Chapter 8 #2
As far as Sabine was concerned, this was war—and this dress was her armor.
With shaking hands, she stepped farther into the room, hoping not everyone thought she had an agenda.
But by the end of tonight, she wanted every single person here at court on her side.
Not that they had to denounce or even dislike Rainer.
She just wanted them to sympathize with her.
She’d worry about ruining Rainer’s reputation later—if he didn’t do that all on his own with his mistress.
When Anton caught a glimpse of the back, he cursed. “What are you doing? This isn’t like you.”
“She’s our queen,” Axel said. “Tonight, she is the epitome of what a Lynk queen should be.”
“Yes, but every man will be drooling over her,” Anton said.
“I think that’s the point.” Axel chuckled again, his eyes connecting with Sabine’s. “For the record, I’m on your side.”
Anton stood. “Is this because Rainer brought Heather here?”
“I don’t wish to discuss my husband’s mistress,” she replied. “But no, nothing I do is because of that woman. Lynk is my priority.”
The door swung open, and Rainer strode inside. When he spotted Sabine, he froze mid-step, his gaze slowly traveling from her head to toe and back up. He swallowed, then blinked twice.
Axel chuckled. “I believe the party has already started.” He stood. “Shall we enter together or separately?”
“The two of you can go ahead,” Rainer said. He cleared his throat. “I’d like a moment alone with Sabine.”
She wasn’t sure she wanted a moment alone with him, but she didn’t protest.
Anton and Axel opened the side door, music and laughter spilling into the antechamber. Their names were announced, then the door closed, leaving Sabine alone with Rainer.
“You look exquisite,” Rainer said, coming closer to her.
Another reason she wore the scantily clad outfit—to prove to everyone she was not with child.
Her flat stomach was on full display for everyone to see, only decorated with the strings of diamonds.
She feared Rainer would try passing off Heather’s child as Sabine’s, and she refused to take part in something so deceiving.
“As do you.” His solid black loose pants and tunic contrasted nicely with the soft white of her dress. Sabine had always found him handsome. His husky voice, alluring manner, and good looks all pulled her in, making her want to trust him. But she’d learned it was all an act.
“I heard you fired Claire,” he said.
“I did.” She didn’t want to have this conversation with him, at least not now, so she turned and headed toward the door. When she reached it, she glanced over her shoulder at him. “Are you coming?”
He nodded, his focus on her backside. “We, uh, need to set aside some time to talk.”
“So long as we’re talking and you’re not lecturing, I’m more than amiable.”
His eyes narrowed but he didn’t respond. He came to her side, holding his arm out for her.
Just as the door swung open, she slid her hand onto his arm, and they were announced.
The people in the ballroom began cheering since this was the first time the two of them had been introduced as the king and queen of Lynk.
Similar to last time Sabine had been in this room for a ball, hundreds of candles hung from the domed ceiling, casting the room in a soft light.
The archways surrounding the room remained open, the warm air breezing in.
This time, thousands of flowers adorned the archways, balcony, and walls, filling the room with a sweet smell.
Rainer led Sabine to the middle of the room, then turned to face her, their subjects forming a loose circle around them.
The musicians began playing a slow tune.
Rainer slid one hand into Sabine’s, while his other rested lightly on her hip.
They began moving to the music. At first, she feared her dress couldn’t handle the dance.
However, the king made sure to move slowly.
She focused past him, observing those present, trying to decide who she should dance with next.
“Is it too much to ask for your focus to be on me?” Rainer mumbled close to her ear, sending a shiver along Sabine’s spine.
She forced her eyes to remain on Rainer as they danced.
“Do you not have anything to say to me?” he asked.
“No, I have nothing to say that would be deemed appropriate with so many ears close by.”
The corners of his lips turned up. “You can be inappropriate with me. After all, I am your husband.”
How dare he try to flirt with her now. She wanted to scowl at him but kept her face pleasant. “Where’s Heather?”
His hand on hers tightened. “She’s not here tonight.” His other hand trailed up her back, over the diamond strands. “I am trying.”
“You’re trying to do what?” she asked.
“Be a good husband.”
She laughed. “I didn’t realize you knew what the word meant.”
“So you are jealous of Heather,” he purred.
“No, I’m not.”
“Then what’s the problem? Why the attitude?”
She sucked in a breath. “Do you honestly not know?”
He shook his head.
“Your sister killed my sister. She tried to kill me.”
“I’ve taken care of the situation. You have nothing to worry about.” His voice sounded irritated, as if talking to a petulant child.
“My sister deserves justice,” Sabine whispered, not wanting her hatred and anger to seep through. Not when she was trying to win over those present.
“And my sister deserves a second chance.”
Sabine was about to argue when the song ended and another one began. She took an abrupt step back from Rainer, forcing him to release her.
The crowd closed in on Sabine. Several men she recognized from the various parties she’d attended asked for her hand.
Smiling sweetly, she accepted Duke Vadil’s arm, and they began dancing.
She spotted Rainer on the far side of the room, leaning against the wall, his arms folded, watching her.
As she danced, she made sure to ask personable questions about the duke, his family, his land, and if he had any concerns she should be aware of.
She assured him she was on his side. At the end of the song, he thanked her for her time.
