Page 81 of The Royal Throne
She took the letter, seeing her family seal intact, thankful for this distraction and that Evander didn’t storm off to kill Rainer. She tore the letter open and read it. “It’s from my mother. She implores me to visit Bakley.” Folding it back up, she contemplated her mother’s words.
“What’s the matter? Is someone sick?”
The letter hadn’t been written in code, but Sabine felt there was a hidden message. “Everyone is fine,” she said. “My mother writes that the Lynk soldiers have all withdrawn from Bakley, the children have been returned to their families, and that my brother, Viktor, is getting married and wishes for me to be there.” She turned it over, making sure nothing was written on the back.
“When does she want you to visit?”
“Immediately.”
“What are you going to do?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” She wanted to go but didn’t think Rainer would let her. Not only that, but there was too much going on here for her to just take off and leave again.
“You should go. Right now.”
She eyed him. “Is this because Rainer hurt me? Or is there something else you’re not telling me.” If his family planned on assassinating the Lynk royal family to stop the war, and that included Sabine, Evander needed to tell her. Hinting that she should leave wasn’t enough.
“Sabine.” Evander clutched her hands. “Go and visit your family. I know you miss them.”
“I do.” She squeezed his hands. “I’ll think about it.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “I should go.”
She stood there, reveling in his warmth and the steadfastness of him. “How was your trip?”
“Productive. We signed off on my sister’s marriage to your brother.” He righted himself. “We also decided what to do if Rainer proceeds with attacking other kingdoms.”
“How does that work with Anton there?” It didn’t seem prudent to have the prince of the kingdom causing all the problems there hearing what the other kingdoms planned to do to stop it.
“Anton is involved in making decisions. We all are. He knows what’s at stake. He has a role to play, and I hope he can do it.”
When he didn’t elaborate, she realized he wouldn’t be telling her any more than that. It grated on her nerves only knowing bits and pieces of everything.
A soft breeze floated into the room.
“Where’s your dog?” Evander asked.
“Rainer sent her back to the kennels for some additional training.” At least that was the reason she was given. In reality, she knew it was a punishment. He’d taken away her safety and companionship because she’d had Lottie arrested and tried for treason.
“Can I ask you something?” Evander said, pulling her farther into the room. He sat on the edge of her bed, so she did the same.
“You can ask me anything.”
“We’re friends?”
She nodded, wondering where this was going.
“Do you like me more than a friend?”
Smiling, she said, “Yes.”
“But you are loyal to King Rainer? You wish to stay married to him and be faithful to him?”
They’d gone over this in Avoni. “Yes. You know I want to keep the peace among our kingdoms. If that means I need to be here with Rainer, then so be it.”
“Let’s say he didn’t plan on invading the other kingdoms. Would you still want to be here at his side? Be loyal to him? Or are you only here out of obligation?”
She understood what he was implying and why. “I can’t think about hypotheticals.” She could only look at the facts and decide accordingly.
