Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
The official word circulating the palace was that Commander Felix had died in his sleep. Funeral preparations were already underway to honor the great man. Lady Regina had announced that she would return home to her country estate as soon as the funeral was held.
Sabine meandered through one of the many palace courtyards, reveling in the feel of the sun on her skin.
Unable to leave the palace, she tried to be outdoors as much as possible.
Since Drew had assured her the assassin was in his cell—he’d seen him with his own eyes—she didn’t think the man had killed Felix.
King Kai said he had a unit of assassins in Lynk, so maybe one of the others had snuck into the palace to do the job.
Lady Karmen entered the courtyard, heading straight for Sabine. She curtseyed. “I just came from Lady Regina’s. Terrible to lose one’s husband.”
Sabine agreed, looping her arm with Karmen’s. “Terrible indeed. I can’t even imagine.”
After a few minutes of silence, Karmen asked, “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.”
“Liar.” Karmen eyed Sabine’s neck. “I’ve been wondering if the commander’s death is meant to distract everyone from what the king did to you, Lottie’s trial, and the town riot.”
Sabine hadn’t considered that angle. “Are you implying that the king ordered his own commander’s death?”
“I’m not implying anything,” Karmen said. “I’m simply stating facts. The timing is awfully convenient.” She glanced back at Sabine’s guards, far enough away to not overhear their conversation. “Let’s not forget, Commander Felix is the one whose impeccable timing stopped Rainer from killing you.”
“Do you think the king knows Felix stepped in to help me?” And if so, would Rainer kill his own commander for that? After what she saw of him the other night, she wouldn’t put it past him.
“I don’t know what the king does or doesn’t know. All I’m doing is stating facts. Speaking of the man.”
Rainer crossed the courtyard, heading straight toward Sabine.
Karmen released her, taking a step back to put some space between them. Sabine’s guards moved a little closer, their hands going to the hilts of their swords.
“My queen,” Rainer said, stopping a few feet away, his voice taking on a mocking tone.
“There’s been a change of plans for this evening.
We are now hosting a private party for a few select guests.
It’s being held in the solarium at seven.
I will meet you there. You can apologize to the prince and princess on your own time.
” He turned and left without waiting for her to respond.
“Guess that means I’m not invited,” Karmen mused.
“We have a solarium?” Sabine asked.
“Yes, it’s on the east side, top level,” Karmen said as she took Sabine’s arm again. “I wonder what the point of the private party is. Maybe he’s going to announce the new commander.”
“It’s a little soon for that, don’t you think?” They hadn’t even had the funeral yet.
“An army needs a commander.”
Sabine sighed. Especially an army preparing for war.
“Does he really expect you to apologize to his siblings?” Karmen asked.
“He does.” Sabine had decided she would never apologize to Lottie.
After putting on a golden dress, Sabine headed to the solarium, her crown atop her head. At the doorway, her guards were instructed to remain outside.
Sabine entered alone, observing the stunning room.
The white marble floor complemented the glass walls.
Potted palms and brightly colored flowers had been placed throughout the space.
In the center of the room, a shallow pool was situated, several curved sofas around it.
Delicate candles hung from wires giving the illusion of stars.
One woman played a stringed instrument near the door.
Rainer approached Sabine, bowing. “My queen.” He held out his arm. She took it, and he led her to one of the sofas, sitting next to her.
The guests immediately sat on the other sofas. Most had a drink in hand. Rainer introduced the six couples. Each man had the title of a high ranking military officer. Sabine didn’t recognize any of them and wondered if they’d been stationed outside the nearby town.
The conversation quickly turned to military matters.
About ten minutes later, when Sabine was about to fall asleep from boredom, Axel came strolling into the room with a woman draped on his arm. While Sabine had seen him with plenty of women, he’d never arrived at one of these events with one.
“Sorry I’m late,” Axel drawled, “but we were busy.” He winked and sat on the other side of Sabine, the woman squeezing in next to him. He didn’t bother to introduce her. Maybe everyone already knew who she was.
“As I was saying,” Rainer interjected, “I need to appoint a new commander.”
Karmen had been right about the purpose of this event. These men must be the candidates to replace Felix.
