Chapter 5
Standing on the front steps of the castle, an eerie sensation filled Sabine as she bid her family goodbye. Alina had done this exact thing only weeks ago. She couldn’t let the similarities get to her.
“Keep your wits about you,” the king said as he hugged his daughter. “Don’t get distracted by court finery. Remember everything your mother taught you. You will be the queen of Lynk—make us proud.”
Sabine kissed his cheek. “I will.”
“You can do this,” Karl said as he moved to hug her. “You know what needs to be done and what’s at stake.”
She squeezed Karl. “Subtlety has never been your strong suit,” she whispered as she released him. “But I get it. I won’t screw up. I promise.”
“How about you just stay alive,” Rolf said as he kissed Sabine’s cheek. “You have the dagger I gave you?”
She nodded.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married before me,” Otto teased her. “I honestly thought you’d never marry. I thought you’d be a spinster doting on your nieces and nephews.”
She would have liked to have seen her brothers’ children grow up. After hugging Otto, she moved to stand before Viktor.
“Just remember, don’t get distracted by all of the men—I mean court finery,” Viktor said with a chuckle.
Sabine hit his arm. He loved to irritate her. Somehow, she’d miss his banter. “If something happens to me, remember those were your last words.”
He kissed her cheek. “I’ll miss you.”
“My turn,” the queen said.
Sabine hugged her mother tightly. “I love you.”
“And I love you. Please be careful. Your life is more important than finding the murderer.”
“I’ll be careful. I promise.” She let go and then climbed into the carriage. When the door closed, she waved goodbye to her family.
The driver expertly guided the carriage out of the courtyard and down the road, leading away from the castle. At the gatehouse, eight mounted soldiers surrounded the carriage. These men were tasked with keeping her safe during the long trip north to Lynk.
Her hands began to shake as terror squeezed her heart, making her want to vomit. What had she done? She was neither ready to marry nor was she the most qualified person to be searching for a trained killer. Sweat broke out over her forehead. This entire plan was stupid. Balling her hands into fists, she took a deep breath and remembered that her kingdom needed protection. Marrying King Rainer would guarantee it. She had to keep that in mind. Otherwise, her sister had died for nothing.
One of the soldiers knocked on her window. “Your Highness, I’m Lieutenant Markis Belle,” he said, loud enough for her to hear through the glass. “If you need anything, please let me know.”
She nodded.
“Please pull the curtains closed as we travel. We don’t plan on stopping until it’s dark. There’s food under your bench seat.”
She did as he said, upset she wouldn’t be able to see the countryside.
Sabine remained this way—traveling in the carriage with the curtains closed—for two weeks. The only time she was permitted to leave the carriage was once in the morning and evening to relieve herself. Otherwise, she slept, ate, and rode inside with no one to talk to and nothing to see.
She’d been told they’d reach Lynk tomorrow. With her boots off, she curled up on the bench seat, reading her book, trying to pass the time.
The carriage abruptly halted, and Sabine almost toppled off the seat. She peered around the curtain to see what was going on. It was only midday—not time to stop for the night yet. The soldiers accompanying her remained on horseback, moving so they faced away from the carriage. Each man withdrew his sword.
Shouts rang out as men rushed toward them. Fear shot through Sabine, and she quickly backed away from the window. A thud sounded to her right and she looked that way, spotting an axe sticking into the side of her carriage, level with her head. Her heart pounded and she immediately rolled onto the floor, flattening herself against it. She could not believe they were under attack.
“Do not pursue them,” Markis shouted. “Hold your position.”
Steel clanked and men grunted as fighting took place outside the carriage, mere feet from Sabine. With sweaty hands, she reached into her bag, fumbling around until her fingers came across the hilt of her dagger. Pulling the weapon out, she clutched onto it, ready to do her part if someone came at her.
