Chapter 14
Markis stood in the middle of the doorway, his chest heaving. “Queen Sabine.” He knelt on the floor, bowing his head, a handful of Avoni guards and two Bakley soldiers standing behind him with weapons drawn.
“Do either of you know him?” Evander demanded with a knife in hand.
“Yes. Everyone, put your weapons away. This is Lieutenant Markis Belle, my personal guard.” Sabine went over to Markis. “Stand.” He did as she commanded. “It’s good to see you.”
The guards and soldiers behind him all lowered their weapons and took a step back.
“I’ve been searching everywhere for you,” Markis mumbled. He took a deep breath before shifting his focus to Evander. “You.” He lunged for Evander, only Sabine stepped in front of him, blocking him.
“Stop,” she said.
“But this man kidnapped you,” Markis said, his eyes alight with fury.
“He did not,” she said loud enough for everyone to hear. “An assassin was after me. Prince Evander has kept me alive.”
Markis’s eyes narrowed, as if he didn’t believe her. However, he kept his mouth shut and didn’t argue.
Sabine held his gaze. “We have a lot to discuss. Let me finish up with Prince Evander and Prince Otto. I will meet you in the receiving room in a few minutes.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Markis bowed and left the room.
An Avoni guard stepped forward. “Your Highness?” He looked at Evander.
“Give Lieutenant Markis clearance,” he said, waving his hand.
The man bowed.
Sabine shut the door then turned to face Evander and Otto. When neither said anything, she decided to speak. “You have guards here?” she said to her brother.
“Yes. A dozen came with me.”
She nodded. It made sense he’d have his own protection—especially in a foreign kingdom.
“Those two used to work with Markis,” he added, as if that explained why Markis hadn’t been killed on sight.
“I thought he looked familiar,” Evander said as he casually tossed his knife, catching it by the hilt. “I remember him following you around the Lynk palace.” He tossed the knife again.
“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” Sabine asked. She wanted to meet with Markis to see the state of things with Rainer.
Evander shrugged. “Not that I can think of.”
“I have a few League issues to discuss with you,” Otto said. “If you don’t mind us meeting privately.”
Evander sat in a chair, putting his weapon away. “Not at all.”
Sabine excused herself and went into the receiving room where she spotted Markis conversing with the two Bakley soldiers off to the side. She had to refrain from running over and hugging him.
The three men straightened and faced Sabine.
“It is good to see you, Lieutenant Markis,” she said by way of greeting. She knew he wanted to speak freely with her. However, she didn’t know if there was a place they could talk without being overheard. She motioned toward the middle of the room, and the two of them moved that way, leaving behind the Bakley soldiers.
Sabine didn’t feel like sitting on the sofa since she’d been stuck in a boat for so long. Instead, she stood near the window, looking outside. The place was surrounded by Avoni guards. She turned to face Markis. “My brother is escorting me back to Lynk. We leave tomorrow.”
Markis nodded. “I will accompany you both.” He watched her, his eyes scanning her from head to toe, as if looking for injuries.
“I’m fine,” she said, her voice low, hoping that would be enough to satisfy him for now. “How are things back in Lynk?”
“A conversation for another time,” he whispered, folding his hands behind his back.
Sabine noticed his hair had grown longer and his face now sported a short beard. It made him look older. His skin also appeared to be tanner than the last time she’d seen him.
The side door opened, and Evander and Otto exited the room, joining them.
“Has your business concluded?” she asked, wondering what her brother wanted to discuss with Evander without her present. She doubted it was League business, but perhaps it was.
“Yes,” Otto replied. “Lieutenant Markis, if you’ll join me, I’d like to plan our journey to Lynk.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“And you two,” Otto said to the Bakley soldiers, “you’re with me.” The four of them headed upstairs.
Sabine went over and sat on the sofa.
Evander sat opposite her, crossing his legs and stretching his arms out along the back of the sofa. “You’re leaving tomorrow.” It was a statement and not a question.
