Chapter 17 #2
Cutler nodded. “I think that’s a good idea.
” He led her over to a group of a dozen people, both men and women, stretching.
“You can train with us. We’re going to work on hand-to-hand combat without weapons.
” Then closer to her so only she’d hear, he said, “I’ll do what I can today, but next time I’ll tailor it more specificity to your needs. ”
Sabine pulled her hair back and joined the group, her guards off to the side watching.
Cutler ran them through various drills. He’d paired himself with Sabine, making sure to give her additional techniques the others either already knew or didn’t need.
After an hour, she was sweaty but felt great.
Not only had she learned some new skills, but she’d been able to burn off a lot of her anger.
“I’ll accompany you back to the palace,” Cutler said, wiping his face with a towel.
Her guards were more than capable of escorting her, so she assumed Cutler had something he wanted to discuss with her.
As they made their way through the tunnel, Sabine thanked him for his help the other day. Instead of acknowledging the part he’d played in keeping her safe, Cutler lowered his voice and said, “Heather isn’t doing well.”
This was the first time Sabine was hearing about it. Then she remembered Claire coming to get the king yesterday. “Is her sister tending to her?”
“She is. Claire has been a great help. The pregnancy hasn’t been easy on Heather. She got sick about a week ago and isn’t getting better. I’m worried.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Sabine replied. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
He eyed her sidelong. “You want to help the woman your husband is having an affair with?”
“No. I want to help you, who I consider my friend. Heather is your wife. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.”
Nodding, he replied, “Thank you. I appreciate that. But there is nothing you can do. I am telling you this so you may understand that the king is a bit more temperamental than usual.”
Regardless of the circumstances, there was no excuse for Rainer’s behavior. Attempting to kill another person just because you were upset doesn’t justify the action.
A scream echoed through the palace. Cutler picked up the pace. At the intersection, a handful of guards ran by.
“Does anyone know what’s going on?” Sabine asked.
Neither Cutler nor her guards knew.
“Guard the queen,” Drew ordered. Instead of following her, her guards surrounded her and Cutler, acting as a barricade.
They began making their way through the palace. They passed another group of guards running by, weapons drawn.
“I’m going to see if anyone needs help,” Cutler said, taking off after the men.
He’d taken two steps when a palace sentry approached them. “Captain Cutler,” the man said. “You’re needed. It’s your father.”
Cutler took off running.
“What happened?” Sabine demanded before the sentry could leave.
“This morning, Commander Felix was found dead in his room.”
Sabine froze. “Was he murdered?” If so, the Avoni assassin had to be responsible. After all, he’d been arrested for killing high ranking military officials.
“I don’t know,” the sentry replied before bowing and running after Cutler.
Sabine followed them. She’d just spoken to Commander Felix. The thought of him being dead was hard to fathom. He wanted to retire, live at his manor, and spend time with his family. He looked forward to having grandchildren. And Lady Regina had to be devastated.
Guards filled the corridor. Sabine shoved past them and entered the commander’s suite where she found a handful of soldiers.
She walked past them to the bedchamber where Rainer was speaking with someone next to a bed with a body in it.
She looked away, not wanting to see a dead man.
Lady Regina stood off to the side, her eyes wide and her skin white.
Cutler was shaking his mother’s shoulders, not getting a response.
Sabine rushed over to Regina, wrapping her arm around the woman.
“I’ve got her,” she told Cutler. “Let me take care of her while you focus on your father.” She led Regina from the room and out into the hallway, wanting to get her away from the chaos.
Since the royal wing was on the other side of the palace, Sabine took her to the royal dining room.
Pulling out a chair, she told Regina to sit.
“What can I do to help?” Drew asked.
“I know this isn’t your job, but please find someone to bring her some tea. And get word to Cutler about where she is so he won’t worry.”
“Consider it done.”
When he left the room, Sabine went over and sat next to Regina, taking her hand. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “What happened?”
Regina shook her head. “He didn’t wake up.”
For some reason, those words gave Sabine hope. Maybe Felix had died from natural causes.
“I got up this morning,” Regina continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “I dressed and had breakfast prepared. When I realized Felix was still sleeping, I went in and shook him. His body was cold.”
By all means, it seemed as if Felix had died in his sleep. However, this sounded eerily similar to how Alina was found. They’d only discovered she’d been murdered because there was leftover poison at the corner of her mouth.
Drew entered, carrying a cup of tea.
Sabine jumped up and took the cup from him. She whispered, “I want to know if the prisoner is still in the dungeon. I want visual confirmation.”
His brows rose, understanding what she was implying without voicing it. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
She returned to Regina, setting the cup of tea in front of her. They sat in silence. Regina gazed outside, lost in thought.
Cutler found them an hour later. His hair was standing up as if he’d been pulling on it, his shirt disheveled. He plopped on the chair next to his mother, not looking at her.
“What is it?” Sabine asked.
He shook his head.
Regina slowly turned toward her son. “I didn’t see any blood,” she began, “so I don’t think he was stabbed.”
“He wasn’t,” Cutler said.
“Did he die of natural causes?” Sabine asked.
The corners of Cutler’s mouth turned down. “He had a white substance in his mouth.”
“My husband was murdered?” Regina asked.
Cutler gave a single nod. He placed his elbows on the table, his hands gripping his hair.
Rainer entered, his eyes scanning the three of them as he went over to the side table, pouring two drinks. He handed one to Cutler before taking a seat.
The commander of the Lynk army was dead. Murdered right here in the palace. Sabine couldn’t help but think that this had something to do with the prisoner in the dungeon. The Avoni assassin. And no one was safe.