The Royal Throne (League of Rulers #3)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

At the bow of the ship, Sabine gazed toward the coastline where rows of Lynk soldiers held their formation with rigid precision. Just ahead of them, Rainer stood clad in leather armor, a sword strapped to his waist. He looked every bit the formidable and unyielding king he was known to be.

“I didn’t expect to receive this sort of reception,” Otto mumbled as he leaned against the railing next to Sabine.

“King Rainer wants to remind us of his military might,” Markis quipped.

“As long as he isn’t here to arrest me, I can handle him,” Sabine said.

For days, she’d been crafting different plans to keep Rainer from waging war.

But seeing her husband in full military attire sent a chill of foreboding through her—and at the same time, it strengthened her resolve.

Now, she knew exactly which path to take.

“He doesn’t have anything to arrest you for,” Otto insisted. “Regardless, that’s why I’m here. As a League representative and a fellow ruler, I can help you.” He squeezed her shoulder in reassurance.

While her brother might think he had sway with Rainer, Sabine knew better. Rainer did what he wanted. In order to stop him, she’d have to beat him using his own tactics. The only reason she’d allowed Otto to accompany her was so that he could escort the stolen Bakley children home.

The ship pulled up next to the dock, and the anchor was dropped. Bakley soldiers finished bringing in the sails before extending the gangplank. Sabine approached it, her hair tossing in the wind.

“I’ll go first,” Markis said, easily making his way across the narrow strip of wood.

Sabine followed her guard, her legs wobbly.

Once on the dock, a wave of nausea hit her.

It seemed like everything around her was moving up and down.

The last time she felt this way, Evander had given her some sort of root to chew which instantly calmed her stomach.

She wished she had it now. Shoving all thoughts of Evander aside, she focused solely on her husband as she walked along the dock.

She would not—could not—think about Evander and how much she missed him.

Such dangerous thoughts would only get her killed.

As she made her way to shore, Rainer kept his eyes trained on her.

She had no idea what he was thinking or what he planned to do once they reunited.

She needed to stick to the story Anton had told him—that she’d left to see her brother.

Under no circumstances could she reveal that Evander had kidnapped her.

Markis stepped off the dock, then turned and held out his hand for her.

She took it, allowing him to help her onto the sandy beach.

Keeping her focus on the king, she assumed her brother followed her as she headed straight for Rainer.

His dark hair, chocolate eyes, and the strong cut of his jawline made him devastatingly handsome. But looks could be deceiving.

When she was about three feet away from him, she stopped and curtseyed, taking note that neither Anton nor Axel were in attendance.

She straightened and looked Rainer in the eyes.

“It is good to be home,” she said by way of greeting, choosing her words carefully while trying to keep her voice strong, as if nothing were wrong.

Right now, she needed to appear young, innocent, and naive.

It was one of the reasons she chose to wear the dress she did.

It was from Bakley, so by Lynk’s standards, totally inappropriate since it covered her from neck to ankles.

Rainer’s eyes remained locked with hers for an uncomfortable minute before he glanced over her shoulder.

She stepped aside and gestured to her brother. “May I present Prince Otto Ludwig of Bakley.”

Otto bowed his head in a polite gesture. “King Rainer Manfred, it is a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Captain Higman stepped around them. “Your Majesty.”

“Report,” Rainer ordered.

“We spotted the Bakley ship sailing north in the river. I boarded, found our queen, and remained to ensure her safety.”

“Besides these two, are any other royals on board?” Rainer demanded, his right hand clutching the hilt of his sword as if ready to pull it out and decapitate someone.

Cold terror slid down Sabine’s spine as she realized he was referring to Evander.

If her husband believed the Avoni prince was aboard that ship, it explained the unusually large number of soldiers assembled.

For now, she’d feign ignorance and hope he had no proof she’d traveled alone with Evander.

She’d been meticulous about erasing every trace of their time together.

Higman shook his head. “No, Your Majesty.”

The king turned in Otto’s direction as if just seeing him for the first time.

“This is quite the greeting you have for us,” Sabine said, wanting to recapture his attention. Now it was time for her to make her move. “I’m glad you’re taking my safety seriously after what your sister did.”

“My sister?” He tilted his head to the side, his brows pulling together.

