Chapter 2
After washing up, Sabine found a pair of pants and a shirt in the armoire. Both items were large but clean. She quickly dressed then went downstairs, eager to spend some time with her brother. She found him alone in the sitting room, resting on the sofa, Evander nowhere in sight.
“I put a few more logs in the fire for you,” Otto said by way of greeting. “Sit on the chair closest to the hearth so your hair can dry and you can warm up.”
“First, I need a proper hug.” Now that she wasn’t covered in mud.
Otto smiled and stood, wrapping his arms around his sister and squeezing. “It’s good to see you. We weren’t sure you were even alive.” He held her at arm’s length, looking into her eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. You know, other than Evander kidnapping and scaring me half to death.” She sat on the chair, curling her legs up under her.
“Kidnapping you?” Otto said, his voice slightly higher-pitched than normal.
She shrugged. “He gave me giplig, put me on a ship, brought me here.”
Otto’s face reddened. “Excuse me.” He turned and sprinted up the stairs.
Sabine sat there, wondering what he was doing when she heard a door bang open, followed by angry shouting, then another bang. Otto ran down the steps now looking flushed.
“What was that?” she asked. She’d seen her brothers argue and fight enough to know Otto was furious. “I thought you asked Evander to bring me here?”
“I did.” He flopped on the sofa. “But not like that.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “He was supposed to tell you what was going on, not steal you away.”
“I wouldn’t have gone with him,” she admitted while rolling her sleeves up. She would have remained in Lynk with her husband.
“Why is that?” Otto asked, running a hand through his shaggy dark hair. The skin under his eyes appeared slightly gray, as if he hadn’t slept in days.
“Because I wouldn’t have believed him.” If her parents had been concerned, they could have sent a letter to Markis. While she understood they’d be worried about her after Alina was assassinated, there wasn’t much her parents could do to protect her, especially from so far away. So asking her to leave with a man she didn’t know wasn’t something she would have even considered doing.
“We became concerned after you didn’t respond to Father’s last letter.”
She groaned, thinking about how her dog had destroyed that letter. “That’s because I never read it.” She quickly explained how Harta had eaten the paper.
“So the letter arrived, but you never read it?” Otto asked, leaning forward on the couch.
A chill slid through Sabine as she thought over the incident. At first, she’d assumed Harta had been misbehaving and trying to get her attention by destroying the letter. However, knowing how well-trained the dog was, Sabine was now inclined to believe someone had told the animal to eat it. “No,” she whispered. “I did not. What did it say?” Fear and apprehension filled her. She couldn’t even trust her own dog.
“Father wrote in code stating that he believed King Rainer was manipulating the situation in order to marry you so he could get soldiers on the ground in Bakley to surround Carlon and Nisk.” His words hung heavy in the air, the information buzzing around like bees ready to attack.
Sabine rubbed her forehead. “I don’t understand.” When and how had her father come upon this information? The fire crackled in the hearth, startling her. She shivered even though the room was warm.
“It all started when the League reviewed the new contract with your name. I noticed an increase in the number of soldiers father requested, which I thought was strange since he never mentioned it to me.”
Sabine had heard Rainer talk about the increase in soldiers.
“Father said he didn’t make any changes other than putting your name in place of Alina’s.” Otto scooted over on the sofa so he was in front of Sabine. “I informed the other League members, and we decided not to approve the marriage until we could investigate further.”
“And did you?” she asked.
Otto nodded. “We managed to arrange for the Avoni delegation to travel to Lynk under the guise of wanting to witness the wedding ceremony knowing the marriage hadn’t been approved yet. We hoped they’d discover nothing was amiss, and your marriage could proceed as planned.”
“I’m guessing that since I’m sitting here, things didn’t go as planned.” She rubbed her eyes, suddenly exhausted.
“No, they did not. Avoni discovered soldiers preparing for battle. Weapons are being amassed in caves near the border, armor is being made, and there are tent cities with soldiers ready to enter Carlon and Nisk at a moment’s notice.”
