Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
“It looks like you have nothing on but diamonds,” Rainer said as he joined Sabine in the sitting room. “I’ve never seen anything like it—you’re stunning.” She stood still as he walked around her, examining her from all angles. “You’ll outshine everyone tonight.”
That was the goal. “Shall we go?” She headed for the door, not wanting to be alone with him in the royal suite.
Rainer took her arm, escorting her out into the hallway. He wore loose black pants and an open tunic, exposing his toned chest and stomach.
Sabine assumed they’d be going to the ballroom.
However, Rainer led her to the other side of the palace, stopping before a large archway covered with flowers which opened to an enormous balcony.
At least two hundred guests were present, some already dancing.
A group of musicians was situated off to the side.
The black marble flooring reflected the stars in the night sky, creating a magical effect.
“Your outfit matches perfectly,” Rainer said.
“This is breathtaking.” Sabine had never been to a ball outside on a balcony before.
The herald introduced the two of them and they passed beneath the archway, striding out onto the balcony, going straight to the middle of the dancing area for their traditional first dance. Everyone stepped back to watch the two of them.
Rainer took Sabine’s hand while his other one went to the small of her back.
She placed her free hand on his shoulder.
The music began, the song slow and inscrutable, somehow matching the mood of the night perfectly.
Rainer kept his focus on Sabine, intense and unwavering.
He spun her around, pulling her back to him, a little closer this time.
The heat from his torso pressed against her bare stomach, feeling intimate.
Scandalous. As the music slowed, coming to a close, Rainer leaned down, brushing his lips against Sabine’s.
Her face flushed with embarrassment. Kissing wasn’t something people did in public.
But she was in Lynk now so maybe it wasn’t frowned upon like it was in Bakley.
The music ended, and the two of them stepped back from each other, turning to face the crowd.
Rainer invited the guests of honor to dance. Evander and Lottie came forward, arm in arm.
Sabine and Rainer stood off to the side, watching the two of them move around the dance floor.
They made an odd couple. While Lottie looked beautiful in a lavender dress that only covered what was necessary, exposing large amounts of skin, her dark hair in soft waves along her back, she was at odds with Evander who donned a typical Avoni outfit—long sleeves and pants, both black with red stitching along the edges, covering almost every inch of his body.
The only skin visible was that on his face.
His hands were even covered with gloves.
As the two of them danced, neither one spoke.
Lottie smiled the entire time, looking at Evander from under her lashes, but his focus seemed to be somewhere over her head.
When the song came to an end, Rainer went to dance with his sister. After hesitating a moment, Sabine stepped forward, not sure if she should dance with Evander.
Not missing a beat, Evander strode to Sabine, holding out his hand to her. “May I please have this dance?”
Since those present were still watching the royal couples dance, she gave a single nod and slid her hand into his.
Even though she couldn’t feel his skin, just touching him sent a jolt of heat up her arm and to her heart.
She didn’t want to be so attracted to Evander, but she couldn’t help it.
Her body had a mind of its own. Which was crazy because when she’d first met him, she hadn’t thought of him as handsome at all.
It had happened slowly, over time, as she got to know him.
The music began again, another slow and emotionally moving song. They kept a respectable distance between them as they danced, though Sabine didn’t dare meet his green eyes. She didn’t trust her body to react appropriately.
“You look…” His voice trailed off, his lips barely moving as he spoke.
“I know it’s not Avoni fashion.” Like Bakley, his kingdom would consider her outfit highly inappropriate.
“No,” he cleared his throat, “it most certainly is not Avoni fashion.”
At that, she glanced up, making the terrible mistake of gazing into his dark green eyes.
Her breath caught at the emotion she saw swirling in them.
Want, appreciation, desire. Her skin felt like it was on fire.
She quickly glanced away, trying to appear aloof as she focused on the people in attendance.
“You’ve been busy,” Evander said.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve only just arrived here in Lynk and I can already see everyone here loves you. You’re all anyone talks about. Your kindness, beauty, how much you care about the common folk. You’ve won them over.”
“Must be my scandalous outfits,” she joked.
