Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
“I’m here,” Evander said, one hand against Sabine’s lower back and his other hand gently holding her head against his shoulder.
Sabine breathed him in. When he kissed the top of her head, she pulled back, looking at him. “What are you doing here?” Not only in Lynk, but on her balcony.
“I had to see you.” His eyes roamed over her body, examining her. “Are you all right?”
“I am.”
He let out a big breath. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
She grabbed his shirt and pulled him into her bedchamber. She didn’t think anyone would be able to see them out on the balcony at night, but she couldn’t be sure. Since no candles had been lit, her room remained dark and it felt safer in there.
When Sabine had said goodbye to Evander in Avoni, she didn’t think she’d be seeing him any time soon. “I’ve missed you.” More than she’d thought possible.
“I’ve been so worried about you.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Are Markis and your brother here with you?”
“No, they both went back to Bakley.”
“You’re all alone?” he asked.
“Not anymore, now that you’re here.” She had so many questions for him—like how he’d gotten into the palace. But all she could think about was touching him. She reached forward, placing her hand on his chest and breathing him in.
His hands came up to her shoulders, rubbing them. “Sabine,” he whispered.
She’d always loved the way he said her name.
“You need to know that I officially arrive tomorrow.”
She nodded.
“I’ve come to collect my bride.”
She froze, the temperature feeling like it had suddenly dropped ten degrees.
“But I had to come and see you first. I need to know that you’re okay.”
His words felt like a knife to her heart. He reached down, placing his hand under her jaw and tilting her head up so he could see into her eyes. “You’re unharmed?” he asked, his voice low and husky. “Rainer hasn’t hurt you?”
“I’m fine,” she revealed. “He fears you and I were intimate, so he refuses to share my bed until I’ve had a cycle.”
“He suspects we had an affair?” Evander asked.
“I’ve assured him we have not been together,” she said.
He took a step back, his hands going to his hips as he gazed at something behind her. “As long as he hasn’t hurt you.”
“There’s something I should have told you before, in Avoni.” She shouldn’t have waited this long to tell him, especially after everything they’d been through together.
“What is it?” He reached out, his hands going to her arms. “You can tell me anything.”
“Rainer and I…we haven’t…” This was harder than it should be. “We haven’t consummated our marriage.” She rolled her shoulders back, trying to stand tall.
Evander stilled. “Your marriage isn’t consummated?”
“No.”
“Does anyone else know?”
“Only my brother. He told me not to tell anyone.”
Evander nodded. “Your brother’s right—don’t tell anyone.”
“I was more concerned that I hadn’t told you than as to how others would perceive the news,” she admitted.
“While I personally am thrilled, I’m worried on your behalf. If your marriage isn’t consummated, you can be arrested and relieved of your position here. You’d have very little protection.” He ran a hand over his face again. “Now I can see why you were so adamant about us not being together.”
“If I could choose who to experience my first time with, it would be you,” she whispered, her heart fracturing from the admission knowing they could never be together.
He stepped closer to her, his hand coming up, cupping her cheek. “Sabine.”
She closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of his hand on her face. “I’ve missed you.”
He dropped his forehead to hers. “I need you to promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“If something goes wrong, if something happens to me, promise me you’ll leave the palace. I want you to go to the League’s house and wait there until your brother comes for you.”
“What are you planning to do while you’re here?” she asked, wondering if he had an assassination mission of his own.
“I can’t tell you. But if things go badly, you need to get out of here.”
Gazing into his green eyes, she couldn’t imagine anything happening to him. “You want me to leave my subjects? Abandon my kingdom?”
“Yes. It’s for your own safety.”
She didn’t know if she could do that. Hiding away didn’t seem like it would solve anything.
“Sabine, promise me.”
“I took an oath.”
“But your marriage isn’t consummated. The oath might not be binding. Your life might end up being in jeopardy.”
She needed to know. “Is there another assassin after me?”
He didn’t say anything.
“People have been turning up dead here in Lynk,” she said. “Do you know anything about that?”
“The less you know, the better,” he answered.
She didn’t know how to respond to that. If the two of them could just be open and honest, then they could work together. But he was a prince from Avoni and she was the queen of Lynk. They had each made vows to protect their respective kingdoms.
“I wish,” she said, but then thought better of it.