Sabine stared into the fire, thinking over everything her brother had revealed. “How did Avoni come across this information?” It wasn’t like the delegation was running around Lynk. They were at the palace. And she’d traveled through the kingdom and hadn’t seen anything to support this.
“The delegation took spies with them.”
“And we trust their spies?”
“I don’t know.”
She leaned forward, taking her brother’s hands. “An Avoni assassin killed Alina. An Avoni assassin is after me. We can’t blindly trust them.”
“I understand.” Otto squeezed her hands. “And I do need to discuss the matter with Evander.”
“Are the two of you friends?” she asked, skeptical that Otto had friends she didn’t know about. Granted, he’d been a League member and she hadn’t known that.
“We are. I’ve known him for some time.” He leaned back in his chair. “Now tell me, did Rainer confide in you? What have you learned? Did you discover who hired the assassin to kill Alina?”
So many questions that she didn’t even know where to begin, so she started with the first. She explained how Rainer never confided in her. Then she went on to tell him how she’d discovered Lottie was trying to take her brother’s throne and had hired the assassin to kill Alina.
Otto nodded. “And did you overhear anything about the kidnapped Bakley children?”
“No.”
“Rolf sent out spies to watch the border and report back on who was conducting the raids and stealing our children.” He looked at her, the lines around his eyes deepening, as if not wanting to continue.
A sick feeling wormed its way into Sabine’s stomach. “What did he discover?” she asked, knowing she wouldn’t like the answer. Before going to Lynk, she’d been so sure Carlon was responsible for everything.
“There is conflicting evidence, but there is viable proof that Lynk soldiers are raiding the borders and doing the kidnappings.”
Sabine rubbed her temples. The man she’d married couldn’t be responsible for these awful things. “What’s the conflicting evidence?”
“A few of the men had something tying them to Avoni.”
“So we know it’s either Lynk or Avoni who is causing Bakley all these problems.”
“Correct,” he replied. “Did you see anything to support any of this at the palace?” Otto asked. “Did Rainer mention anything to you at all?”
She shook her head. She’d been so wrapped up in finding Alina’s killer that she hadn’t been paying attention to anything else. Sometimes she felt her young age and lack of political knowledge keenly—this was one of those times. If she’d paid more attention to her studies, if she’d attended more meetings with the dignitaries from other kingdoms…there were a lot of ifs. She needed to rectify these things. She needed to protect Bakley.
“You’re not looking well,” Otto said.
“I need something warm to drink. Can someone bring me a cup of tea?” Hopefully, the beverage would soothe her stomach.
“You want tea?” Otto asked around a chuckle as he stood from the sofa. “You’re turning into Mother.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m cold and hungry is all.”
“There aren’t any servants, so we’ll have to make it ourselves.” He led her to the kitchen.
Sabine had never made her own tea before and wasn’t sure how one went about doing it. “Why aren’t there any servants?” And who would cook their supper? The kitchen had an alcove with a small hearth containing a fire. Next to it, several pots and pans hung. There were also two long counters for cutting vegetables or kneading bread. Below the counters were stacks of plates and pewter mugs. In the middle of the kitchen, a long table with a bench on either side took up a majority of the space.
“We don’t have servants because we don’t want anyone to overhear our conversations. It’s safer this way.” Otto went over and grabbed a pot.
“Are all of the League members here?” Sabine asked, taking a seat on one of the benches.
“All but one.”
She pinched her eyes shut, realization dawning on her. “Is Evander Avoni’s representative?” She looked at her brother, fearing the answer she already knew.
“Yes.” Otto filled the pot with water.
“Which means Evander is a member of the Avoni royal family?”
“He is.” He hung the pot in the hearth, above the low burning fire.
Sabine drummed her fingers on the table, contemplating this new information. Originally, she’d thought Evander was simply a member of the delegation. Then when he’d appeared on her balcony at the palace, she figured he was an assassin since he seemed to possess stealthy skills. Then he went and kidnapped her. And now she found out he was a prince. An assassin-kidnapper-pirate-prince. A man of many talents. She snorted.
