Chapter 10
Sabine silently followed Evander from her room. As he led her through the compound, she didn’t pay attention to where they were going since she was lost in her thoughts. Thoughts regarding her relationship with Evander. Ever since that time he jumped on her balcony back in Lynk, she’d felt he was on her side, trying to warn her, not hurt her. Strange how she went from being mad he’d kidnapped her to understanding and trusting him. She even liked spending time with him because he made her laugh. She found herself wanting to be around him since she enjoyed his company. Craved it even.
“In here,” Evander said, holding a door open for her. “This is our war room.” As she moved past him, his hand brushed her lower back and a tingle of warmth jolted along her spine. Interesting that her body responded to him like that. He was just a friend—nothing more. Even though her marriage hadn’t been consummated yet, nothing could happen between her and Evander. And it wasn’t like she wanted something to happen. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts and wishing everything wasn’t such a jumbled mess.
Inside the middle of the square room, there was a single table. No chairs, no maps, no papers, nothing. If this was where they planned missions and wars, it didn’t feel like it since it was so empty.
Gemma entered from a side door. “I’m glad you’re both here.” She went to the empty table and stood there, waiting for Evander and Sabine to join her. Once they did, she continued, “We’ve spotted Ex on the south side of the lake. We never would have seen him had we not been specifically looking for him.”
Sabine wondered why this was called the war room and why they were standing at an empty table.
“Is Ex alone?” Evander asked.
Sabine wondered what the laws were here in Avoni with regards to killing people. She assumed Ex was allowed to hunt a target he’d been commissioned for so long as it had nothing to do with the royal family. As to whether he was allowed to assassinate a royal from another kingdom, she didn’t know—especially since she was on Avoni soil. It could change things. She suddenly wondered if she should have returned to Lynk. She shook her head. If she’d gone with Anton, she’d be dead already.
Gemma reached beneath the table and withdrew a scroll, setting it on the table and unrolling it, revealing a map of the surrounding land. A few words were scribbled on it, but Sabine didn’t recognize the language.
“Is the plan to kill Ex?” Sabine asked, staring at the map as if it held the answer.
“Yes,” Gemma said. “However, there’s more at stake than just a man’s life.”
Meaning the political ramifications that went along with killing one of their own to protect someone from Lynk, especially when an entire Avoni delegation has just been slaughtered by the king of Lynk. If anything, the king and queen of Avoni should be seeking retribution, not killing an Avoni assassin to protect an enemy. But again, Sabine didn’t know how things worked here, and these were thoughts she didn’t want to voice in case Evander changed his mind and no longer wished to help her.
“We are in a bit of a situation,” Evander muttered as he set his hands on the table, observing the map.
“That we are,” Gemma said. “You’re going to have to find a way to get rid of Ex quietly.” She folded her arms. “And I have no idea what you’re going to say to his family when they inquire. You’ll also need to deal with whomever hired him.”
The irony was that Sabine had been trying to deal with Lottie all along. The problem was that they couldn’t just get rid of Lottie since she was a member of the Lynk royal family. It would take something more creative.
“It’s my future bride,” Evander said.
“What?” Gemma asked.
“The person who hired the assassin to kill Sabine is Princess Lottie, my soon-to-be wife.”
Gemma’s eyes narrowed as she studied her brother for a minute. “Did you agree to marry her to protect Sabine?”
“No,” he replied. “I agreed to the marriage to protect Avoni. If Rainer invades the other kingdoms, I’m hoping he’ll leave us alone or at the very least, it’ll buy us time to come up with something.”
“Let me ask you this,” Gemma said. “What’s Lottie’s goal? To kill her brother and take the throne?”
“No,” Sabine answered. “Lottie wants the throne, but she’s not going to kill Rainer to get it. She’s trying to get rid of me so he loses the throne by not producing a child by the time he turns twenty-five.” Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Evander flinch. “However, now that I’m married to Rainer, she can’t have me killed.”
“But isn’t that exactly what she’s doing?” Evander asked.
“She hired someone to take care of it for her so she can keep her hands clean.” She recalled what she’d heard back in Lynk. “He said he’d do it in such a way that blamed Avoni for my death and that it wouldn’t be traced back to Lottie.” Thinking over the conversation, she wasn’t sure it was Ex Lottie had been talking to. It could have been someone from Lynk.
Evander tapped the map, examining it as if it held all the answers he sought. “This person could have hired Ex so it would be traced to Avoni.” He leaned over the map. “I think we should take Ex out. We hide the body so no one finds out. That will buy Sabine time to make it out of Avoni safely and…return home.” He glanced up at Sabine. “But you still won’t be safe. If Lottie hired someone to orchestrate it all, you’re still going to be in danger.”