“I am. Thank you for showing me your beautiful kingdom and keeping me alive. Is there anything I should relay to my husband, King Rainer, on your behalf?” She clasped her hands together, unable to believe she was leaving so soon. Unable to believe she had to behave so formally around Evander.
“You can tell him Avoni didn’t kidnap the kids.” He tilted his head back as he stared at the ceiling. “And I didn’t keep you alive for his benefit.”
“I will relay that.”
He eyed her. “And here I thought I was the one who’d be most transformed,” he mumbled so only she could hear.
His words sent a dagger straight to her heart. She didn’t know what he wanted or expected from her. He was the one who said they needed to play their respective parts, and she was doing what needed to be done.
“How are you handling this so well?” he whispered.
At that, she had to squeeze her hands together. She couldn’t even look him in the eyes. If she did, she’d tear up.
“You’re leaving tomorrow,” he whispered.
“We both knew this was coming.” And while she enjoyed being with Evander, she had a job to do and responsibilities. She had to put that first, above her own wants and desires. She finally looked at him.
His bright green eyes were intense with emotion. “You’re a much better person than me. I want to snatch you away for good.”
“Evander,” she chided him. They couldn’t afford for anyone to overhear them. They were on dangerous grounds.
He leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs. “You going back to him…the thought of him touching you…it makes me ill.”
His words mirrored how she felt when thinking of him and Lottie together.
“I don’t think I can do this.” He shook his head.
“Listen to me,” she hissed. “We don’t have any other options. You can, and you will, do this. Now pull it together. I have a plan.” Sabine was barely keeping it together. If Evander started to question her returning, if he wavered, she feared she would as well.
“I want to know what your plan is,” he said. “To see if it’s even feasible.”
She wanted to tell him, but she couldn’t. No one could know. “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you.”
He ran his hands through his hair. “Sabine. My family…we have a plan in place as well.”
He’d mentioned that before. There was something about his statement that concerned her. “How do I fit into your family’s plan?”
“You’re the wife of our enemy,” he said plainly. Matter-of-factly.
That had been what she expected. Avoni had a plan, and that plan might very well be the end of her.
“How much time do I have?” She understood they’d want retribution for the delegation members who’d been killed.
“Not much.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “My family will act if Rainer makes a move against us or any other kingdom. We won’t let it get out of control. And if we act against him, that means we act against you.”
She understood. “I assumed when he blew up the ship that was acting against your kingdom.” She was surprised they hadn’t done something already. But they did have a unit of men in Lynk. Perhaps they didn’t want to do anything until they knew what was going on with them first.
“It definitely got our attention. But since I technically kidnapped you, we’re even.”
“Ah.” Things were starting to make sense now. “My plan is going to work,” she said, trying to sound reassuring though she didn’t feel it.
“Even if it does, you’re still his wife.”
Since she hadn’t consummated her marriage yet, she could get out of being his wife. However, in order to maintain peace between the kingdoms, she needed to be the queen of Lynk. It was the only way to save countless lives.
“If he hurts you, I’ll never forgive myself for letting you go back to him.”
“You’re not letting me, I’m choosing to go.”
“I just need to stop picturing you with him.” He laced his fingers through his hair.
“Trust me to fix this.”
“I am not used to trusting anyone.”
She understood that. But if he wanted any sort of relationship with her in the future, he had to learn to trust her.
* * *
That night after supper, Sabine asked Markis to escort her out behind the inn where there was a small garden. She wanted to be alone to get her thoughts in order. Standing in the middle of a pathway through the garden, she stared up at the clouds. She hadn’t seen the stars or moon in days, and she missed them.
“I’m surprised you want to be out here since it’s so cold.”
A light mist began falling, but Sabine barely noticed it. “I didn’t want to be inside.” Enclosed. Where people could eavesdrop. She needed to at least feel like she had some freedom.
“Are you ready to tell me what really happened?” he asked, his voice low.
“No.” She had other things on her mind that she needed to deal with.
“If he hurt you in any way, I need to know.”
She looked Markis directly in the eyes so he would know she told the truth. “He did not hurt me.”
He rubbed a hand over his face.