“Yes. I still can’t believe Princess Lottie hired an assassin to kill Princess Alina and myself.” She kept her voice loud and articulate so the nearby soldiers would hear.

Rainer’s eyes narrowed. “The assassination is still being investigated,” he said, a tightness to his words indicating he was irritated.

“I don’t understand.” She glanced at those around her. “Your sister—”

Rainer took an abrupt step forward, pinching her elbow and cutting her off. “We’ll discuss this matter in private.”

They stood there staring at one another.

She’d pushed him far enough for now. “Very well. I am eager to know what you’ve done to ensure my safety.” She lifted her chin in the air, glad his soldiers had overheard that his sister was guilty of treason. The first seed had been planted.

“Your orders, Your Majesty?” the soldier to the right asked.

Rainer looked at Sabine, his eyes searching hers for something. She forced herself not to flinch or cower.

“Ensure our queen makes it safely to the palace,” Rainer said, releasing her.

“Aren’t you accompanying me?” she asked her husband.

He shook his head. “I’m not done here.” He raised his right arm, and a unit of twenty soldiers moved to surround her.

Glancing at the Bakley ship, she noticed two Lynk vessels had blocked it in. “Brother, do you need to get any of your things?” She feared for the lives of the men on board. If Rainer decided to kill them, as he had the Avoni delegation, she’d feel personally responsible.

“Prince Otto,” Rainer said, “please remain here with me.” Then to Sabine, “I will have his things delivered to the palace. When you arrive, tell Claire to prepare a room for him.” He turned his back to her.

She began walking, knowing Markis would remain with Otto.

For now, she was on her own. Or, as on her own as she could be with a unit of soldiers accompanying her.

After being aboard the ship for so long, it felt good to walk and stretch her legs, though she could do without the ridiculous humidity. It was worse than she remembered.

By the time they reached the top of the mountain where the palace was located, Sabine was drenched with sweat. It was the perfect excuse to find a seamstress in town.

As they walked through the center of the business district, she spotted a shop with brightly colored fabrics and she headed for its entrance.

“Your Majesty,” the soldier closest to her said, “we have orders to escort you to the palace.”

“And you will,” she replied. “However, I’m hot and wish to put something lighter on.”

The soldier opened his mouth to respond.

Sabine held up her hand. “You are permitted to check the store before we enter and you may remain with me. The rest will stay outside.”

He nodded before barking out orders for the soldiers to spread out. Once he was satisfied the shop was safe, he escorted her inside.

The storekeeper curtseyed. “Your Majesty.” She was a pretty woman in her early thirties with dark skin, black hair, light brown eyes.

“I am in dire need of something to wear,” Sabine said, perusing the fabrics. “I’d also like to commission you to make some new outfits for me.”

“It would be my honor.”

“Do you have anything readily available for me for today?”

“I have nothing suitable for a queen. However, I am more than capable of making you whatever you desire.”

“Can you come to the palace tomorrow so we can discuss my wardrobe?” Her new and improved wardrobe.

“It would be my honor, Your Majesty.”

Sabine turned and exited the shop, pleased another part of her plan was already underway.

Without acknowledging the soldiers, she headed toward the palace. When they reached the cliff at the end of the town, the wood planks lowered to form a bridge. No matter how many times she’d witnessed this, she still found the entire construction fascinating.

The sun remained high overhead, no clouds in sight. Thankfully, only a slight wind blew. Sabine started across the bridge as a group of palace guards headed straight for her. They each wore the traditional black tunic, pants, and mask.

At the half-way point, the soldiers accompanying her stopped.

Sabine left their protection, stepping closer to the palace guards.

When she was five feet from them, she paused and spoke loud enough to address both groups of men.

“Who is responsible for making arrests?” she asked.

“Does that jurisdiction fall to Lynk’s soldiers or to the palace guards? ”

One of the soldiers spoke. “It depends on the situation. Normally, the soldiers handle such matters. However, if the incident takes place inside the palace walls, the palace guards handle it.”

She tried to hide her smile, knowing she was about to infuriate Rainer. Facing the palace guards, she spoke loud enough for the soldiers behind her to hear as well. “Princess Lottie hired an assassin to kill Princess Alina and myself. Since she committed treason, I want her arrested.”