Otto poured some steaming water into a mug, handing it to Sabine. Then he got a jar of tea leaves and added some into a strainer, giving it to her.
“Why is the League meeting here today?” she asked, taking the strainer and setting it in her mug to steep.
Otto sat across from her. “We’re here for two reasons. One, to discuss your marriage to King Rainer. And two, to do a little spying.” The corners of his lips rose in a half smile.
“Spying?” Sabine wrapped her hands around the mug, warming her fingers.
“Yes. We’re going on a trip tomorrow to investigate. Our spies have discovered that certain caves and tunnels are being used to transport weapons from one kingdom to another. We’re going to go and take a look to see for ourselves. The League can’t act on this information unless we’re one hundred percent sure it’s true and accurate.”
After taking her tea strainer out and setting it aside, she took a sip of the hot tea, letting its warmth fill her. “About my marriage to King Rainer,” she said as she set her mug back on the table, “we secretly married.” She quickly told Otto what had transpired before the Avoni delegation arrived in Lynk. When she finished, she leaned across the table and whispered, “The marriage hasn’t been consummated.” She sat back down, waiting for his response.
He sat there motionless, staring at her, his face revealing nothing.
“Don’t you have anything to say?” she asked, unease filling her as she shifted her weight on the bench.
His face remained unreadable. “Let me think this through. Tell no one.”
She nodded, knowing this was a tricky situation. One in which she had no idea how to navigate through. She was married, but the marriage was not consummated. She was crowned queen of Lynk but no one knew except for a handful of people. A thought suddenly occurred to her. “Is Anton here?” Since he was Lynk’s representative, he should be present.
“He is due to arrive the day after tomorrow. We wanted to talk with you and then do our spying mission before Anton got here.”
Evander came strolling into the kitchen dressed in clean clothes, his hair wet. “Tea?” he said, shaking his head as he eyed the table. “You Bakley people and your plain tea.”
Sabine glared at him but didn’t respond. Instead, she took another sip, reveling in the warmth of it, even if it was rather bland.
Evander glanced at Otto. “Are we good?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.
“Do you plan on kidnapping my sister again?” Otto asked, folding his arms.
“I don’t think so.”
“Then we’re good, so long as you don’t lay a hand on her. Are we clear?”
Evander raised his hands in surrender. “I won’t touch her.” He went over to the hearth and poured himself a cup of hot water. “It must have been tiring growing up with four older brothers,” Evander said to Sabine as he approached the table.
For once, Sabine happened to agree with him, though she’d never admit it.
Evander sat on the bench beside Otto, pulling out a small black satchel from his pocket. He opened it, revealing leaves. Sabine watched him take the tea strainer she’d used, fill it with said leaves, and put it in his cup to steep.
“You’re making tea?” she asked. “After just making fun of me for drinking the same thing?”
He nodded, his lips curling into a conciliatory smile. “I was making fun of you for drinking plain tea.”
“As opposed to exciting tea?”
He lifted a single eyebrow, his lips still curled in a smile as he removed the strainer, stirred his freshly-made tea, then pushed it toward her. “Try it.” The way he said it made it seem like a challenge.
“The last time you gave me something,” she said, pointing at him, “I found myself waking up on a ship.”
He smirked and made the sound of a chicken.
“You did not just do that,” she said, looking at him in disbelief.
Otto chuckled and shook his head. “I’d watch it if I were you,” he said, elbowing Evander. “She isn’t like most women.”
Evander shrugged. “Fine.” He reached out to grab the mug, his eyes never leaving hers, amusement dancing in them.
Irritated that it felt like defeat for not tasting the tea, she swiped the mug before Evander got it, lifted it to her lips, and took a tiny sip. Her intention had been to prove she wasn’t some pampered princess who backed down from a challenge. She wanted to show him he didn’t scare or intimidate her. However, the second the warm liquid hit her tongue, a sense of peace filled her. The tea tasted like a luxurious sweet treat she’d have after supper.