She nodded, wondering how they could stop it for good since marrying Rainer hadn’t done the trick.
“I’ll take care of Ex tonight,” Evander said. “I want to do it before he leaves the area or gathers reinforcements. Then Sabine and I will leave in a day or two.”
“Where will you go?” Gemma asked.
“I’ll escort her back to Lynk.”
Sabine pinched the bridge of her nose. She was in way over her head. Staying alive in Lynk would be infinitely more difficult since she didn’t know who Lottie had doing her dirty work. At least here they knew Ex was after her, and she had Evander to protect her. In Lynk, she’d be all alone.
The two siblings kept staring at one another. Sabine got the impression there was more going on between them than she was privy to.
“What about the kidnapped Bakley children?” she asked, wondering how she could live with a man who was capable of such things.
“When you return, discuss the matter with Rainer. Hopefully, he will release them as a gesture of goodwill,” Gemma answered.
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Sometimes you have to choose the lesser of two evils,” Gemma said, her focus returning to the map before them on the table. “Back to Ex.” She pointed to the map. “What are you thinking?”
“I can’t involve the family,” Evander replied. “I’ll have to deal with him on my own.”
Cold terror filled Sabine. “I don’t think that wise. What if something happens to you? I can’t let that happen on my account.”
“The second Evander stole you,” Gemma said, “he set this in motion. He must finish it.”
It seemed everyone knew he’d kidnapped her. “The assassin would be after me regardless of whether Evander took me or not. He doesn’t need to be solely responsible for keeping me safe. Let me help.”
“No,” Gemma and Evander said at the same time.
“You’ll stay here where it’s safe,” Evander said.
“And my brother brought you into Avoni,” Gemma said. “He is responsible for your wellbeing. If something happens to you here, Avoni will pay the price.”
It didn’t seem fair since the person responsible for her situation was Lottie.
“We’re both trained, and it will be an equal matchup,” Evander mused.
“Which is why it’s important you have a plan,” Gemma said. “The sooner you face him, the better. Try and have the element of surprise.”
“I agree,” he mumbled, observing the map.
“Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea?” Sabine asked.
They both looked at her. “Yes,” they answered together.
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t want Evander hurt. I’d rather you take a unit of men with you.”
“He can’t involve the family, our assassins, the sentries, or anyone else for that matter,” Gemma said. “He has to do this alone and quietly. No one can know.” She looked at her brother. “You’ll have to clean this one up as well.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want you to put your life at risk for me,” Sabine said, clutching onto his arm. “If something happens to you, I’ll never forgive myself.”
He turned and faced her, his eyes intense with emotion. “I have to return you to Lynk,” he said. “Agreed?”
She nodded.
“The only way I can do that is without Ex tracking us or sending more men after you. As my parents so bluntly stated, I put you in this mess, I must fix it. If I’d left you at the Lynk palace, you’d be protected. I’ve put you in danger. This is my fault, and I’ll make it right.”
She slid her hand down his arm to his hand. Twining her fingers with his, she squeezed. “I can help.”
“Yes, you can,” he answered. “I need you to stay in your room where I know you’ll be safe. I can’t deal with Ex if I’m worried about you.”
That wasn’t the answer she wanted.
Gemma cleared her throat. “I need to return to my unit,” she said. “I’ll make sure everyone is busy between three to four in the morning. That’s your window to enact your plan. If you need anything else from me, you know where to find me.”
“Thank you,” Evander replied.
Gemma exited the room.
Evander peered down at their joined hands.
“This plan is too dangerous,” Sabine whispered. She’d already lost her sister to an assassin and couldn’t stand the thought of losing another person she cared for.
“I have to.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “It’s what I’m trained to do.”
She took hold of his other hand as well, as if she could keep him there forever. “Please don’t go alone.”
The corners of his lips rose. “Have you so little faith in me?”
Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t lose you.” She leaned back so she could see him better.
“Sabine.” His green eyes bore into her as he let go of her hand and reached up, cupping her cheek. “Let me do this for you.” He ran his thumb over her bottom lip, sending a jolt of warmth through her.
“It’s too dangerous,” she insisted, grabbing hold of his upper arms, trying to hold him in place.
He slid his hand from her cheek to the back of her head. His eyes kept searching hers. “Have you ever wanted something so badly but knew you could never have it?” he whispered.