If whoever was attacking managed to kill her soldiers or get past them, they’d come for her. And there she was, lying on the floor of the carriage, unable to hold her dagger steady because she was shaking so badly. She had no idea how many people were out there, or how the fight was going. It would be horrible if she died before she even reached Lynk. She should never have taken her sister’s place.
The door by her feet opened. Sabine glanced that way and saw a large, beefy hand reach in, grabbing hold of her ankle. She squealed and started kicking the man’s arm with her other foot.
The owner of that arm stuck his bearded face in her carriage. “You the princess?” he asked, looking her over.
“Who are you?” she countered.
He yanked her toward him.
She kicked the man’s chin, knocking his head back.
He snarled and glared at her, hatred gleaming in his eyes. “I’ll just kill you here. The sooner you’re dead, the better.” He withdrew a knife from his belt.
Sabine tried kicking his face again; however, he twisted her leg so her body was now on its side and she could no longer reach him. Still holding her dagger, she angled the blade toward her feet. When the man pulled her closer to him, she aimed for his stomach and tried impaling it into him. She missed, striking his arm instead. She managed to catch him off-guard long enough to ram her dagger into his shoulder though she’d been aiming for his neck.
He released her, and she immediately scooted away from him.
“Zounds!” The man stood there, his eyes narrowing and his face contorting with rage. Not even bothering to pull her dagger free, he lifted his own knife, about to hurl it at her, when his body flew forward, his head smacking the floor of the carriage a mere foot from Sabine, a sword protruding from his back.
Markis stood behind the man, heaving deep breaths. He yanked his sword free, grabbed the back of the man’s tunic, and hauled the body out of the carriage.
“Are you okay?” Markis asked, his left cheek splattered with blood.
She nodded, unable to speak. Everything had happened so quickly. She thought she might be sick.
“Let’s go.” He waved her toward him.
Sabine grabbed her boots, shoving her feet into them before climbing out of the carriage. Outside, bodies littered the ground. Sabine bent over and gagged. There were a dozen dead men. Nine wore plain clothing; the other three were Bakley soldiers. She’d lost three of her men.
“Why is there blood on your hands?” Markis demanded, grabbing her wrists to inspect her, and forcing her attention away from the bodies.
She looked at him and blinked, trying to comprehend what he’d just asked.
“Princess Sabine,” Markis said, his voice softer. “Are you injured?”
“No.” She pulled her hands free, looking at the blood on them. “I…” She pointed at the man on the ground.
Markis rolled him over, revealing her dagger embedded in the man’s shoulder. Markis yanked the weapon free, wiping the blood on the dead man’s pants before handing it back to her. “We need to get moving.” He scanned the surrounding area.
Sabine clutched her dagger, not wanting to be without it.
“These men are dressed like Nisk mercenaries,” one of her soldiers said. “But it seems too convenient since we’re traveling through Nisk.”
“I agree,” Markis said.
“The man I encountered used the word zounds,” Sabine said. “Isn’t that a slang word used in Carlon?” She recalled when a group of courtiers from Carlon visited her castle. She’d danced with one of the young men before having a drink with him in a dark corner. She remembered him using that word when her brother found the two of them alone and threatened to kill him.
“It is,” Markis murmured. He scratched the side of his chin, looking at the men sprawled on the ground. “Their skin is a bit light for them to be from Nisk.”
“What are your orders?” one of the soldiers asked Markis.
Markis sheathed his sword. “Princess Sabine,” he turned to face her, “please clean the blood from your hands.”
She nodded and reached inside the carriage, grabbing the blanket from the bench seat and her pouch of drinking water.
Markis started barking out orders, but Sabine didn’t pay any attention. Her focus went to trying to scrub away all traces of the man’s blood that was on her skin. Her hands shook. She’d stabbed a man with her dagger. That man would’ve killed her if Markis hadn’t gotten there in time.
“Your hands are clean,” Markis said, taking the water and blanket from her. “Now I need you to change.”
