Chapter 13
Sabine stood in the archway leading from her bedchamber to the outside balcony, gazing at the beautiful view before her.
“I have everything written down,” Claire said as she stood from the table. “Is there anything else you’ll be requiring?”
“No, that will be all.” Sabine couldn’t believe she’d asked Claire to help her plan a small tea party. Back home, the last thing she ever wanted to do was sit in a room having tea all afternoon while making idle chatter with other women. However, after her conversation with Axel, she knew she needed to start forming connections with the wives of the powerful men in Lynk.
“I’ll get the invitations out later today and have all of the food and drinks arranged to your specifications.” Claire gathered her papers and writing utensils. “I would like to apologize.”
“For what?” Sabine asked.
“I should have mentioned sooner that my sister is Heather. She told me she met you last night.”
“Your sister is a beautiful woman,” Sabine replied, trying to keep her face neutral and devoid of any emotion revealing that she knew Heather was Rainer’s lover. “There is no need to apologize so long as you don’t keep information from me in the future.”
Claire smiled. “I won’t. And thank you. I’ll get started on this right away.” She left the room.
Letting out a sigh, Sabine turned her attention back to the landscape before her as unwanted thoughts wormed their way in. She had no idea where Claire’s loyalties lie. Claire could have been given this job as a favor to Heather since being a lady’s maid was far more prestigious than a seamstress’s assistant. However, she could also have this job to keep tabs on Sabine. She could be reporting everything Sabine did back to Heather. Or even Rainer. For some reason, this felt like a small betrayal. It only solidified the fact that Sabine couldn’t trust anyone.
Someone knocked on her door. She called out for the person to enter.
“Princess Sabine,” a warm, masculine voice said from behind her.
She forced a pleasant smile on her face and headed inside where she found Rainer standing in the middle of her bedchamber. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
“We need to talk,” he said by way of greeting.
“Yes, we do.” She folded her arms as she examined the man before her. The last time she saw him, he’d been fighting with Markis. Now, his hair appeared damp, he smelled of soap, and he wore a tan tunic and matching loose pants.
“Let’s go to my private office.” He headed to the door that led to the royal suite.
Sabine went to her desk, opening the top drawer and gathering the letters he’d given her, wanting to return them. She followed him past the sitting room, past the dining room, and to a closed door. He opened it, ushering her inside.
Back home, her father’s office had dark wood walls, a desk that always seemed to be littered with piles of papers, and several shelves full to the brim with books stacked in no particular order. This space was the opposite. A small desk sat in the middle of the room, there were no books, and three of the walls were bare. Where the fourth wall should have been, it was entirely open to the outside. The space felt rather impersonal.
“Go ahead and make yourself comfortable,” Rainer said as he moved around her and took a seat at his desk.
“There’s no wall,” she said, as if he didn’t know that. Since the palace was built atop a mountain, if she went too close to the opening, she feared she’d topple right down the side of the cliff and die. Maybe that was the point. If someone upset him, he could just shove the person right off the mountainside.
“There’s a large pool below,” he said, tracking her movements—or lack thereof. “Worst thing that can happen, you’ll fall one level into the water.”
“How is there a pool?”
“This room stops well before the edge of the palace and mountain.”
She inched forward, trying to see without getting too close. Sure enough, she spotted a body of water fifteen feet below. It looked as if it went under where she currently stood making it an indoor and outdoor pool. She’d never seen anything so amazing in all her life.
“When it rains, the water cascades off the roof above here and into the pool.”
“I would love to see that,” she said, taking a seat across from him. “Everything here is so different from Bakley.” She set the letters he’d given her on the desk. “I want to return these to you.”
He picked them up and slid them in a drawer, not even questioning her about them.
“Could someone down there hear us?” She pointed to the open wall.
“No. Below this room is my own personal training room next to the pool. Even if someone was down there, they’d never hear us unless we spoke very loudly and much closer to the edge of the room.”
She wanted to see the training room. However, now was not the time. He’d brought her into his personal office for a private conversation. If she wanted to know about her sister, now was the time. “Do you have any leads on who killed Alina?” She spoke with an air of confidence, expecting an answer.
He leaned back in his chair. “I have it narrowed down to a few suspects.”
“Are they citizens of Lynk?”
“No,” he said, not breaking eye contact with her. “They’re from other kingdoms, though we believe one could be in Lynk at the moment. We’re trying to locate him.”
Thrilled he was sharing this information with her, she asked, “Who are they?”
