Chapter 16
The dog, it seemed, did not care for Markis. As Sabine walked across the courtyard with Lady Karmen, Harta trotted along behind them, occasionally growling at Markis if he got too close. Every time it happened, Markis mumbled under his breath and backed up a few steps. Sabine tried not to chuckle. Unfortunately, it seemed Harta didn’t care for paper either. Sabine still couldn’t believe the dog had grabbed her father’s letter from her hand and ate it. She’d have to write to her father later today, letting him know what happened. She hoped there wasn’t anything important in the letter.
“I’m glad you seem to have settled in at the palace,” Karmen said.
Sabine had been around long enough to know when something was worded one way but meant something else. Karmen wouldn’t have used the word seem otherwise. “While it is quite different here in Lynk, I am finding the change refreshing.” She forced a smile on her face, waiting for Karmen’s response. After all, she’d invited the woman to walk with her for a reason.
“I’ve been worried with so many of the women being upset with your arrival.” Karmen patted Sabine’s arm.
While she assumed there would be those vying for power upset by the union, they should have gotten over it already. Especially since Sabine was the second one betrothed to Rainer. Regardless, she played along. “What women are upset?” This was the information she wanted anyway—to see if there were any suspects that hadn’t been considered.
“The usual ones,” Karmen said, waving her hand. “Those who want power, money, or feel they’re entitled to sit on a throne. I’m sure you have the same in Bakley.”
Sabine nodded. “We do. And I feel bad that King Rainer is marrying a foreigner. I am sure many here in Lynk would prefer him to marry one of their own. However, this marriage is mutually beneficial for both kingdoms.” She needed that message spread through court. “My kingdom will be sending a substantial amount of grain to Lynk. That will feed hundreds, if not thousands, of people.” She realized she had no idea how much her father had agreed to send.
“I understand,” Karmen replied. “But I think the concern is that you won’t produce a child soon enough. Many believe the king shouldn’t have wasted so much time finding a woman to marry. If he doesn’t have an heir by the time he turns twenty-five, he forfeits the throne. Naturally, people are worried.”
In other words, they were questioning the king’s judgment. Sabine glanced back, making sure Harta still followed close behind. She was such a good doggie.
Karmen waved to someone walking on the second level’s outdoor hallway to the right. “Being seen with you is going to get everyone talking,” she purred. “I love it.”
Sabine chuckled. “I can understand why a lot of people are worried since the king and I don’t have a lot of room for error.” Alina’s death had set the king’s timetable back quite a bit. “And I’m sure many wouldn’t be happy with Axel as the king.” She laughed at the mere idea.
“Oh no, he wouldn’t be king.”
“Anton then?” Sabine assumed the twin born first would be next in line for the throne. However, she couldn’t imagine Anton leading a kingdom either. Rainer was the best choice out of the three brothers.
“You don’t know?” Karmen asked, pulling Sabine to a stop, and glancing around.
“Know what?”
Karmen leaned in closer and whispered, “The twins can’t take the throne. They’re not the previous king’s legitimate heirs.”
The news surprised Sabine. “I hadn’t realized the king had two children out of wedlock.”
“He didn’t.” Karmen’s eyes widened, as if willing Sabine to understand what she wasn’t saying.
It dawned on her. “The queen cheated on the king?” She didn’t think the previous king—or any king for that matter—would have allowed something like that to stand. “And he raised the twins as his own? I don’t understand.” She’d never heard of something so preposterous.
“Rumor is that the king was gone when the queen became pregnant. Some say it was a palace sentry. When the king returned and found out, he had all her guards killed.”
Sabine recalled Rainer’s unwarranted reaction to Markis and her soldiers from back home. Given what his father had gone through, she understood him better now.
“The king loved his wife, so he let her live. After she gave birth, he claimed the twins as his own. However, he made it clear they would never sit on the throne. Which means Lottie is the next in line.”
No wonder Rainer had insisted Sabine never be alone in a room with a man—even his own brothers. Sabine resumed walking. “Is this common knowledge here at court?”
“Yes, though no one talks about it publicly.”
That had to be why Axel didn’t take things seriously. He had nothing to lose from his questionable behavior. “There is still so much I need to learn about Lynk.”
“You have plenty of time.” Karmen patted Sabine’s arm. “And there are several of us here rooting for you. We’ll help you in any way we can.”
Sabine had to force the smile on her face to appear genuine and not triumphant. “Thank you,” she said as demurely as possible.