“Yes.” She swallowed, staring at his lips. She’d never before felt an intense desire to kiss a man because of their connection. She’d only done so for fun, curiosity, or to even make her brothers mad. But this, this was something else entirely. She wanted to kiss Evander. Leaning toward him, she placed her lips next to his right ear and whispered, “I want something that I can never have.” She squeezed her eyes shut then forced herself to move back, away from him.
Only he didn’t let go. He was staring at her lips. His hands now cradled either side of her head, just below her ears, holding her in place. He leaned forward, inches from her.
She moved her hands to his waist.
Then, ever so gently, he kissed the edge of her lips. It was tender, careful, and not nearly enough. If something happened to him, this would be their last time together. She wanted him to know what he meant to her. Not having the words, she turned her head, leaning into his kiss and deepening it.
Her body felt as if it had been engulfed in flames. The smell of Evander filled her. His lips moved over hers but it still wasn’t enough. She parted her lips, craving more of him. His tongue slid into her mouth, touching hers. All thoughts escaped her as she only felt this man in her arms. His right hand slid to her waist, up under her shirt, pressing against her back.
And then he leaned away, his eyes widening. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his chest heaving up and down.
She didn’t want him to stop. Clutching onto him, she tried pulling him closer.
He took a step back, breaking their contact. “I didn’t realize I…” He ran a hand over his face.
The reality of the situation came crashing down upon Sabine. She was married to the king of Lynk and in Avoni kissing the prince who was engaged to her husband’s sister. If anyone found out they’d kissed, she could be killed for treason. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. This was her fault. She never should have acted on her feelings for Evander. Especially when she didn’t fully understand them herself.
“No,” he responded. “I’m sorry. This is my fault, not yours.”
“I think we’re both complicit.” She turned, facing away from him, trying to regain her wits. She couldn’t afford to act on her own feelings, wants, or desires. It had just been the thought of something happening to him that had scared her. With her hands on her hips, she forced herself to walk a few feet away from him, still not daring to look at his face. She’d just thrown herself at him like a harlot.
“Sabine,” Evander said, his voice soft and gentle. “I?—”
She couldn’t bear to hear him explain away what had just happened between them. When she was alone she would examine it, think about it, and feel it. Right now, she needed to lock it away before it became overwhelming and she did something stupid. “No,” she said, interrupting him. “I just…do you ever wish you could go back and redo something in your life?”
“All the time.” He sighed. “But I wouldn’t take back that kiss,” he whispered.
She pinched her eyes shut, forcing herself to ignore his comment. She couldn’t let it affect her right now. She’d digest it later, when she wasn’t standing in front of him. Wanting—needing—to change the focus of their conversation, she said, “I would go back and not take my sister’s place.” She wouldn’t have married Rainer.
“Don’t you want revenge?” he asked.
“I do. But I’m not sure I went about the right way of getting it.” And it seemed all she’d done was get herself into a situation where she could very well end up dead. She’d been dealt an awful hand and now she had to play it, regardless of what she wanted.
“I may be able to help you there,” he mumbled. “Especially if I marry Lottie.”
“I don’t think you can assassinate your future wife.” Even though Sabine might want her dead. “And what if she catches wind? She might try to kill you.”
He chuckled. “I’m a trained assassin. Have a little faith.” He shook his head.
Sabine folded her arms, wanting to shield herself from this dangerous man before her. She almost laughed at the irony. A couple weeks ago, the danger was from him being an assassin. Now, the danger lie in the way he made her feel when she was near him. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Speaking of which,” she said, “do you still plan on trying to kill Ex tonight?”
He ran a hand over his face before folding his arms, mimicking her stance. “No. The plan is to kill him tonight. There’s no trying here.”
Part of her wished she could help. However, she understood why she couldn’t. In order to best the assassin, it would take a man of equal or better skill. “Does that mean we’ll leave tomorrow?”
“No,” Evander said. “We’ll leave the day after. I need to gather provisions and pack.” He ran his hand through his hair.
“Will we have time for some more training?” She wanted to learn a few more things before they set out. She didn’t know when she’d ever have another opportunity to be trained by someone like him. While Rainer had shown her some physical maneuvers, he hadn’t once hinted at teaching her techniques like stealth, listening, smelling, or any of the things an assassin did. Things that could not only save her life, but allow her to snoop and be invisible in a palace full of busybodies.
The door opened, and King Kai entered. Evander didn’t respond and instead, greeted his father.
“I’d hoped to find you here,” Kai said.
“I’m actually leaving in order to prepare for my mission tonight,” Evander said.
“I didn’t come here for you,” the king replied. “I must speak with Queen Sabine.”