“Careful,” he said. “You’re smiling. I don’t want anyone to think you’re having fun with me. I’m from Avoni.” His thumb rubbed circles on her palm.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispered. Evander had such an easy way of making her feel at home.
He sighed. “Please don’t lick your bottom lip like that,” he mumbled. “It’s hard enough to touch you without touching you. If you lick your lip like that again, my composure will slip, and I’m barely hanging on as it is.”
Her body tensed at his words. Such simple words that evoked so many emotions. “Please don’t marry Lottie.” The words slipped out before she thought better of it.
“Sabine, I have to.” His grip tightened ever so slightly.
“But you don’t love her.”
“If it keeps Rainer from declaring war against Avoni, if it saves my people, it’s a small price to pay.”
“She’ll never make you happy.”
He closed his eyes for a couple of seconds. When he opened them, he said, “I had to stand there and watch you dance with Rainer. I had to watch his eyes roam over your body, as if he’s entitled to it. When his lips caressed yours…”
“I haven’t shared a bed with him.”
“But you will.” When she went to protest, he shook his head. “My point is simply that I know what it feels like, so you don’t need to tell me. I understand. It hurts.”
“I don’t want to share his bed. Ever.” The words came out barely a whisper.
“I know you. You’ll share his bed if it means saving your subjects.” He raised his brows, daring her to tell him he was wrong.
“For once I’d like to do what I want,” she mumbled.
“We could, you know.”
“What do you mean?” Her heart began to pound, demanding to know if there was a way for them to be together.
“Just say the word, and I’ll get you out of here. We can run away together.”
Her feet froze, and she stood there staring at him. “You’d do that?” He’d run away with her knowing it would put Avoni at risk—his family, his subjects, his assassin guild?
He nodded.
The song ended.
“The question is, would you?” He bowed then turned, going over to Lottie and taking her hand. The crowd descended upon them, consuming the dance floor, as a lively tune began playing.
Sabine remained standing there, dumbfounded. Evander would run away with her, but she couldn’t even consider the possibility. As much as she wanted to, she wouldn’t abandon her people. If she did, then Alina’s death would have been for nothing. She needed to stay and fight.
“Queen Sabine,” Commander Felix said, bowing before her. “A dance?”
She nodded and took Felix’s hand. He spoke of unassuming topics, none of which held her interest because she couldn’t stop thinking about Evander.
At the end of the song, he whispered, “The report you requested is in your room. I put it under your mattress. Please let me know if you need anything else.” He bowed.
Axel stepped in front of her, requesting the next dance. “I’m not sure where to put my hands,” he said. “You look practically naked. I’m afraid to touch something I shouldn’t.”
She rolled her eyes. All necessary parts were covered with skin colored fabric.
“If I move one of these strands of diamonds, will they all fall off?” He cocked his head to the side.
Sabine chose to ignore that comment. Instead, she asked, “Why isn’t Rainer dancing?” He stood off to the side, his arms folded, not even talking with anyone.
“People are upset with Rainer.” His eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Because he wants to go to war with other kingdoms?” If that was the case, maybe she could convince him to stand down. Maybe Felix could even talk with Rainer.
He shook his head. “You honestly don’t know?”
Annoyance filled her. “If I knew, we obviously wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“Well, my dear Sabine, it seems the people of Lynk love you. They’re upset with Rainer for flaunting his mistress around court. Haven’t you noticed she’s not here tonight? Normally, she’d be at an event like this.”
It hadn’t crossed her mind to even look for the woman—she’d been too distracted by Evander.
“Whatever you’re doing,” Axel continued, “keep doing it. Right now, Rainer is attempting to rectify his reputation. You must understand, Lynk hasn’t had a queen in quite some time.
” He pushed her back, holding her at arm’s length.
“And right now, you’re the most beautiful queen our kingdom has ever had.
” Axel twirled her around before pulling her back into his arms. “What’s even more impressive is that you seem innocent, but I think you know exactly what you’re doing.
When you first arrived here, I didn’t think you’d survive Rainer.
Now, I don’t think he’s going to survive you. ”
The song ended.
Axel winked then turned to find another partner.