Since the king declared his marriage to Sabine would take place shortly after the Avoni delegation arrived—which would be any day now—Sabine made her way to the seamstress’s room for a fitting. She couldn’t help but inwardly cringe at what she expected the wedding dress to look like. It wouldn’t be the beautiful style she’d envisioned growing up, but rather, something in the Lynk fashion.
When she arrived, her guards waited outside while she went in, Harta at her side.
“Good morning, Princess Sabine,” the seamstress, Lillian, cooed. “I can’t wait to see how the dress fits you.” The seamstress was an elderly woman, maybe around sixty, with a short stature and a slightly plump shape, her dark hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun.
“Where is it?” she asked, not seeing anything resembling a wedding dress amidst the yards of fabrics and cutting tables spread throughout the room.
“It’s hidden from prying eyes.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Now go in there,” she pointed to a door on the right. “Remove your clothes. I’ll get your dress and help you put it on. Leave the door open so I know when you’re ready.” She eyed the dog. “Is that creature going in there with you?”
“She goes everywhere I do.” Sabine rubbed Harta’s head.
“Just make sure it doesn’t rub against my fabrics. I don’t need dog hair everywhere.” She shooed Sabine toward the dressing room.
Once inside, Sabine sat on one of the small stools and removed her shoes. Harta diligently sat at the threshold, guarding her. As she slid her shirt up over her head, she thought she heard a whistle but couldn’t be certain. When she tossed the shirt onto the stool, she noticed her dog wasn’t sitting in the doorway any longer.
“Harta?” she called out. The dog didn’t appear.
Ever since she’d received the dog, it hadn’t left her side. It slept at the foot of her bed, sat next to the bath, and even laid next to her chair while she ate. Afraid something had happened to Harta, Sabine tiptoed over to the doorway, peering out into the main portion of the seamstress’s room. Neither the dog nor Lillian were anywhere to be seen.
“Lillian?” Sabine called out. The woman didn’t reply.
She turned back into the dressing room to get her shirt so she could find out what was going on. Something hit Sabine from behind. She screamed as she fell forward, landing with her chin, hands, and knees smacking the floor. She felt a large man on top of her, so she twisted, trying to get away from him. A loud sound reverberated through the room, as if a door had burst open. Growling and barking filled the space. Relief filled Sabine since Harta was here. She screamed again, trying to alert her guards out in the hallway.
Footsteps pounded and shouts rang out.
The person on top of her cursed, kicking at her dog.
The thought of him hurting Harta infuriated her, so she reached for the nearby stool. Her fingers wrapped around one of the legs and she swung it, hitting the man’s head with a satisfying crack. His dagger fell from his hand, clinking to the floor.
Without thinking, Sabine reached for the weapon. She grabbed it, holding it the way Rolf had shown her, and she rammed it down into the man, stabbing his leg. Sabine kept her fingers gripped on the hilt, not wanting her attacker to get ahold of it. He grunted and rolled off her.
She scooted as far away from the man as she could. He reached down, holding his thigh as blood soaked through his pants and dripped onto the floor.
Shouts rang from somewhere in the palace. The man cursed and got to his feet, limping as he ran from the dressing room holding his thigh. Harta barked as she chased after him, snapping at his leg.
Sabine grabbed her shirt and put it on. She sat in the corner of the room, blood on her hands. Her entire body shook, and her heart thudded in her chest as she tried to process all that had just happened.
Soldiers rushed into the dressing area, surrounding her.
More shouting came from outside the room.
One of her guards squatted before her. “Princess Sabine, are you injured?”
“I don’t think so.” Other than being sore, she didn’t notice anything broken or bleeding.
He helped her stand and then escorted her from the seamstress’s room.
Out in the hallway, her guards formed a tight, protective circle around her as they made their way through the palace. Sabine wondered what had taken them so long to enter and help her. How had the attacker gotten in there in the first place? He could have come in through a window. But when he left, he used the door. She knew that because Harta had followed him. Presumably, the attacker would have run right into them on his way out, which meant they had to have him in custody. That had to be why it took them so long to get to her.
Panic seized her as she looked around. “Where’s Harta?” she demanded.
“Once you’re in a secure location, I will personally find Harta for you,” the guard to her right said. “I’m sure she’s around here looking for you.”
“She didn’t get injured when she went after my attacker, did she?”
“I can’t be sure, princess,” he answered.
