearly.” The more she spoke, the easier the lies came.
“And once you exited the palace? Then what did you do?”
That was a very good question, and here was where things would get tricky. “I headed to the water where I found a boat. It was small. I have no idea who it belonged to. I’m so sorry if I stole someone’s boat—I wasn’t thinking. I used it to travel along the coastline. When day came, I found a dock. After tying the boat up, I traveled south on a road to the League’s house in Nisk.” In truth, she never would have been able to make it on her own back then. Now, she probably could thanks to everything Evander had taught her.
“And you did all of this alone?” He sounded skeptical.
“Yes, alone. Without the aid of another person.” She folded her arms, annoyance setting in.
“Why not travel with Anton?”
“The thought never crossed my mind.”
“Even though he’s the one who told you about the League meeting?”
She shrugged. “All I could think about was getting away from your sister and the assassin. I needed protection, and I went to the League and my brother for that.”
“You are the queen of Lynk, and I will protect you.” His words sounded cold and lifeless.
“Then Lottie is in the dungeon where she can’t hurt me?”
“I ordered for her to be locked in her room, and two men are guarding her. She won’t hurt you.”
Sabine pursed her lips, unconvinced that locking Lottie in her room would prevent her from scheming to seize the crown.
“Speaking of which,” Rainer continued, “I’d like for you to remain in here as much as possible.”
“Why?”
“It’s the safest place for you.”