Evander glanced at her. “Very well. I’ll leave the two of you alone.” He bowed his head before departing from the room.
Sabine turned to face King Kai, not knowing if she should say anything or wait for him to speak.
“Let’s take a walk,” he said, tilting his head toward the door. “This room usually puts me in a bad mood since when I’m in here, it means I’m planning someone’s death or a battle.”
Sabine smiled. “I can understand that.” She followed him from the room, wondering how often the room was used considering this kingdom preferred stealth, not outright fighting. Besides, the surrounding lands hadn’t seen a war in decades. She supposed the League was doing its job then.
Kai clasped his hands behind his back, walking at a slow, leisurely pace.
“The grounds here are beautiful,” Sabine said as she came to walk alongside him.
“That they are.”
A light rain fell. He led her across a single pathway hovering just above the water, like a bridge but without a railing. It took them to the center of the lake to a squared platform with a roof. Each corner post had curtains tied to it that could be slid closed, giving the illusion of privacy. On the platform were a handful of sofas and a low table in the center.
“I love to be outdoors,” Kai explained. “Since it rains so often here, I had this built so I can be outside and not get wet.” He smiled and sat on one of the sofas.
Sabine sat across from him. “I assume there’s something you wish to discuss with me,” she said, noting they had no guards and no one was around. Due to the platform’s positioning in the middle of the lake, no one could overhear their conversation. Folding her hands on her lap, she knew she needed to tread carefully—he’d brought her here for a reason.
He crossed his legs, watching her. “Firstly, I’d like to apologize for my son kidnapping you. He should not have done so. I want to be clear—he did that on his own. He wasn’t even supposed to be a part of the delegation.”
“I understand,” she said carefully. While she didn’t mind her current predicament, she was married to Rainer and had to return to Lynk. The situation would need to be handled delicately so as not to add more problems to the ones already mounting.
“I want your assurance that you will not seek retribution,” Kai said.
Sabine didn’t know what authority she had to make such promises. While she was the queen of Lynk, women seemed to have little power there, and she had no idea if Rainer would respect any deals she made without his knowledge. “As far as I’m concerned, your son escorted me to meet my brother. I was not taken against my will.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“No, I will not seek retribution, but I can’t speak for my husband.” She decided to be as honest as possible. This man sitting before her was not only a king, but an assassin. If she didn’t agree to his terms, he very well might never let her leave here alive.
He nodded, as if he’d expected that response.
“I assume once Evander marries Lottie, that will smooth things over between Lynk and Avoni,” she added. “But again, I have no intention of telling anyone I was kidnapped. In my mind, I wasn’t.”
He nodded. “My wife got it out of you in under fifteen minutes.”
He had a point.
“You should know, I will protect my kingdom,” Kai said, his voice low but forceful. “Even if it means fighting against Lynk.”
“Your wife told me what happened…about the ship.” She had to look down at her hands. Even though she was not responsible for the Avoni delegation’s deaths, she was married to the man who’d ordered the attack.
“Then you understand that once you leave my home,” he raised his hands to indicate the palace, “you will be my enemy.”
Tears filled her eyes. She looked up at King Kai and nodded. “It doesn’t have to be that way.”
“King Rainer is my enemy. You are his wife. Therefore, you are my enemy.”
“I understand.” Sabine recalled the night of the masquerade and assuming the party was to keep the Avoni people occupied while Rainer had their ship searched. However, now she understood it was so he could make the holes and plant the poison to kill them.
Kai drummed his fingers on his leg.
“Why don’t you just send an assassin after Rainer?” she asked, genuinely curious.
“That would break the treaty,” he said. “And I refuse to go against the League. It has kept us free from war for decades. I will be honorable and abide by it. If Rainer chooses not to, that’s on him.”
“And if he breaks it, what happens then?” she asked.
“The other kingdoms will band together to fight him. He will be stripped of his crown.”
“Let me ask you this,” she said, trying to sound contemplative and not combative. “Would the other kingdoms be a threat to Lynk?” Rainer’s soldiers were well trained. Bakley barely had an army. She knew Avoni didn’t have a large standing army but rather assassins. She didn’t know the state of Carlon or Nisk.
“That is something you should know. I am neither your ally nor your educator.” He looked away from her, gazing out at the lake. “Since it seems you are being honest with me, I’d like to ask you a question.” His attention returned to Sabine. “What, precisely, is your relationship with my son?”
“Why do you ask?” she countered, her heart beating loudly as anxiety crept in. She couldn’t help but think he might have seen them kiss before he entered the room. The thought sent a shard of terror through her.