“The first is a group of soldiers from Carlon who have been very vocal about not wanting your sister and I to marry. They don’t want Lynk and Bakley forming any sort of an alliance. Another suspect is one of Carlon’s well-known assassins. He was seen spending an obscene amount of money at a brothel a week ago. We haven’t been able to link him to anyone though, so we have no idea who hired him.”
“Any others?”
“A powerful noblewoman from Nisk has also expressed her displeasure with Lynk uniting with Bakley. She threatened to stop the wedding but gave no specifics beyond that. However, she is quite wealthy and has extensive resources.”
“Who do you believe is in Lynk?”
“The assassin from Carlon has a brother who hasn’t been seen since the assassination. The two men usually work together. I believe he may have stayed behind to ensure the job was complete, or he may be here now for you. I don’t have proof—it’s just a feeling. There have been a few odd things that have happened which is why I’ve kept the palace closed to outsiders, why I sent your men home, and why I have six guards assigned to you.”
At least he seemed to be taking her safety seriously. “Once you discover who killed my sister, what do you plan to do with him?”
“I’ll discuss the matter with your father and then decide how to proceed with his recommendations.”
Tears filled her eyes. When her sister had first left Bakley to marry Rainer, Sabine hadn’t once considered other kingdoms would be opposed to the union and her sister would end up dead. Even when she offered to take her sister’s place, her only thought had been seeking the killer and getting revenge.
“Do you have any other questions?”
“You’ve ruled out everyone here in Lynk?” she asked. There had to be at least one person from this kingdom who opposed the marriage and had the means to pull off an assassination.
“While I am sure there are some who’d love to see this union fail, I do not believe any of them would have killed your sister.”
“Why is that?”
“Because if one of my own people killed her, the punishment would be the death of the killer’s entire bloodline.”
Silence hung in the room. An extreme punishment for the family, especially if they weren’t corrupt like the killer.
“Thank you,” she said. “For telling me all of this.” She needed to write to her mother, letting her know all she’d learned.
Rainer stood and walked around the desk, perching on the edge of it near Sabine. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” She sat back, trying to figure out why he’d moved so close to her.
“Will you promise to answer honestly?” he asked, his voice low and rumbling like water over stones.
“Yes,” Sabine replied, her own voice coming out breathy, “as long as I can ask something in return.” She had no idea why this man had this effect on her. Whenever he looked at her, his eyes seemed to be undressing her, making her body ache in a way no one else ever had. Even though she had a desire to touch him, to run a finger along his arm, she refrained from doing so and instead, tried her hardest to pretend she wasn’t attracted to him.
“That’s only fair.” He clasped his hands together and asked, “What is your relationship with Markis?”
“My guard, Markis?” She’d never considered defining her friendship with a soldier in her father’s army.
“Yes.”
And then it dawned on her what he was insinuating. Her face heated with the implication. She decided to play dumb. “What do you mean by our relationship? He’s my guard.”
“Forgive me, but he seems like more.” He reached out, placing his warm hand on her knee, practically making her jump from the contact.
She crossed her legs, forcing him to remove his hand. “I hadn’t met Markis until the day I left my home to journey here to Lynk. After my carriage was attacked, the two of us traveled together. I trust him to keep me safe.”
Rainer rubbed the back of his neck. “You don’t fancy him as something more?”
She raised her eyebrows at that. “No. The thought never crossed my mind. Why are you asking me these questions?”
“The two of you seem close.” He stood and went over to the open wall, gazing outside. “He cares for you.”
It irked her that Rainer was inquiring after Markis while he was intimately involved with another woman. She didn’t think he was jealous but more along the lines of not wanting to look the fool. It was her job then to ease his mind. Men could be so fickle. “Of course Markis cares for me—my father tasked him with my safety. I am his princess, and he has sworn fealty to me.” She stood and took a couple of steps closer to Rainer, facing his back. “You of all people must understand that my kingdom needs your soldiers. Our marriage is imperative. Markis knows children that have been kidnapped. He wants Bakley and Lynk to unite. He is here to help us.”
“That’s exactly what he said.”
“Then why are you questioning me?”
He peered over his shoulder at her. “To see if your stories align.”
“Will he be allowed to stay?” She wanted to ask why they’d been fighting this morning in the first place.
“Yes. I’ve tested him, and he’s proved himself capable.”
Relief filled her. But now it was her turn to ask him something. “After we marry, what will your association with Heather be?”
