Page 91 of The Royal Throne
She nodded.
“You need to be careful when dealing with people like him.”
“But he’s one of yours.” Evander hadn’t denied it. “You’re the leader of the Crimson Cloaks.” And as the leader, that meant he was responsible for his assassins and their actions.
“I didn’t send him here,” Evander said. “I need you to know that.” His voice held a hint of panic to it.
“Is he acting of his own free will?” Because that thought scared her.
“No.”
Then he had to be acting on behalf of the king. She didn’t realize the king could give orders to the assassins. While King Kai had told her he’d sent a group of assassins to Lynk, she mistakenly assumed Evander was still the one giving the orders, not the king.
“I guess it’s a good thing he’s in the dungeon.” She waited to hear Evander’s response, eager to have him either confirm or deny the man had been captured on purpose.
“When you went to see him,” Evander said, “did you tell him who you are?”
“He guessed.”
Evander submerged under the water. When he surfaced, he wiped the water from his face. “So he knows what you look like,” he said more to himself than to her.
“Is he responsible for the deaths we’ve had in the palace?”
“What makes you think that? He’s locked in the dungeon.”
“If it’s not him, and it’s not you, then there’s another Avoni assassin on the loose.” Which very well might be the case since the king had implied there were several assassins in Lynk. She just didn’t know if they were working separately or together.
Evander didn’t say anything. His silence scared her. She went under the water and swam to the edge. Even though it was muggy out, she was starting to get cold. Before getting out, she twisted to face Evander.
“Will you please tell me your family’s plan?” Maybe they could work together.
“My father never tells anyone the entire story. We only ever know bits and pieces. That way, if one of us is compromised, the plan isn’t. Or, if someone sells the information, he can trace it back to the traitor based on what was said.”
“In other words, you don’t know?”
“I don’t know all of it. I’ve managed to figure out a lot of the pieces just from being here.” He swam over to her, placing his hands on either side of her body, trapping her against the edge of the pool. “You’re in danger.”
“It’s a good thing I have you here to protect me,” she whispered, sliding her hand onto his chest.
“Your plan failed,” he whispered.
She flinched.
“I thought you’d figured it out,” Evander said. “I thought Lottie would be convicted of treason and Rainer would be dead. Our problems would have been solved. For a brief moment, I thought I might be able to have you. I thought wrong.” His hand took her jaw, tipping her chin up. His lips hovered next to hers. “He doesn’t love you, he doesn’t respect you, and he doesn’t deserve you.”
Her heart felt as if it had been split in two. “I know.”
His lips gently brushed hers. “Please be careful. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Keep your guards with you at all times.”
She nodded.
His hands gripped her waist and he lifted her out of the water, setting her on the edge. She stood and got a towel, wrapping it around her body.
Evander joined her, doing the same. After he pulled his tunic back on, he went over and picked up her dagger and holster. He knelt on the floor, sliding a hand up her leg to her thigh.
She gasped. The feel of him made her warm. He smiled as he attached the holster to her leg. Then he leaned forward, kissing right above the dagger. Sabine almost fell over. He chuckled and stood.
“What I wouldn’t give for a night alone with you.” He kissed her cheek. “I need to go while I still can. Goodnight.”