“If I’m questioning it, I’m sure your husband will as well.”
She knew it was going to be an issue—especially since she’d traveled alone with Evander. “We are friends. Nothing more.” She made sure to maintain eye contact as she spoke so he’d believe her. “My husband will thank your son for keeping me alive.” She hoped.
“When we were looking for a suitable match for Evander, we ruled you out.”
His words felt like a slap to her face. Evander had said something about her being considered too wild. After being here and seeing how women were treated equal to men, she didn’t know how they could have seen her as such a liability. Granted, if women had been subservient, then she could understand. A small part of her felt regret. She would have liked to live here.
“I knew my son would grow attached to someone like you,” Kai revealed.
Shock jolted through Sabine. “What do you mean someone like me?” Maybe it was because she didn’t know how to fight or protect herself properly, and the king didn’t want his son attached to such a liability.
“Love makes people do foolish things. If Evander had married you, he’d lose his ability to think logically and do what needed to be done to strengthen this family.”
Sabine had always thought the exact opposite. Love made people strong, not weak. She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to decide how to respond. She wanted to argue with him that love was not a hindrance and that it should be celebrated. However, she honestly didn’t know. She’d only ever loved her family and had never formed an attachment to a man. All of her dalliances had been just that—simple fun for the sake of entertainment. Nothing serious. She decided not to argue with him. “Then it’s a good thing I didn’t marry your son.”
“Yes,” he replied. “Though I’m not sure I prefer Lottie.”
“And why is that?”
“She’s untrustworthy.”
“That tends to be the case with those you don’t know or love.”
He smiled. “I can see why my son likes you.”
“And I do like him. We are friends—but that is all. I can assure you of that. I am married to King Rainer.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Because if there was something untoward going on between the two of you, King Rainer would make it his mission to level my kingdom to the ground.”
“While I’m flattered you believe that, and I’m equally flattered you believe your son is capable of loving someone like me, you are mistaken. My husband married me for a political alliance. He wouldn’t attack your kingdom on my account.”
Kai smiled and leaned forward. “You are Rainer’s property, and he isn’t one to share. He is just like his father.” Kai stood. “After all, why do you think he killed my delegation?”
Everything he’d said grated on her nerves. First, she hated the idea that she was a man’s property. When she’d been at the Lynk palace, that was how Rainer made her feel. He wanted her to look and dress the part, but he didn’t want her to be his partner or share the burden of ruling. And then for Kai to compare Rainer to his father was equally irritating. She’d found the late queen’s journal detailing how her husband, Rainer’s father, had hit and abused her. It was almost like Kai knew that somehow.
She was still trying to figure out why Rainer had killed the delegation. The only thing she could think of was that he blamed someone in Avoni for murdering Alina. While he knew Lottie was responsible for hiring the assassin, Rainer had to have figured out that the assassin came from Avoni. However, she thought his actions were extreme. The members of the delegation had been innocent. She clutched her hands together, wanting to push Kai on the matter without upsetting him. She didn’t want to find herself dead and tossed into the lake, becoming food for the fish.
Kai went over to the side table, pouring himself a drink. He didn’t ask if Sabine wanted anything. He took a sip and sat back down. “Did you know I not only sent a delegation to Lynk, but I also sent a unit of men?”
She’d wondered why they’d arrived on such a large ship. “No, I didn’t know that. Why did you send so many people?”
“I heard accusations that Avoni is responsible for taking children from Bakley. I wanted to prove our innocence.” He took another sip. “While the delegation was at the palace, my unit searched Lynk for the children.” He eyed her. “Before my men could return and report back to me, Rainer blew up my ship and my delegation. But my men, they’re stuck in the kingdom. I don’t know if they’ve been taken, if they’re hiding, or if Rainer even knows they’re there. I’ve had zero communication.” He finished his drink. “So you see, if Rainer finds my men in his kingdom, it would be seen as an attack. He would then be justified to strike against me. He’d have everything he needed to go to war. Especially—especially—if he knew you’d been kidnapped and were in Avoni.”
“The League would have to side with him,” she said, everything falling into place.
“Exactly. The League would see his actions as justified.”
Sabine leaned forward, sliding her hands into her hair and gripping her head.
She heard movement and saw the king’s boots before her. She dared not look up at him.
“And now I hear my son is off killing one of his own countryman for you.”
It wasn’t like that. He was killing an assassin. A bad, evil person. A man who’d been hunting her.
“I hope you don’t get my son killed.” He left, the sound of his steps the only thing she could hear above the soft patter of falling rain.