“Did you just moan?” Otto asked Sabine. “What did you give her?” He turned to Evander.
Evander chuckled. “Hand it back.” He reached for the mug.
Sabine pushed it over to him. “That’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever had.” It didn’t even taste like herbal tea.
“Like I said, you Bakley people drink plain tea.”
Evander really was quite irritating. Especially when he was right.
“If the two of you are done bickering,” Otto said, “I’d like to know what Evander saw in Lynk.”
Evander rubbed his eyes then looked at Sabine. “I know you told me Rainer wasn’t holding you at the palace against your will, but I think he was.” He spoke gently, as if afraid to hurt her feelings.
She hadn’t been a prisoner in the palace. “I was free to leave my room.” She took a sip of her drab tea. “I mean, so long as I had guards with me, but that was for my own protection. I was only confined to my room those first few days.” As she said it out loud, it sounded worse than it was.
Evander looked at Otto. “See. She was being held there without her even realizing it.” He took a sip of his tea and smiled at her.
Prick.
Otto scratched the side of his face. “Did you visit any nearby towns?”
“I went through one on my way in,” she explained. “You have to understand, there was an assassin after me. I had to be careful. Rainer didn’t want me wandering around and getting myself killed. I wasn’t locked up, and I wasn’t in a dungeon.” Rainer wanted to ensure her safety. He’d been so upset over Alina’s death that he’d been overly cautious with Sabine.
Otto sat there staring at her, his face unreadable.
“I wasn’t forced to do anything I didn’t want to do,” she said, hoping her brother understood.
“It’s such a shame you married the guy,” Evander mused. “Now your fate is tied to his. I kidnapped you hoping to save you from being involved in a nasty war.”
“There’s not going to be a war. Not if I can help it.” She rubbed her temples.
“You know she’s married?” Otto asked Evander.
“She mentioned it on the ship. If I’d known beforehand, I never would have taken her.”
“Rainer has been nothing but kind to me,” Sabine insisted. He always seemed concerned with her wellbeing and safety. Granted, he needed her to produce an heir. But he’d never been mean to her. Not really. Her face reddened thinking about how he made her feel on occasion, the clothes he insisted she wear, or even the way he expected her to behave. She remembered him training her. The way his muscles felt beneath her hands. He really was one of the most handsome men she’d ever seen.
However, now she was forced to examine things from a different perspective. Had Rainer been manipulating her into doing what he wanted? She didn’t know what to believe anymore. “I’m exhausted from my journey and wish to retire to bed.” That way she could think through her time in Lynk without having these two men sitting before her, scrutinizing her every move.
Otto stood. “Come, sister. I’ll escort you to your room.” He led the way up the stairs. Stopping outside her room, he whispered, “You know Evander is not someone you can push too hard or challenge.”
She stepped inside the room, hearing the rain pounding on the roof above her. She went over to the bedside table and lit the candle. While the room was small, containing only a single bed and armoire, it was clean and warm. It would be much better than sleeping on the deck of a ship.
“Why is that?” she asked, curiosity getting the better of her. Evander looked to be about her age. While he was tall, he didn’t have the same wide shoulders and muscles that Rainer did. “Is it because he’s from Avoni and has been trained to be an assassin?” Now that she knew he was a prince, she wasn’t so sure if he was either an assassin or pirate anymore. She didn’t see the need for members of the royal family to learn the art of assassination or pirating. Not when they had people who could perform those tasks for them.
Otto peered over his shoulder at the staircase before stepping into her room and closing the door behind him. “You need to be careful around Evander,” he whispered.
“Why?” she asked, wanting to know more about the man who’d managed to kidnap her from the palace and get her out of Lynk undetected. She shivered, wondering how he’d managed such a feat on his own. She couldn’t envision him carrying her since there wasn’t much to him.
Otto whispered, “Evander is the only son of King Kai and Queen Sherilda Botoko, he is a trained assassin, he’s Avoni’s League member, and he is one of the most wealthy and powerful men in Avoni.” He looked pointedly at her, as if making sure she understood each and every one of his points. “Most importantly, he is the leader of the Crimson Cloaks.”