Her stomach rolled with nausea. She prayed nothing had happened to her dog. Even though her bedchamber always had guards, those accompanying her insisted on searching it before allowing her to enter. Once it was deemed safe, she went in and headed to her bathing room, scrubbing the blood from her hands. Once clean, she wandered back into the main portion of her room, not knowing what to do.
She’d been attacked. Someone had tried to kill her. Her head started to pound.
“Where is she?” Rainer said as he burst into the room, his eyes wild.
“Your Majesty, she is all right,” one of the guards answered.
Rainer ran to Sabine, taking her face in his hands. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, unable to speak, still too shocked at the events that had just transpired.
He turned and spoke with her guards, demanding to know the details of the attack.
“We have men in pursuit of him now. As soon as we have him in custody, we’ll let you know.”
Shock filled her that her attacker hadn’t been caught yet. She didn’t know how he could have escaped when her guards were right outside in the hallway. It didn’t make any sense. Especially since the man was injured.
“Good. Double the number of guards on the princess.”
“Where’s Harta?” she asked, realizing her dog hadn’t returned. Maybe she was still pursuing the assassin.
“And someone find out where Harta is,” Rainer snapped. He came over and took Sabine’s hand, leading her to the bed where they both sat. “Are you sure you’re not injured?”
“I’m fine. Everything just happened so quickly.” She didn’t understand how her attacker had gotten into the room in the first place. It seemed strange that her guards had been right out in the hallway but didn’t enter the room until a minute or two into the attack. Even her dog had disappeared right before it took place. She rubbed her forehead, not liking the implications and fearful voicing them would make them real. Regardless, the king needed to know.
She reached out, taking his hand. “You’ve asked your soldiers what happened, but you haven’t asked me for my account.”
“You’re correct. Forgive me.”
She quickly told him all that had happened, not leaving out a single detail.
A soldier entered the room, breathing heavily. “The suspect got away, but I managed to retrieve this.” He motioned behind him.
Harta trotted into the room, her tail wagging. She jumped onto the bed, licking Sabine.
Rainer stood. “Got away? How is that possible?” His low voice sent shards of ice through Sabine. It was the voice of a man she never wanted to cross.
The soldier seemed to shrink into himself. “He just…disappeared. He didn’t use any of the palace exits.”
“Perhaps he scaled the exterior palace walls. Did you look out of the windows to see?” Rainer asked, folding his arms and standing a solid foot above the man.
“No. He went around a corner, out of sight. When those following rounded the corner, he was nowhere to be seen. The corridor had no windows. We’re doing a palace-wide sweep right now. We’re checking all the rooms.”
Rainer took a deep breath, his shoulders rising and falling. “Fine. Get back to searching. I want everyone on duty looking for the assassin.”
The word assassin sent a shiver through her. She’d just survived an assassination attempt. That could have been the man who killed Alina.
Rainer ordered all the soldiers out of the room, so it was just the two of them. He went over to the door leading to his rooms, opened it, and called for his steward. They spoke so quietly Sabine couldn’t hear a word they said.
When Gunther closed the door, Rainer turned to her. “I’m getting you out of here.”
“Where are we going?”
He came over and placed his lips next to her ear and whispered, “My private vacation home. Pack a few things. We’re leaving in fifteen minutes. I don’t want anyone to know what we’re doing or where we’re going.”
“Excellent idea.”
After gathering a few necessities and shoving everything into a leather bag, Sabine went to the royal suite to find Rainer, Harta trotting alongside her. She found Rainer exiting his bedchamber, a small sword strapped to his waist. The weapon made his alluring demeanor look intimidating.
“You’re not taking a bag?” she asked.
“I keep the home supplied with everything I need. That way I don’t have to worry about taking things back and forth.” He held his hand out to her. “Let’s be on our way.”
She hesitated a moment. He was taking her to his private residence. Alone. She clasped onto his warm hand. He led the way down the stairwell to the training room. He put his finger to his lips, and she nodded. On the far wall, there were two doors. He took the one on the right. They traveled along a plain corridor. At the end, they came to a large bathing room, the floor made from squared tiles. Rainer released her hand and knelt in the corner, lifting four of the tiles and setting them aside. He waved her over.
Peering down, she saw a narrow stairwell leading into what had to be the mountain.
Rainer motioned for the dog to go first. Harta carefully descended the steps. Sabine went next, holding onto the railing as she went down. Rainer gathered the tiles and then entered the stairwell, putting the tiles back in place above him, sending them into complete darkness.
