Chapter 14 #2
Evander shrugged. “We’ll probably live in mine.
It’s the smallest of the palaces since I’m the youngest. It’s a simple four-room structure.
It’s pretty secluded, so it’s safe. But there’s always a risk an assassin will come for me.
I’m not home often since I’m out on missions most days.
I’ll try to find someone who can live at the house to help you, though I’m not sure where that person will sleep.
” He scratched the back of his head. “You need to understand that our palaces are nothing like yours. They’re small and humble.
For us, it’s all about safety from the warring assassin guilds. ”
Lottie’s face had gone white about half-way through Evander’s speech. She turned to her brother. “Are you marrying me off to Avoni so I can end up dead?”
Sabine had to keep her focus on her food so she wouldn’t start laughing. Lottie would hate Avoni.
“Don’t be dramatic,” Rainer replied. “No one there will know who you are, so no one will want to kill you. Unless you open your mouth and annoy them. From what Evander has told me, you’ll be fairly secluded, so the chance of that happening is slim.”
Sabine coughed to mask her snicker.
“Avoni doesn’t have an army,” Evander said. “Just five warring assassin guilds. But my family has control. At least for now, so we should be fine.” He picked up his fork and began eating.
Lottie started picking at her food—she seemed no longer in the mood to talk.
After supper, Rainer excused himself to walk Lottie back to her room. Anton and Evander left to pack their bags in order to depart immediately for the League meeting being held tomorrow. Axel mentioned something about needing to visit a woman and a bed being involved.
In the few moments Sabine had with Evander before supper, she hadn’t been able to warn him about having Lottie arrested.
However, since he was going to be out of the palace for a couple of days, that might work in her favor.
Rainer couldn’t take his frustration out on Evander if he wasn’t here.
Hopefully he wouldn’t come after Sabine.
The candles flickered, a soft wind cascading into the room.
Drew stepped inside. “Your Majesty,” he said. “It’s time.”
She stood and faced him. “You’re going with Captain Lithane now?”
“Yes. Erikin is taking over for me. I suggest you not be in your room. Go somewhere the king can’t find you, but make sure someone is with you so you have an alibi.”
Sabine took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Okay. Good luck.”
“Once we have her in the dungeon, Captain Lithane and I will remain guarding her until she’s brought before the court tomorrow. Expect an announcement to be made either later tonight or first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you.”
He bowed then left.
Out in the hallway, Sabine found Erikin and her guards waiting. They headed through the palace. As she walked by one of the courtyards, she spotted Karmen with a handful of women at her side.
“Good evening, ladies,” Sabine said as she passed Karmen and the others.
They all curtseyed and smiled.
“Your Majesty,” Karmen called after her, “a moment please.”
Sabine turned around and faced the group. “Of course.” She folded her hands together.
“We are having a disagreement,” Karmen said. “Perhaps you can settle it for us?”
“I’m not sure how much help I can be,” Sabine replied.
Up ahead, a handful of guards ran past heading toward the royal wing.
It had to be something involving Lottie.
Unease took root. The guards were probably escorting the princess to the dungeon at this moment.
Hopefully they would use the inner hallways instead of going through one of the populated courtyards, such as this one.
“We need to know which lord is more handsome,” Karmen said. “Lord Garnet or Lord Henly?”
Sabine forced herself to laugh so no one would realize how uneasy she was at the moment. “I’m sorry, but I’m not familiar with either gentleman, so I can’t give you an answer.”
“Lord Garnet is on the upper level to your left,” Karmen said. “He’s the one in green.”
Sabine peered in that direction. “Oh, he is good looking.” He had blond hair, appeared to be in his thirties, and his skin was golden.
“Lord Henly is over there, to the right. The one in blue.”
“Hmm,” Sabine said. Henly looked to be in his late twenties with dark hair similar to Rainer’s. “I think I prefer Lord Garnet.”
“I knew it!” Karmen said, slapping her leg. “And we have a winner.”
The ladies all laughed.
Another group of guards ran by.
“Does anyone know what’s going on?” Karmen asked in a soft voice, her focus directed at Sabine.
Given that word would spread soon enough, Sabine decided to tell them.
“Princess Lottie has been arrested.” There was a collective gasp.
“As some of you may have heard, the princess hired an assassin to kill my sister, Princess Alina. She also hired an assassin to kill me. The king chose to do nothing since she’s his sister.
However, the law doesn’t work that way, so I intervened. ”
The women’s eyes widened, and no one spoke.
Sabine faced Karmen. Sweat prickled along her arms and neck. These were the people who’d determine Lottie’s fate. If Karmen wasn’t on her side, no one else would be either.
“Good for you, honey,” Karmen said. “It’s about time someone respects our laws here in Lynk.” She moved closer to Sabine, wrapping an arm around the queen’s shoulders. “Since you’re new to Lynk, do you know that this means the king and the princes will be arrested as well?”
“I know that when Lottie is found guilty, they’ll face the same fate as her, but I didn’t realize they’d be arrested as well.” Drew hadn’t mentioned anything about arresting the king and princes.
Karmen nodded. “They’ll be arrested and thrown in the dungeon so they can’t run. That’s how the law works.”
Dread filled Sabine. She didn’t know Rainer would be arrested tonight.
But at least that meant he couldn’t hurt her.
However, Drew had warned her to watch out for Rainer’s temper and to remain out of his reach for the evening.
With Rainer in the dungeon, there was no need for Sabine to worry about him coming after her.
Another group of guards ran by.
Karmen shook her head. “Something’s not right. Let’s get the queen out of here.” She looped her arm around Sabine’s, leading her from the courtyard, the other ladies following close behind, Sabine’s guards trailing after the group.
They were twenty feet from the closest archway when Rainer came storming out, a hoard of guards behind him.
When he spotted Sabine, his face contorted with malicious rage. “What have you done?” he demanded, his voice filled with fury.
Sabine took a step back, fear taking over.