He turned his attention back outside. “I was wondering why you agreed to answer my question so readily.” He shook his head. “Heather and I have a long and complicated relationship.”
She waited for him to explain because she would not leave this room without some sort of understanding. She couldn’t be the queen of this kingdom without having a level of respect from the king. She moved to stand alongside Rainer, her focus also outside on the stunning scenery before them.
“Heather was my first love,” he said, his voice almost wistful. “When my father discovered I fancied her, he made it clear I was free to dabble on occasion but that I could never marry or have a relationship with Heather. Naturally, I rebelled. I saw her more frequently and made promises to her that I couldn’t keep. I thought I could have a life with Heather before my father died. I assumed I had twenty or so years until I needed to worry about taking up the crown. When my father passed at such an early age, I was stunned. No one expected it. I told Heather I had to marry someone else, and for the most part, we ended things. We see each other on occasion, but that is all. She is marrying Cutler. We will each go our separate ways.”
“If that’s the case, then why did Cutler tell me about the two of you?” It had been bothering her all day. The only reason she could come up with was that Rainer and Heather would continue their affair even after both married someone else.
“Cutler is hotheaded.” He turned to face her. “Why are you asking me about Heather?”
She wanted to say for the same reason you’re asking me about Markis; however, she refrained from doing so. The two of them needed to form some sort of friendship and a level of trust. “I wasn’t sure of the customs in your kingdom and if you’d take a consort or not.”
He chuckled and rubbed his chin. “It is within my right to do anything I wish, including taking a lover. However, I have no desire to bother with love because it clouds a person’s judgment. Now that I am the king of Lynk, I need to see things clearly and rationally.” He placed his hands on her bare shoulders, sending a jolt of warmth through her. “Your purpose here is to bring strength to my kingdom. I help you; you help me. This is a business deal.” His right finger slid from her arm to her collar bone and then up to her chin, forcing her to look directly into his eyes. “I need an heir within the year; otherwise, I lose my throne. Until your end of the deal is met, your activities will be restricted to ensure your wellbeing and safety. Your sister understood and accepted all of this.” He leaned in, as if to kiss her, his warm breath caressing her face. “You will behave in such a way that it is clear you are my wife, that we are married, and I am the only one in your bed.”
She nodded, unable to form a sentence.
Rainer’s finger slid up her cheek and then across her lips. She held completely still, not sure what his intentions were. If he leaned forward and kissed her, she was pretty sure she’d kiss him back. Not because she felt anything for him as a person, but because he made her body react to his in strange, alluring ways. She wondered what it would feel like to have his large hands remove her dress, caress her skin, hold her in bed.
“You are not to be alone in a room with anyone—including my brother. There can never be a question as to whose child you bear. Understood?”
“Yes,” she whispered, blinking. She needed to pull it together. It was just that she’d never had the tables turned on her like this. Usually, she was the one leaning in, saying something semi-scandalous, getting young men to do as she wanted.
“Good.” He removed his hands and took a step back.
Without him physically touching her, it became easier to think clearly. Wanting to change the subject, she said, “Lottie mentioned she trains with your soldiers.”
He nodded. “It’s important she knows how to defend herself since she refuses to have any guards in the palace.”
She twisted her fingers together, trying to figure out how to ask him. Finally, she just came out and said, “Can I train with them?”
He shook his head. “I will not have the future queen training with my soldiers.”
“I understand.” She started to head toward the door.
“However,” he said.
She froze, her back to him.
“I’d be willing to train you.”
The two of them, alone together, training. “Okay.”
“Oh, and there’s one other matter to discuss before you leave.”
She turned to face him. “Yes?”
“The only kingdom that hasn’t specifically expressed concern over our union is Avoni.”
“You didn’t mention any suspects from that kingdom either.”
“Exactly. Which naturally makes me suspicious, so I sent the king a letter inviting him to our wedding.”
“Did he reply?”
“He wrote back thanking me for the invitation. He politely declined but said he is sending a small delegation in his place to witness the joyous occasion. His words, not mine.”
“Are you going to let them in the palace?” Rainer must not have expected that response.
“I have no choice but to welcome them here,” he said. “They will arrive shortly. Once they do, our wedding will take place.” He turned his back to her, facing out toward the mountains in the distance once again.
Sabine didn’t bother to say anything else as she left the room, wondering about Avoni. If the assassin was from that kingdom, he could come with the delegation and be granted entrance into the palace. If so, he could try to kill her to stop the union.