Another soldier handed her a bundle of clothes. She nodded and took them. Going into the carriage, she quickly removed her dress and put on the navy-blue pants and tunic. Once dressed as a soldier, she exited the carriage.
Markis handed her a cap. “Put all your hair up under this so it’s hidden.”
She did as he said, surprised by how informally he spoke to her.
“Let’s go.” Markis took hold of her elbow, steering her over to where a soldier stood with two skittish horses.
She took the reins of one, and Markis helped her mount.
He climbed onto the other animal. “The two of us are going to continue north. The rest of your soldiers will remain with the carriage.”
“I don’t understand,” she said, still trying to comprehend all that had just happened. It frightened her that someone wanted her dead and was willing to go to such lengths to kill her.
“The two of us will be able to travel faster without the carriage. We’ll also be able to be anonymous on our own.”
“But all of my things are in there.” All the dresses her mother had commissioned for her.
“The soldiers will continue with the carriage. It’ll just arrive a few days after us.”
The soldiers began pulling the dead bodies away from the road and into the cover of the surrounding forest.
“We need to get as far away from here as quickly as possible in case more men come,” Markis said. “Are you able to ride on your own?”
“Yes.” Sabine urged her horse onward, and they set out. Karl had taught her to ride when she was only four years old. Riding came naturally to her.
After about a half mile, her heart rate returned to normal and she began to calm down. The fresh air filled her lungs, the sun warmed her skin, and she could almost forget about what had transpired a mere hour ago.
Sabine glanced sidelong at Markis. He had tanned skin and a light dusting of freckles across his nose. Dark blond hair stuck out from beneath his cap. She guessed his age to be around twenty-six. A little young to oversee not only her safety but the other soldiers as well. She wondered how he’d gotten a prestigious position at such a young age.
They rode in silence for a few minutes. The entire time, Markis scanned their surroundings as if he expected someone to attack them at any moment. A crow flew overhead but other than that, Sabine saw no forms of life anywhere nearby.
Reaching down, she felt her dagger tucked under the waist of her pants. Hopefully she wouldn’t need it again. “Thank you for saving my life back there.”
“I was just doing my job,” Markis said.
Something about his words deflated Sabine. She was a job, nothing more. Markis held no loyalty to her—it was the crown he served. She wanted to change the topic. “When will we stop for the night?”
“As soon as the Lynk border is in sight. Probably in a couple of hours. It’ll be well before dark if that’s what you’re concerned about.”
His words sent a chill down her spine. She’d forgotten they were due to arrive in Lynk tomorrow. “You plan on escorting me to the palace, correct?” Not leaving her to fend for herself. The mere thought terrified her.
“Your father tasked me with delivering you safely to King Rainer’s palace, and that is what I will do.”
“Once we’re there, will you serve as the head of my security?” If soldiers from Lynk were assigned to protect her, she had no idea if they’d be loyal or if she could even trust them. No, she needed her own men to feel safe and secure. Since three had been killed in the ambush, that left Markis and four additional soldiers. Five should be adequate.
“I will remain at your side unless King Rainer orders me to return home.” He gripped the reins of his horse tighter, the movement slight, but Sabine noticed.
“Surely he wouldn’t do that.” Especially if she wanted Markis to remain with her. As a princess and the future queen of Lynk, she had to have some say in what happened.
“I’m not sure King Rainer will want foreigners he doesn’t know or trust in his home.”
“I will vouch for you,” she replied. “That should be enough.”
“What do you know about King Rainer?” he asked.
“Not much, but that doesn’t matter. Our kingdom needs this alliance. If my sister could agree to marry a man she knew nothing about, I can do so as well.”
“One of your brothers told me the princess and king had been exchanging letters for some time.”
That was new information to her. None of her brothers had said a word to her about Alina and Rainer corresponding. “My brother told you that?”
“Prince Rolf wants me to look for the letters when I’m there. Since leaving Bakley, the princess’s things hadn’t been returned. We don’t know if she kept the letters, but your brother believes she did. He thinks they are probably with her personal items.”