Without talking, Sabine continued descending what felt like hundreds of steps. Finally, her feet came across a flat surface. Harta brushed up beside her. A moment later, a light blossomed.
Rainer stood beside her with a torch in hand. “There are a series of stairwells we must navigate,” he whispered. “The lower we go, the more they tend to get wet and slippery, so be careful.”
She nodded, thankful for the light.
“I’ll lead the way.” He turned and descended another flight of stairs.
Sabine went next, the dog close behind her. At least this time she could see the steps. The lower they went, the eerier it became. The silence turned so deafening that she could almost feel the stone walls around her whispering as a dull sound rang in her ears.
Her legs began to burn, so she stopped to rest for a few minutes. She hadn’t thought going down stairs would be so difficult. Rainer glanced back and saw her standing there. Wordlessly, he stopped and waited, holding the torch, and rubbing the dog’s head. When Sabine’s legs recovered, they continued their descent. Clinging to the railing, she felt steadier on her feet.
Just when she thought things were getting better, her hand slid over something wet. She shivered, assuming it was water from the walls, and wiped her hand on her pants. The steps got slicker, water now visible in a few places. The echo of a dripping sound pinged every few seconds.
After what felt like forever—it had to be a solid hour—the floor leveled out. Sabine’s legs shook. She feared she wouldn’t be able to walk tomorrow. Rainer led the way down a tunnel that reminded her of the lava tube she’d traveled through when she first came to Lynk.
“We’re almost out,” Rainer said. A minute later, he stopped before a warped wooden door. “Strange,” he mumbled. “The lock isn’t on. I can’t even remember the last time I came through here.” He opened the door and bright light inundated them.
Squinting, Sabine stepped outside into a jungle, breathing in the fresh air. Bright green trees with vines hanging from them and exotic shrubs with leaves larger than her head clung to the land in every direction.
Rainer secured the door. “Follow me.” He led the way, though no trail was visible.
They traveled for about a mile. The farther they went, the thinner the vegetation became until they exited the jungle and came to a steep cliff, the ocean below a brilliant blue that smashed against the rocky shoreline.
“Now what?” she asked, her legs shaking. She wiped the sweat from her forehead.
“One last descent.”
“I’m not climbing down that.” And there was no way the dog could make her way down either.
He chuckled. “Not that way.” He nodded his head away from the cliff. “Over here.” He led her twenty feet to a group of black rocks. He moved one of them aside, revealing a hole in the ground. “It’s sloped,” he assured her.
At this point, as long as she didn’t encounter any more steps, she could handle it. She climbed inside and made her way down the muddy path to a cave filled with water. A boat was tied to a wooden post.
Rainer stepped around her, getting into the boat.
“Where are we taking that?” Because if he intended on rowing that small thing out into the ocean, there’s no way they’d survive. Not with the cliff and rocks right there. The waves and current would be too ferocious.
“Have a little faith,” he chided her. “The cave won’t dump us in a dangerous part. I promise.” He whistled, and Harta jumped into the boat.
Sabine remembered hearing a whistle right before being attacked. That’s when Harta had left her. She’d mentioned it to Rainer, but he hadn’t said anything. There had to be a way to find out who knew the dog’s commands. She shivered, realizing it had to be someone inside the palace.
“Give me your hand,” Rainer said, extending his arm to help her.
Reaching out, she noticed her palm had smeared blood on it.
“Did you hurt yourself during the altercation?” Rainer asked, noticing the blood.
“Not that I’m aware of.” She glanced down at her pants and saw blood there as well. “When we came down the steps, I felt something on the railing. I remember thinking it was just water, so I rubbed my palm on my pants.”
His eyes widened. “Get in,” he said, a hint of urgency to his voice.
She did as he said, fearful the assassin would jump out at them at any moment.
He quickly untied the boat and grabbed hold of the oars, allowing the boat to drift deeper into the dark cave. The only way Rainer could steer the boat was by allowing the current to push them along. He had to use the oars to make sure they didn’t hit the sides of the cave. After about five minutes, the air around them started to lighten.
“There’s an alcove ahead,” Rainer explained. “It’s protected so the boat can easily exit there.” He started rowing. Bright light inundated them as they left the cave and went into the open water.
“Are we going there?” She pointed to the island not far away. It looked as if it had grown straight up out of the water since cliffs surrounded it.
“We are.”
“Where will we be docking?” There was probably another set of stairs leading to the top. The thought of climbing more steps made her want to cry.