“What do you wish?” he probed. “Tell me.”
“I wish there was a way for us to be together.”
The corners of his lips pulled into a smile. “I wish that as well.” He kissed her cheek. “I need to get back to my ship.”
“Be safe,” she whispered.
He went over to the wall beside the archway, gripped the uneven stones, and hauled himself upward. Within minutes, he was out of sight. Her assassin-pirate-prince.
Harper burst into Sabine’s room, waking her. “Your Majesty,” Harper said, coming to sit on the edge of the bed. “I have news.”
Sabine rubbed her eyes, sitting up. “What is it?”
“A ship flying Avoni’s royal flag has been spotted. The king wants you dressed for receiving guests.” She pulled Sabine’s covers back.
“Any word on who’s here?” Sabine asked as she stood and stretched, knowing it had to be Evander.
“Not officially. But the king asked for you to wear blue. I heard him say something about it being Prince Evander coming here for Lottie.” Harper dropped her voice to a whisper. “Do you think the prince is an assassin? My mother said everyone in Avoni is an assassin.”
Sabine knelt and gave Harta good morning kisses. “Who knows. Maybe you can ask him when you meet him.”
“Yeah right,” Harper said. “I don’t need an assassin coming after me. I think I’ll stay away.” Harper went into the closet. “You want to wear something my sister made?” she yelled.
“Yes, please,” she called out. Then softer, she whispered to Harta, “You’re lucky you can stay here and lounge around. That you don’t have to see the man you love with another woman—especially someone as vile as Lottie.”
“I have just the thing for you to wear,” Harper said as she came out of the closet, carrying an outfit with her. “And it’ll make you look so pretty the assassin won’t even think about killing you.”
Sabine stood and chuckled. While Harper was a little rough on the edges, she provided a ray of light in this otherwise dreary palace.
Once dressed, Sabine went over to the door leading to the royal suite and knocked. Gunther admitted her. She found Rainer stretched out on the sofa, his feet propped up on the low table, a glass with some sort of ale in his right hand. He had on dark blue pants and a matching tunic.
“You look nice,” she said.
He tilted his head, looking her over. “And you look stunning.”
She smiled. Only in Lynk would someone think her outfit stunning. She showed more skin than fabric. Regardless, the blue matched his clothing perfectly. The sheer material accentuated her breasts and legs, a string of pearls wrapped around her body to hold the fabric in place.
Rainer stood, setting his glass on the low table. “Sometimes I forget how beautiful you are.” His hand reached out to her shoulder, trailing down her arm to her wrist.
She shivered.
“Your skin is so smooth.” He gripped her wrist.
Unease filled her. His touch felt too predatory—so different from Evander’s. “I was told you wanted me dressed for a visitor?” she said, hoping to remind him that they had somewhere to be. She glanced around, not seeing Gunther or any other guards on duty.
“Yes.” His other hand reached for her free arm, sliding down and encircling that wrist as well.
She held still, trying not to react to his touch.
His eyes roamed over her body and he took a step closer to her, licking his lips.
She automatically took a step back, wanting to keep some space between them. Her heart beat frantically. “You said you wouldn’t touch me until I bled.”
He chuckled, the sound low and throaty. “No, I said I wouldn’t share your bed. Two very different things.”
Her brows pulled together in confusion as she tried to think of a way out of this mess.
He reached up, touching her bottom lip, causing her to jerk slightly at his touch. “What are you doing?” she demanded.
“Hmm…so jumpy. I’m beginning to think you haven’t slept with another man.”
At that, she rolled her eyes. “I told you I haven’t been intimate with anyone.” When she’d traveled alone with Evander, they had shared a bed. While nothing untoward had happened, she wanted to make sure she was clear so she wouldn’t be caught in a lie.
He leaned down, his lips nearing hers.
Instinct made her pull away. “I’m sorry.
” She took a step back, putting some space between them.
“The thought of you kissing Heather and sharing a bed with her makes me feel dirty.” Admitting this to him was difficult.
Heather was Rainer’s age, and she was one of the most beautiful women Sabine had ever seen.
While Sabine knew Rainer didn’t love her, she still wanted them to have a marriage like her parents had. She wanted him to be true to her.
His eyes flashed with anger. “What I do with Heather is none of your business—it has nothing to do with you. You’re my wife. I can do with you as I please.”