“The what?”
“One of the five assassin leagues.” He folded his arms. “I’d say it’s the most exclusive, most elusive, and most difficult to join.”
She blinked. “Evander?” The red-haired man who’d kidnapped her? He seemed so…young for all those things. If anything, she’d say he was slightly awkward, a bit of a goof, and he seemed more of a joker than an assassin. She couldn’t imagine him being wealthy or powerful either. However, he’d managed to take her from right under Rainer’s roof. All on his own. And she’d seen Rainer fight and had heard stories of his army. He wasn’t someone to trifle with. Yet Evander had.
Otto put his hand on Sabine’s shoulder. “Evander is not only intelligent but an excellent fighter.”
She hadn’t seen Evander fight and had trouble imagining him being able to hold his own against someone like Rainer.
“Never underestimate him,” he added.
“How do you know this?” she asked her brother.
“I’ve known him since I was five. But that is a story for another time. Get some sleep—we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”
She nodded and pulled back the blankets on her bed. “Now that I’m here with you, I don’t have to worry about Evander.” They’d go their separate ways, and she wouldn’t have to deal with the assassin any more.
Otto left the room.
Sabine crawled under the covers. The rain had lessened to a soft patter, hitting the window in a soothing sort of way. She fell fast asleep, thoughts of Evander the assassin-pirate-prince inundating her dreams.
* * *
Someone shook Sabine awake. She peeled her eyelids open and found Otto standing next to the bed, already dressed. The room was only just starting to lighten, so it had to be too early to wake. “What’s going on?” she mumbled.
“We’re leaving to go spy. Do you want to come with us or stay here?”
Shocked he was giving her the option, she immediately agreed to go and shoved the covers back.
“Wear pants and dark colors,” Otto said before closing the door so she could change.
Sabine quickly put on black pants and a tunic. She pulled her hair back, braiding it. After rolling up the pants so she wouldn’t trip, she headed downstairs where she found four men. Two she recognized as Otto and Evander, and the other two had to be the League representatives from Carlon and Nisk.
“Sabine,” Otto said when she neared. “This is Thad.” He pointed to the shorter man with black hair. “And this is Seth.” He indicated the older man with dirty-blond hair. “We don’t use titles here.”
“Good morning.” She noticed each had a jacket and hat in hand.
“Let’s get going,” Otto said, opening the front door.
She went out on the porch where she found her muddy boots. After putting them on, she straightened. Otto stood there holding a jacket out for her. She slid her arms in. The thing was large on her, but it was warm.
“There’s a hat in the pocket,” Otto said. “Let’s go.” His breath came out in a white cloud.
The two of them followed Evander, Thad, and Seth. The group made their way toward the back of the house before cutting across the field, no one talking as they walked. The sky continued to lighten though the sun had not yet risen.
Sabine shoved her hands into her pockets, trying to stay warm.
When they reached the forest, they walked single file between the trees. After a solid hour, they exited the forest and found themselves at the edge of a steep cliff. The four men all got on the ground, lying on their stomachs as they inched closer to the edge. Reluctantly, Sabine did the same, positioning herself on the end next to Otto. Below, the forest stretched out as far as she could see. A narrow path cut between the trees, just wide enough for two horses to ride side by side.
The five of them remained there, lying on their stomachs, no one talking, for hours. If this is what spying entailed, Sabine found it rather boring. The sun shone above them, basking her in warmth. Her eyelids became heavy, and she managed to doze off.
Otto shook her shoulder, waking her, then he pointed to the forest below them.
Sabine lifted her head and looked. At first she didn’t see anything. After a few minutes, she spotted a group traveling on the path. She squinted, trying to see better. At the front were a handful of men dressed in nondescript clothing. Behind them, walking in two lines, were dozens of children.
Fury and panic filled her. Where were these men taking these kids? She had to intervene.