“There’s a cave on the west side.” He steered them that way, the open water becoming choppy from the wind.
Sabine held onto the sides tightly while Harta laid on the bottom, whining.
They neared the rocky island. The strong current made it difficult for Rainer to do much. However, the water shoved them right toward the cave and the boat flew inside, hitting something with a jolt.
“It’s just a landing area,” he said as he jumped out and grabbed the front of the boat, yanking it half out of the water.
Sabine and Harta got out.
After Rainer tied the boat up, he went over to the side and opened a wooden door built right into the rocks.
Sabine groaned, not having the strength to climb up a single set of stairs.
“Hurry up,” Rainer said, waving her over to the door.
The thought of an assassin pursuing them was enough for her to run through the doorway. She skidded to a halt, finding herself in a three-foot by three-foot room. Rainer and the dog joined her, making the space a tight fit.
A cord hung next to the door. Rainer grabbed it, pulling it hard three times before closing the door. The three of them stood there in darkness.
“Is something supposed to happen?” she whispered, reaching down and petting Harta’s head.
“Yes. In a minute. Have a little patience.”
She shook her head and sighed. A low rumbling noise echoed through the room and then it began shaking. It felt as if they were moving. “What’s happening?”
“This is a box on pulleys.”
“Pulleys?” she said, stunned. “As in ropes are lifting this room?”
“Yes.”
Which meant she wouldn’t have to climb any more stairs, but her life hung on a couple of ropes that she sincerely hoped were strong enough to withstand the weight.
“Just try not to move too much,” Rainer said. “It’s hard to turn the lever at the top if the weight shifts or is unbalanced.”
“Someone is up there?” She thought they were going to be alone on the island.
“I have three trusted servants that live here full time. When I decided we were coming, my steward raised a yellow flag. The staff here knows that when it’s raised, I’m on my way.”
The small room abruptly came to a halt. The door opened and Sabine stepped out and onto the top of the island, gawking at the amazing sight before her. Straight ahead was the mainland she’d been on. She squinted, trying to see the palace, but it was too far away. The wind whipped around her body, tossing her hair about. She breathed in the salty air, loving the freshness of it.
“Come inside,” Rainer said.
She was standing on a breezeway that connected the box she’d just been in to the castle. “It looks as if the place was birthed from the island itself.”
“It sort of was,” he replied. “The island is so hard and rocky, most of the exterior was carved right from it.”
They had to be forty feet above the ocean. She followed Rainer, Harta right behind her.
Inside the castle, chilly air engulfed her along with dim lighting. This place didn’t have the open airy archways that the palace did. While there were several windows along the left wall, they were all closed. The ceiling and walls were made from stone, and the floor was dark wood. “It’s vastly different from the palace.” And it seemed much older.
“I don’t ever entertain here,” he said as he strode across the room. Large sofas and low tables were situated on an area rug. An empty hearth was to the right. “Lance,” Rainer called out. “We’re inside.”
A shuffling noise came from a nearby room, and then an elderly man entered. “Your Majesty,” the man smiled as he bowed. “It’s good to see you. I finished setting up your bedchamber and was just about to light the fire in here.”
“It’s good to see you as well,” Rainer said. “Where’s Mika?”
“Mika is closing off the lift. He’ll remain there, guarding the entrance.” The elderly man peered over at Sabine, his brows raising.
“Lance, this is my fiancée, Princess Sabine Ludwig.”
“My future queen.” Lance bowed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Lance runs this place for me,” Rainer explained. “He lives here along with his wife, Cassie, and their son, Mika.”
Lance reached forward, so Sabine removed her bag, handing it to him.
“I’ll have Cassie prepare you something to eat,” Lance said. “I’ll also make sure that the dog is taken care of. Will you be needing anything else?”
Rainer glanced at Sabine, eyeing her. “We may be needing a marriage binder.”
“Whatever for?” she asked.
Rainer rubbed his face. “I think I know who hired the assassin,” he said, suddenly looking anywhere but at her. “If we’re married and you’re queen, it changes things. To stop this person, we need to marry.”
“Now?” Shock filled her and her brain tried processing what he was saying.
“Unless you want to give the assassin another go?”
“No, I’d rather not.” She’d already agreed to marry him. It made no difference if it was today or three weeks from now.
“Then we need to marry and crown you as soon as possible.”
“What about the Avoni delegation? And the approval from the League?”
His shoulders rose and fell. “Those are two complications I’ll deal with once I know you’re safe.”