A servant walked by, handing Sabine a drink. She thanked the woman and was about to take a sip when Axel bumped her arm, causing her to spill half of it on her own lap.
“Sorry,” he said, drying her leg with his sleeve.
Sabine shoved him away, not wanting him to touch her skin like that in front of these people. It implied an intimacy which they did not have.
Rainer ignored her and continued speaking about needing someone strong and commanding who could effectively lead his men.
Axel leaned toward her, giving her a napkin and murmuring, “Don’t drink it.”
She stared at him, her brows pulling together in question.
He leaned back, holding his own cup. However, he made no attempt to drink from it.
Sabine’s mind reeled. Axel couldn’t possibly be the murderer, and he wouldn’t have been so bold as to poison every person here, especially since Rainer had a glass in hand and was drinking. If Axel knew something, he should say it. Regardless, she decided to heed his warning.
Each man took a turn speaking, droning on and on about what qualities they possessed and what traits they had that would make them a good commander.
Most looked to be in their late thirties or early forties.
It didn’t seem like Axel was paying attention as he sat there with his arm draped around the woman he’d brought, whispering in her ear while she giggled.
None of the wives spoke. They all diligently sat there in silent support of their husbands.
“What do you think, Prince Axel?” Rainer said, garnering his brother’s attention.
Axel straightened, shoving the woman away from him.
“Captain Gruttek, Captain Liam, and Captain Tristten don’t have enough experience and should remain in the positions they are currently in.
However, each deserves a pay raise for the job they are doing.
Captain Dregger and Captain Keen are both good candidates and have the necessary experience.
However, Captain Neron exceeds both. He has proven time and time again that he is loyal and competent.
I’d give it to him.” He raised his glass to Captain Neron in salute.
Sabine narrowed her eyes, and Axel winked at her. While he’d sat there pretending not to listen, acting aloof, she’d written him off just as every man here probably had done. However, he’d been listening the entire time and had clearly done his research.
“I agree,” Rainer said, standing. “Captain Neron, thank you for your service. If you’re willing, I’d like to promote you to the position of commander.” Rainer raised his glass.
“It would be my honor to serve you, Your Majesty,” Neron said.
Everyone began congratulating him and his wife.
Sabine sat there, watching everything, wondering what sort of person Neron was.
Would he eagerly lead their troops into war?
Unable to stop herself, she said, “I wish to offer you my heartfelt congratulations, Captain Neron.” Everyone’s attention suddenly went to her.
“I hope you plan to serve the great kingdom of Lynk well. We all want peace and prosperity. I hope you don’t lead us to war. ” She looked pointedly at him.
Rainer cleared his throat. “To Neron,” he said, taking everyone’s attention away from her and back to him.
People began milling about, so Sabine headed over to one of the glass walls, looking outside into the night. The soft light of the solarium reflected on the glass, allowing her to see Axel approaching from behind her.
“You could have been a tad more subtle,” he said.
“Why?” She was from Bakley and known for being blunt.
He chuckled. “Well, for one, it would upset Rainer a little less.”
She shrugged, not caring at all about Rainer.
“To play the game,” Axel murmured, “you need to watch your back.”
That was the second warning he’d given her tonight. “What’s with the drinks?”
Axel still held his, though it didn’t look like he’d drunk any of it. “My brother has been known to slip something in drinks at events such as this.”
“Why?” Not for the first time, she wondered if Rainer had been the one to poison Felix.
“He likes to loosen people up so they speak without reservation and reveal their secrets.” Axel poured his drink into one of the potted plants.
“Are these drinks laced with what you speak of?”
“I have no idea,” he answered. “But I’m not taking any chances. I know my brother well enough to not to drink what he serves.”
Commotion came from the arched entrance. Sabine glanced that way in time to see Anton striding into the room. Her breath caught. If Anton was here, that meant Evander had to be here as well. She peeked into the hallway, not seeing the Avoni prince anywhere.
Axel chuckled. “Easy, tiger.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you need to be more subtle if you don’t want my brother to know you’re in love with Prince Evander.”
She faced Axel. “Why do you think I’m in love with him?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Because it’s written all over your face.”