“How did you find me?” she asked. He’d come separately from Otto, so he hadn’t discovered her location that way.
“When Rainer discovered you were missing, he sent a dozen soldiers to find you. Anton said something about knowing where you were, so Rainer had him go look as well. That’s when Rainer told me if I didn’t return with you, he would skin me alive and send my body to my wife.”
That seemed rather extreme. “Why did he think you could find me?”
“He didn’t know if you’d been kidnapped, if you’d run away, or what had happened to you. He thought maybe you’d confided in me or if you had run away, I might know where you’d gone. When I told him I didn’t know either of those things, he threatened me. So I left and have been searching for you ever since.”
Guilt filled her. She hadn’t once stopped to think about how her disappearance could have affected Markis. “Did you get my letter that I sent with Anton?”
“I did not.”
She nodded, not at all surprised. “I want you to return to Bakley. Go be with your wife. Otto will smooth things over with Rainer when we get there.” She folded her arms, not liking the idea of being alone in Lynk. But she couldn’t put Markis’s life at risk like that—it wasn’t fair.
“I can’t,” Markis said. “King Rainer ordered me to return with you.”
Duty and honor were important to Markis, and she commended him for it. “Then after we return, I will request you be released. You will no longer be my guard, and you can return home.”
“Is that what you truly want?” he asked.
No. “Your place is in Bakley. With your family.”
He watched her for a long, silent minute before saying, “You’ve changed.”
“I’ve grown up.” She’d had no choice.
“I can remain with you in Lynk,” he insisted. “I don’t want to just leave you there unprotected.”
While she knew she’d have guards, she understood what he was saying. “How about we wait and see what things look like when we return?”
“I think that’s wise.” Markis glanced at something behind Sabine.
She twisted, following his line of sight. Evander had just exited the inn and was heading toward them.
“Am I interrupting?” Evander asked, stopping a few feet away.
Just the sound of his voice made her warm inside. “No,” Sabine responded. “Did you need something?” She kicked the toe of her shoe into the ground, not sure how to act around this man out here under the cover of darkness. Her assassin-pirate-prince.
“I…ah…just wanted to make sure your accommodations are adequate.” He cleared his throat.
Markis cursed. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he mumbled.
“What’s the matter?” she asked. Evander was being polite. That was acceptable, wasn’t it?
“I should have seen it before,” Markis muttered, shaking his head.
She had no idea what he meant by that.
“If I can tell the two of you have feelings for one another, Rainer will be able to as well.” Markis folded his arms.
“There’s nothing going on between us,” she insisted, looking at Evander for help.
“How could you tell?” Evander asked.
Markis looked from Sabine to Evander and then back again. “It’s the way you two can’t keep your eyes off each other,” he said gently. “I suggest the two of you try not to be in the same room together. At least not when anyone else is around.” He looked pointedly at her before leaving them alone in the garden.
Sabine assumed he’d be waiting for her just inside the door.
“He’s right,” Evander said, sliding his hands in his pockets. “It’s becoming nearly impossible to keep my wits around you.”
“I didn’t realize you had any wits to keep in the first place,” she said, teasing him, trying to lighten the mood.
“Must you joke about my feelings for you?” he said, moving closer to her.
“If I don’t joke, I’ll cry.” A true admission.
Evander moved even closer, his toes almost skimming hers. As close as they could be without touching. “You’re leaving tomorrow,” he whispered.
“That’s the plan.” It felt as if a hole had appeared in her chest.
“I’m going to miss you.”
“And I you.”
“Sabine, there are some things I want to tell you.” His green eyes appeared unusually dark tonight.
“But let me guess, you can’t?”
He nodded.
Unfortunately, she understood. She had things she was keeping from him as well.
“I want you to know—no matter what happens—my feelings for you are real. Regardless of what you hear or what people tell you when you return to Lynk. Understand?”
“Okay.” She had a feeling his family’s plan was already in motion. If he told her what it was, when she returned to Lynk and discovered what was going on, she wouldn’t have the right reaction. Her not knowing was better. But it didn’t mean she had to like it.