Otto placed his hand on her back, keeping her low to the ground. He shook his head and motioned for her to stay quiet.
The end of the line approached, and Sabine spotted another half dozen men at the back. Once they were out of sight, no one in her group moved for several minutes. Sabine considered everything she’d seen. Nothing had indicated where those people were from or where they were going. She hadn’t heard them speaking, so she didn’t catch any particular language.
Evander suddenly stood and climbed over the side of the cliff. Sabine watched him scale down it, as if it were something he did every day. When he reached the bottom, he took off running the direction the children had gone.
“What’s he doing?” she whispered to her brother.
Otto tilted his head behind them. Sabine scooted back then stood. The others did the same. They began to make their way back through the forest. Every time Sabine tried speaking, Otto glared at her, making it clear no one was to talk.
When they reached the house, Sabine stormed inside and rounded on Otto. “Why didn’t we stop them?”
Thad and Seth removed their jackets before heading to the kitchen.
“We were outnumbered,” Otto said. “There was nothing we could do. Besides, what, exactly, did you see? Could you tell where those men were from? Or what was going on?”
“Bakley children are being kidnapped. I think it’s safe to assume those were our children.” She folded her arms, glaring at her brother.
“And the men?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted.
“They could be Lynk’s soldiers,” Otto said, putting his hands in his pockets.
“Or Carlon’s or Nisk’s.” They were in Nisk after all.
Otto nodded. “Exactly. Until we have more information, we will not act.”
“Then what’s Evander doing?” she asked, hoping he’d gone to free the children.
“Evander went after them to see what’s going on.” Otto removed his hat and ran his hand through his hair.
“It doesn’t make any sense for it to be Lynk,” she said. “I’m married to Rainer. He has no reason to force Bakley into an alliance with him since we already have one.”
“That’s why we went today,” Otto said. “To gather information. So far we know that once a week, about two dozen kids are taken north into Lynk.”
This entire ordeal made her sick to her stomach. “Those children are innocent.”
“I know.”
“I want every single one returned home.”
“That’s the plan.”
She went into the kitchen to look for something to eat. Thad and Seth were sitting at the table with a warm loaf of bread.
“Want some?” Thad asked.
She nodded.
He cut off a chunk and handed it to her.
She took it and went outside, wanting to be alone. Sitting on the top step of the porch, her jacket and hat still on, she nibbled on the bread, thinking about those children and what she could do to help them. Hours went by, and she still hadn’t managed to come up with a single idea other than confronting Rainer and demanding to know what was going on—which wouldn’t accomplish anything.
Feeling utterly useless, Sabine rubbed her forehead.
“Are you okay?”
Startled, she peered up and saw Evander approaching. She nodded.
“How long have you been out here?” he asked.
“Not long.” She shrugged.
“Your nose and ears are bright red.” He sat on the top step next to her.
She looked at him. His green eyes held a dark sadness to them. “What did you discover?” she asked.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Those were Lynk soldiers taking Bakley children north to your kingdom.”
Her kingdom. She felt sick to her stomach. “What are they doing with the children?” she asked. Since Lynk was her kingdom, she had a responsibility to do something.
“They’re using the children for manual labor.” He gazed out at the land before them. “They’re making weapons.”
“The children are?” she asked, wondering why they couldn’t use adults for that.
“Their hands are smaller, and it’s easier for them to make arrows.” Evander rubbed his face.
“And this is happening in Lynk?” She wanted to be absolutely certain. Maybe Rainer didn’t know about it.
“There are tunnels in Lynk,” he said. “And caverns. They’re in one of the larger caverns on the other side of the wall. I’m sorry.”
She wondered how Evander had gotten past the wall to discover all of this. Maybe he’d grabbed one of the soldiers and interrogated him.
The door behind them opened. “I thought I heard talking out here,” Otto said. “Why don’t the two of you come in since it’s starting to get dark.”
Evander stood, reaching his hand out to Sabine. She took it, letting him pull her to her feet.
Inside, they went to the kitchen where Thad and Seth were sitting at the table. Otto and Sabine sat on the empty bench across from them while Evander sat next to Thad and Seth.
