Page 61 of The Royal Throne
All her life, she’d been raised as a princess, not as someone who’d be a queen one day. There had been several times she felt ill-prepared for this role. Any and all advice was much appreciated. “Please, whatever you can offer, I’ll take.”
“You’re doing the right thing.” He squeezed her shoulder before releasing it. “Rainer must be stopped. You’ve only seen a sliver of him.”
Which implied he was more of a monster than she’d imagined. Cold terror filled her. This plan of hers would force some sort of reaction out of him.
“I know this may not be my place,” he said, “but know the king will use anyone you’re close to or care about to get back at you.”
Which was why she’d come to Drew in the first place.
“So, if there is someone else here in the palace you care for,” he looked pointedly at her, “that person probably deserves some sort of warning about what you’re going to do.”
Her face flushed. While Drew might not know the details of her relationship with Evander, he knew something was going on since he’d planned that outing yesterday.
“Consider this,” Drew continued, “if Rainer punched someone you care for right in front of you, how would you react?”
If Rainer punched Evander, she’d probably react without meaning to. It would be instinctual.
Reading the emotions playing across her face, Drew said gently, “That’s all Rainer has to do. Threaten someone, you react, he has you. You’ll be arrested for treason. This is what you’re up against.”
Now she understood why he’d brought this up. Rainer would be watching her every move. If she did anything that questioned her loyalty to the king, he’d have her arrested. It would be a tit for tat so to speak. In order to survive the next few days, she’d have to push Evander away.
“I want Lottie arrested directly after supper this evening.” That way, she had time to warn Evander and he, in turn, had time to make his own plans and arrangements.
“Consider it done, Your Majesty.”
Chapter Fourteen
Sabine entered the royal family’s private dining room. Since she was the first to arrive, she headed out onto the balcony. A light breeze blew, caressing her skin and offering a reprieve from the excessive heat. Leaning on the railing, she thought over everything she needed to do once Lottie was arrested in a few short hours. If something went wrong, she’d need a back-up plan. If there was one thing she’d learned from Evander, it was that nothing ever went according to plan, so she had to be prepared.
“I’m graced with a moment alone with you,” Axel said as he sauntered onto the balcony.
Sabine twisted around to face him.
He stopped before her, blinking several times. “That’s another magnificent outfit.” He pulled the collar of his shirt away from his neck.
This was one of the more subdued dresses she’d had made. The pale pink fabric clung to her with thin straps over her shoulders, widening to cover her breasts before falling in a straight, graceful line. Slits on either side revealed long stretches of her legs. A strand of silver wrapped around her waist, holding the fabric in place.
“It seems that no matter what you wear, whether it’s Lynk fashion or a new trend you’re setting, you’re lovely. Exquisite even.”
“You’re such a tease.” She laughed, shoving Axel’s shoulder.
He rolled his eyes. “I’m serious. You light up a room.”
Her eyes narrowed, considering him. He couldn’t possibly know what she had planned for after supper. “Why the sudden compliments?” If he knew she’d ordered Lottie’s arrest thereby condemning him, he might be trying to get in her good graces.
He shrugged. “I think the entire situation is rather ironic. You didn’t want to dress in Lynk fashion, but Rainer forced it on you. Now, you’re the epitome of Lynk. You’re everything he wished for and more.”
“I’m not sure that constitutes irony.”
He took a step closer to her, lowering his voice. “If you weren’t our queen, if you weren’t married to Rainer, every man in this palace would be vying for your affection, myself included.”
“I doubt that,” she replied, wanting to lighten the mood. She wasn’t used to Axel being like this with her. “Have you been drinking?”
He laughed. “Oh Sabine, you have no idea.”
She stopped paying attention to him when she noticed Anton enter the room.
Anton went over to the side table, pouring himself a drink before coming out on the balcony and joining them. “There’s a League meeting tomorrow. As soon as supper is over, I’m leaving.” He took a large gulp from his glass.