“I wish I had something to give you, like a token, for you to remember me by. Something for you to hold on to when times get rough.” He reached out to take hold of her hand.
Sabine took a step back, away from him. “I have memories of our time together.” Her eyes filled with tears. And then because she had to, she said, “We shouldn’t be out here alone like this. My accommodations are sufficient. Thank you for checking on me.”
He closed his eyes and nodded. “Excellent.” He turned and left her alone in the garden.
The stillness of the night surrounded her. Taking a slow breath, she tried to rein in her emotions. After a few minutes, she called out for Markis who immediately appeared from the doorway. She asked him to escort her to her room for the night.
* * *
Sabine stood in the receiving room, Otto at her side. Markis and the two additional Bakley guards were behind them.
“Queen Sabine, Prince Otto, my guards will accompany you to the Avoni border,” Evander said, his focus solely on Sabine. “Thank you for gracing my kingdom with your presence.” He bowed then left the room.
And just like that, he was gone. The hole in Sabine’s chest expanded. She had to bite her tongue to ensure she didn’t tear up or do something stupid. Evander meant nothing to her. “Brother,” she turned to Otto. “Shall we be on our way?”
“Yes.” He held out his arm for her to take.
She slid her fingers around his proffered arm, and the two of them exited the inn. “Are we taking one of the smaller boats to the ship?” she asked, realizing she didn’t know where he’d docked.
“No. We’ll travel by carriage the two miles to where the vessel is.”
“They don’t have horses in Avoni.”
He patted her hand. “I know.”
Without horses, Sabine had no idea how they’d take a carriage.
Four men rounded the building carrying what appeared to be a wooden bench with a back, similar to a sofa, with two poles sticking out on each side. The four men stopped before Sabine, setting it on the walkway.
Otto took hold of her elbow, escorting her toward the so-called carriage.
“I would rather walk,” she hissed. “That doesn’t look safe.”
“Just get in,” Otto muttered. “I don’t have the energy to argue with you right now.”
With so many Avoni guards around, Sabine didn’t want to offend anyone or appear ungrateful—perpetuating the rumors about her upbringing—so she gracefully sat on the wooden sofa.
Markis and the two Bakley soldiers stepped behind the carriage.
Once her and Otto were situated, the four men each took hold of a pole, lifting the sofa-turned-carriage. The Avoni guards surrounded them, then they started running. The motion was jarring and not at all comfortable. Sabine feared she’d bounce right off the bench and would land on the ground. She gripped the seat, trying to remain in place.
“Two miles?” she asked, not sure how she would handle this for that long.
“Give or take.” Otto shrugged.
It was difficult to keep her head forward and not look back. But she couldn’t—she had to focus on the path in front of her, ignoring the growing hole in her chest and the empty feeling coursing through her body. Evander was no longer part of her life. “Why aren’t we taking the canal to the ship?” she asked, trying to distract herself.
“I was told something about this way being faster.” Otto shrugged.
The Avoni guards led them to a well-traveled road that skirted around the city. When people saw them, they immediately stepped aside, letting them pass. When they reached the next town, they headed straight to a large port containing hundreds and hundreds of docks filled with boats of varying sizes. Sabine had never seen a port so large before.
They stopped before a massive ship with the flag of Bakley raised and flapping in the wind. The men set the bench down, and Sabine and Otto got off. Markis immediately stepped to her side, taking her arm and escorting her to the gangplank. She stepped on it, carefully walking across with Markis right behind her. A couple dozen Bakley soldiers were onboard, waiting for them, standing at attention. One reached forward, helping Sabine step onto the ship.
This was by far the largest vessel that she had ever been on—at least three times the size of Evander’s boat.
“Let’s get out of here,” Otto said once he boarded. He started barking out commands.
Sabine moved to the front of the ship, wanting to get out of the way as sails were hoisted, soldiers hurried about the deck, and the anchor was raised. The boat moved away from the dock. They traveled out of the port and into Skyfall River.
Otto joined her at the front of the ship.
“Are we sailing north straight to Lynk?” she asked.