“Any luck?” Thad asked.
Evander sighed. “I was able to confirm that we saw Lynk soldiers traveling with children from Bakley.”
“I think it’s safe to conclude that King Rainer is planning to go to war,” Thad said. “We have seen his boats filled with soldiers off the coast of Carlon. We now have proof he is stealing Bakley children, using that as a reason for Bakley to align with Lynk. He intends to take over all the land.”
This was the first Sabine had heard about the boats.
Evander stood and went to the hearth, returning a moment later with two steaming mugs filled to the brim with tea. He set one in front of Sabine.
“The point of the League is to prevent wars,” Seth pointed out. “I’m not sure how we can stop this one.”
Sabine had seen nothing in Lynk to support any of this. Although, now that she was looking at things differently, she had witnessed Rainer training with his soldiers. However, she’d assumed that was something he did all the time.
“I don’t know what this means for Bakley,” Otto said. “We already have Lynk soldiers in my kingdom. Rainer could easily take control.”
Sabine took hold of Otto’s hand, squeezing it. “I won’t let him hurt any of you.” Although she didn’t know how much power she held over Rainer, if any. Another thought occurred to her. “Where does Avoni fit into this?”
“When I was in Lynk, Rainer asked me to marry Lottie,” Evander revealed.
Then Rainer knew who Evander was.
“My guess is Rainer wants Avoni under his thumb in the same way he wants Bakley controlled,” Evander said.
“What did you tell him?” Sabine asked.
“I haven’t given him an answer yet. He simply proposed the match. I must discuss it with my father first.”
She nodded, clutching her hands together, unable to look at anyone.
“What’s the matter?” Evander asked.
She shook her head.
“You can tell him,” Otto said. “We hold no secrets here. Each of us is required to speak the truth when we meet in this house.”
Sabine took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Then she said, “Lottie arranged for Alina’s death. She’s the person responsible for killing my sister.” Lottie had to be brought to justice, not sold off in marriage to another kingdom.
“Are you certain?” Evander asked.
Someone banged on the front door. “Are we expecting anyone else?” Sabine inquired.
“The only person it could be is Anton,” Seth muttered as he got up and left the table.
Sabine looked Evander directly in the eyes. “Yes, I’m certain. I heard Lottie speaking with the Avoni assassin she hired. They were discussing his disastrous attempt to kill me and how the next time he couldn’t fail. They planted evidence in the Avoni delegation’s quarters to make it look like Avoni was responsible for Alina’s death.”
Evander’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know this?”
“I, uh…was in the Avoni rooms when they came in to plant the evidence. I overheard them.” She ducked her head.
“You did what?” Otto asked, his voice high-pitched.
“Why were you in there?” Evander asked, his voice as cool as water on a crisp fall day.
“I was searching for my sister’s killer.”
“In the Avoni delegation’s rooms?” He placed his palms flat on the table.
She chose not to answer that. “When they left, I grabbed the evidence and returned to the masquerade in search of Rainer. I wanted to tell him his sister was trying to kill me in order to take the throne. You kidnapped me before I had a chance to do anything with my newfound information.”
“What happened to the evidence?” Evander asked.
Voices came from the adjacent room.
“I don’t know. I hid it in my dress.” Either Evander had found it, or it had sunk with her dress to the bottom of the ocean.
“Did you at least have a chance to look at it?” he asked.
“I did. It was in another language, and I couldn’t read it.”
Evander cursed.
“Greetings,” Anton said as he came into the kitchen with Seth, his focus going straight to Sabine. “You have managed to create quite a stir back in Lynk,” he said as he took a seat next to her.
She figured her kidnapping would have infuriated Rainer into taking up his sword and declaring war. “I knew he’d be upset when he noticed me missing. What’s he telling people?”
“No one knows you’re gone,” Anton said. “Everyone is talking about you because Rainer announced to Lynk, and all the other kingdoms, that the two of you are married and he crowned you queen.”