Commander Felix was nearby, so Sabine grabbed him for the next dance. After him, she danced with several other high ranking military officers.
During a dance with a lieutenant, he told her not to worry, that they would find the person responsible for the murders.
At first, she thought he meant her sister and her own attempted assassination.
However, he mentioned that the murders were confined to military camps, so she knew he wasn’t referring to her.
Thinking back to one of the dinner parties, she recalled someone mentioning that people were turning up dead.
She wondered if this was the same thing or something else entirely.
When she danced with Cutler, he didn’t speak much.
After him, Anton took a turn. “How are you holding up?” he asked. “There are quite a few people here who seem to be insistent on dancing with you.”
“I’m having a splendid time,” she crooned. What she really wanted to discuss with him were these murders. However, she didn’t want to tip her hand that she was receiving so much information voluntarily. Anton was a smart man and would probably figure out what she was doing pretty easily.
“I suppose you should know that the League has approved Prince Evander’s union with Princess Lottie.”
Sabine stiffened. “Rainer is still going to marry her off?” Lottie should be in jail, not shipped off to another kingdom.
“It solves his problem.”
“She can still do damage from Avoni.” Lottie needed to pay for having Alina killed. It wasn’t fair she got to marry Evander. Her heart felt as if it were being squeezed.
Anton leaned closer. “Is that why you’re really upset?” he whispered in her ear.
“What do you mean?” He couldn’t possibly know that she had feelings for Evander.
“Rainer is sending her away where she can’t hurt you. What more do you want?”
“We have laws. Lottie shouldn’t be above them. It isn’t fair.”
He nodded.
“I don’t wish to discuss Lottie tonight,” she whispered.
“Fair enough. You should also know that the League approved your brother’s marriage to Carin.”
Sabine still thought that was an odd pairing.
Anton continued, “Carin will be living in Bakley along with a dozen Avoni men serving as her guards. They have agreed to work with Bakley’s army.”
Anton didn’t have to disclose the details of the marriage treaty but he had. Sabine filed that information away to think about later since he’d most likely told her for a reason.
Axel appeared over Anton’s shoulder. “All right, brother. You’ve monopolized Sabine long enough. It’s my turn.”
Anton squeezed her hand, his eyes holding hers for a moment, as if warning her.
She thought back to her time at the League’s house in Nisk.
Anton had revealed that he’d lied to Rainer to protect her.
She didn’t think he had any special affection for her, but rather he was protecting his own interests. Regardless, she gave him a slight nod.
Axel slid in front of her, a lazy smile on his face. “About time I get a turn with my sister.”
Exhaustion filled her. For the past several hours, she’d smiled at her dance partners while asking questions, trying to learn their secrets and gain their trust. Suddenly it became too much, and she wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep.
“You know, the flowers are all for you,” he said, waving a hand around the room.
“Are they from the townspeople?” She’d suspected as much since they were the same type of flowers they gave her when she went into town.
He nodded. “When they arrived, Rainer was furious.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “I assume because the people love you.”
“All I did was go shopping.” In reality, she’d wanted their trust and loyalty as well. Hopefully, this was a sign she was making progress.
Axel glanced over toward his brother. “Be careful,” he murmured, close to her ear. “Rainer has been drinking, and his temper is going to snap.”
“His temper?” She didn’t know why he’d be the one upset. His sister was still alive, his lover was in the palace, and he seemed to get whatever he wanted. “Has he danced with anyone tonight?”
“No.”
Usually the duchesses and nobles enjoyed dancing with him. “Why not?” she asked. Maybe it had something to do with them being married now.
“People have been avoiding him.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “Given that Heather’s not here, I’m guessing he’s trying to do damage control.
“What do you mean?”
“Heather is only a commoner, and he has been flaunting her around the court. I think people are getting tired of his antics. You’re the queen, you’re perfect, and he should be with you.”
She glanced about the room, searching for Rainer, but not finding him.
“I’m serious, Sabine. Go to the rooftop, visit a friend, but don’t take the obvious route to your room. Even though you have guards, they can’t defy the king.”
Goosebumps covered her arms and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She never thought Rainer would hurt her. “Why are you telling me this?”
He looked her in the eyes. “For the first time in my life, you’ve given me hope. I’d hate to see it destroyed.” With that, he bowed and left, melting into the crowd of people.
Sabine decided she’d had enough dancing for the night. As soon as she exited the ballroom, her guards surrounded her.
“If I may, Your Majesty,” Drew said as they headed along the hallway, “the stars are looking particularly bright tonight. Shall I escort you to the rooftop? I believe your lady’s maid is there.”
She eyed him sidelong, wondering if he knew Rainer had been drinking. “That sounds like a lovely idea,” she lied. Her feet were aching and she wanted to crawl into bed.
Her guards led the way to a section of the palace she’d never been in before. It was almost as if they were deliberately avoiding the royal wing.
At a door, Drew unlocked it, revealing a stairwell. “Harper is up there.”
In other words, proof that she wasn’t with another man. Sabine dragged her feet up the steps, finding her lady’s maid sitting on a blanket, watching the stars.
Sabine sat next to her, thankful she had people who cared enough to watch out for her and keep her safe. She vowed to make sure they were all taken care of.