“That’s the plan.”
Which meant they wouldn’t be stopping by Bakley first as she’d hoped. She missed her family terribly and wished she could see them.
“Everything all right?” Otto asked.
She nodded. “I just wanted to make sure we’re staying in Skyfall River where the water is calmer rather than going around, out into the open ocean.” At least this way she wouldn’t get seasick.
“We’re going this way since it’s the fastest route.”
The wind blew her hair, so she quickly braided it to get it out of her eyes.
“I have a few things to attend to. There’s a room for you below deck.” Otto rubbed her back before going to speak with one of the soldiers.
Her chest tightened and her eyes stung, but she refused to cry. Instead of thinking about Evander, she watched the other ships as they passed by. Several were stacked with supplies, probably traveling from port to port selling goods, others had large nets for catching fish.
She was not going to cry.
Evander was just a man whom she happened to have feelings for. But it didn’t matter. She was married and had a job to do. Just because she’d left him didn’t mean she needed to cry over it. Just because her life wasn’t what she wanted it to be didn’t mean she had to be sad about it. She was a queen. By all appearances, she had it all. Crying meant she was a spoiled brat. She would not—could not—be that person. Her sister would be disappointed in her if she gave in to her emotions like that.
Otto joined her again, this time placing a cape over her shoulders. “Is there anything else you need to tell me?” he asked, his voice low.
“I’m worried about what’s going to happen when I return to Lynk,” she admitted.
He rested his arms on the railing, looking out at the water. “The Sabine I know would never cower.” He peered at her, eyebrows raised. “So whatever happens, you must be strong and not show weakness or an ounce of fright.”
She nodded, wishing it were that easy. “Who do you believe kidnapped the children?” she asked.
He shrugged. “It’s hard to say. We saw Lynk soldiers traveling with the Bakley children. It makes sense Rainer is responsible for kidnapping them. However, his explanation about having found them and his soldiers escorting them to safety also makes sense.”
“Yes, but given everything else—his ships spotted off the coast of Carlon and the rumors about him preparing to invade other kingdoms, what do you think?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think. What matters is keeping the peace between all kingdoms. You need to do whatever you can to make sure that happens.”
“You’re right.” She took a deep breath. She would not back down. She was the queen of Lynk and would act like it. For far too long, she’d allowed Rainer to dictate how their relationship went. Well, no more. She lifted her chin.
“There she is.” Otto smiled.
* * *
Sabine found that she did not care to be below deck for long periods of time. Other than eating and sleeping, she spent most of her time on deck, watching the scenery and enjoying the sun for the first time in what felt like weeks.
A few of the soldiers had shoved some crates together for her to use as a chair. She was sitting there when an eerie feeling came over her, making the hairs on her arms rise. The nearby coastline changed from sandy beaches and ports to tall, rocky cliffs. Squinting, she caught sight of the imposing wall that separated the kingdom of Lynk from Carlon and Nisk to the south of it.
The ship sailed past the wall. Waves near the cliffs crashed against the rocks, revealing just how rough the waters were. It would be a death sentence to sail too close as any boat would be smashed to pieces. Now she understood why the wall hadn’t been built along the river—there was no need with the cliffs serving as a natural barrier.
Sabine recalled the first time she saw the wall and how scared she’d been. There was no reason for her to be frightened now. Lynk was her kingdom. Her home.
Looking the other direction, toward Avoni, she spotted the bay she’d sailed in with Evander when they’d stopped at the port to fix his boat. That felt like a lifetime ago. Today, several large ships blocked the mouth of the bay. Each one had the same flag raised. A flag she recognized.
Otto joined her.
“Those ships are from Lynk,” she said as she stood, going over to the railing to get a better view.
“I was afraid something like this might happen,” he murmured as he joined her.
The sound of a horn blasted through the air, making Sabine jump. One of the Lynk ships started moving directly toward them.
“Here we go,” Otto said. “Are you ready?”
Her heart raced. “Who do you think is on board?”
“Lynk soldiers.” He folded his arms, observing the nearing ship. “I need to speak with my men.”