“What does he hope to glean from them?” she asked, her thoughts drifting to the idea that her sister’s belongings might still be at the palace. If she could smell her sister’s sweet scent one more time…tears welled in her eyes at the mere thought.
“Your brother is simply looking for suspects and motives.”
Sabine nodded as if all of this made sense. It hurt her that her sister hadn’t confided in her. All this time, she thought Alina was going to marry a man she knew nothing about. However, that was not the case. Her sister had been corresponding with him. Which meant he had to be a decent person or else Alina wouldn’t have agreed to go through with it.
“I understand people of royal breeding have certain duties,” Markis said, “but I can’t imagine being in your situation.”
“It is a bit daunting to be on my way to marry a man I haven’t even met.” All she’d been told about King Rainer was that his father had recently died so he’d inherited the throne at the young age of twenty-four. The king had three siblings, twin brothers who were twenty-two and a younger sister who was twenty. She’d also been told that for Rainer to maintain the throne, he had to marry and produce an heir—which was one of the reasons he needed to wed quickly. “What about you?” she asked. “Are you married?”
“I am. I’ve been married for three years. We have…”
“You have?” she prompted.
He glanced at her. “One daughter. We lost our son.” He didn’t extrapolate.
“I’m sorry,” she said, not knowing what else to say. She shouldn’t have pried. Perhaps he’d chosen to be a soldier to get away from his house where the memories were. Losing a loved one was never easy. That was why she dove headfirst into taking Alina’s place. Focusing on training and preparing for this journey made it easier to deal with her sister’s death. Markis could be doing the very same thing.
“One of the reasons I asked Prince Rolf if I could accompany you on this trip is because I know what you’re going through.”
Surprise filled her. She’d had no idea he’d volunteered for this.
“Losing someone is never easy,” he continued. “Sometimes it makes us do rash things.” He looked pointedly at her.
Her face heated up at his implication. Taking her sister’s place wasn’t rash—it was heroic. She was saving her kingdom. But that little voice in the back of her mind also reminded her she was doing this for a very selfish reason. She wanted to find her sister’s killer. Instead of admitting that, she asked, “Did you behave rashly after the death of your son?”
He focused on the road straight ahead. “I lashed out at those trying to help and console me. Watching my wife suffer was unbearable, so I took on dangerous missions just to feel alive and not be consumed by the pain.”
That was something Sabine understood. She’d thrown herself into training with her mother and Rolf to avoid the pain.
“That’s the wall up ahead. Let’s stop and make camp just off the road.”
“Wall?” Sabine said as she steered her horse after Markis.
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “It’s just over twenty feet tall and made entirely from stone.”
Sabine squinted, trying to see it from where she was. “Does it go from one end of the kingdom to the other?” She had no idea how the Lynk people could have made something so large.
“It does. It even goes into the mountains.” He led them to the cover of a nearby patch of trees.
“Interesting,” she mused. “So, in theory, no one from another kingdom should be able to sneak in?” Which meant her sister’s killer had to be from Lynk.
“Not necessarily. Someone could take a boat and get around the wall that way, entering Lynk from the ocean. I also believe there isn’t a wall separating Lynk from Avoni, but that hasn’t been confirmed.”
“I wonder why they didn’t build a wall around their entire kingdom.” If they went through so much trouble to close themselves off from Carlon and Nisk, it seemed they should have extended the same to Avoni.
“There’s a large river which separates Lynk from Avoni which is why I believe there isn’t a wall there. Also, all their trade is done via ships since it’s the easiest way to get supplies in and out. And, if they needed to, they could get their army on the coastline of any kingdom on the continent. If they attacked by land and sea, they could almost surround another kingdom, ensuring total victory.”
“Couldn’t another kingdom attack them from the ocean?”
Markis smiled. “No. It would be suicide.”
Sabine was beginning to think this entire mission was suicide. She should never have offered to take her sister’s place.