These soldiers were probably out looking for her. They might even insist she return with them. “What do you think is going to happen?”
Otto shrugged. “I’m not sure. But remember, you’re their queen. Act like it.”
He was right. These Lynk soldiers couldn’t tell her what to do. They were her subjects. It was time she mustered her strength and acted queenly.
When the Lynk ship neared, Sabine saw that the soldiers onboard had arrows trained toward the Bakley ship. No one owned this river, and those soldiers had no right to behave with such hostility. She glanced up at the mast to her left, confirming that not only did the Bakley flag fly, but also the one indicating a member of the royal family was onboard. Which meant these Lynk soldiers were acting extreme and dare she say, as if they were at war or owned the river.
Markis joined her. “I think it best if you go below deck,” he said, a short sword in hand.
“I may be needed here.” She watched her brother climb onto the crates. “What are you doing?” she called out to him.
“I’m fairly certain piracy has been outlawed,” he replied. Then he shouted at the Lynk ship, “Lower your weapons!”
A man came forward bearing the uniform of a Lynk captain. “It’s a little far north for a Bakley ship.”
“Lynk does not own these waters,” Otto said. “And that’s Prince Otto Ludwig of Bakley to you. Now order your crew to lower their weapons.”
“What’s your business this far north?” the captain demanded.
Sabine rocked back on her heels, shocked at the audacity of this man. It was time for her to intervene. She stepped forward to the railing. “Drawing a weapon on your queen is considered an act of treason. Shall I have you all killed?”
The captain’s eyes widened, but he made no move to order his men to stand down.
“I am Queen Sabine Manfred,” she continued. “I demand you lower your weapons and address my brother with his proper title. If I have to repeat myself, I’ll have all of you killed for insubordination.” She lifted her chin in the air and slid her hands over the railing, being sure her ring was visible.
The captain ordered his men to lower their weapons. “We’ve been searching for you,” he said.
Not wanting to acknowledge his comment, she ignored it and said, “I am eager to return home to my husband. If you have no other purpose here than to sail these waters, you will escort my ship north so we don’t encounter any further…disturbances.” She turned and headed below deck, not giving the captain a chance to respond.
With her arms and legs shaking, she made her way to her cabin which consisted of two rooms. The first one had a desk and acted as an office. The door at the back of it led to her sleeping quarters. Markis had insisted she take this cabin so he could sleep in the office to make sure no one got to her while she slept in the back room.
Sabine forced herself to sit at the desk, pretending to read the maps and letters strewn about.
Shouting came from above. She ignored it and kept staring at the papers before her, as if they held the answers to whatever it was she needed to know.
A few minutes later, someone knocked on her door.
“Enter,” she called out.
Markis opened the door, revealing the Lynk captain at his side.
“Your Majesty,” Markis said with a bow. “May I introduce Captain Higman.”
“Why are you on this ship?” she asked, leaning back in the chair.
“I’ve been tasked with returning the king’s property.”
“This is a Bakley ship,” she said, her hands gesturing to the walls.
“No. I am referring to you.”
She had to stifle her anger. It was time to play her part. A smile slid across her lips. “I thought I was clear before. However, in case you didn’t understand your orders, I’ll repeat them. I am on my way home to Lynk.” She made sure not to break eye contact. “As your queen, I bid your ship escort this one.”
He shifted his weight. “I, uh, was going to disembark and take you through the mountains to the palace.”
“I don’t want to go that way.” In reality, she much preferred traveling on land than sea. However, this was a battle she would not back down from. “The ships will head north. You will take us to the port closest to the palace. You’re excused.”
When the man went to open his mouth, Markis grabbed him, shoving him out of the office. She could hear them speaking in the hallway. Markis returned a moment later.
“Your Majesty, Captain Higman wishes to remain onboard in order to ensure your safety.”
She drummed her fingers on the desk. “If his ship has a suitable captain to replace him, then I think that is an excellent idea. However, since we don’t have any accommodations for him, he will have to sleep on the deck.”
Markis chuckled. “As you wish.”