Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
That evening at supper, Sabine sat at the table, picking at her food, unable to eat. She’d been trying to ignore Rainer and Evander’s conversation at the other end of the table. Pretending it wasn’t happening. The last thing she wanted to hear was Evander planning his wedding to Lottie.
“Will we spend the wedding night here?” Lottie asked. “Or on the ship?”
“You should spend it here,” Rainer answered. “Then you two can leave in the morning.”
“Yes,” Evander said. “I think that’s wise. Do you have someone to verify the marriage has been consummated?”
Sabine thought she was going to be ill.
Anton reached out, touching Sabine’s hand and garnering her attention. “Everything all right?” he mumbled.
She nodded, not looking him in the eyes.
“It appears a lot happened while the prince and I were gone,” he said.
At that, she peered up at him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Anton had to be upset with her for what she’d done.
If he’d been here, he would have been arrested as well.
That was the one part of her plan that had grated on her nerves—that Anton and Axel would meet the same fate as Lottie. They didn’t deserve it.
“You’re sorry?” He pulled his hand back. “I’m not the one with a bruise around my neck.”
Reaching up, she covered the mark with her hand, wishing she could hide it. The constant reminder of what Rainer had done, of what he was capable of, scared her.
Anton resumed eating. “If you need anything or want to talk, I’m available.”
The offer warmed her. “Thank you.” He had no reason to be kind to her, yet he was.
Feeling someone watching her, she glanced up. Directly across the table from her, Rainer took a sip of his wine, his eyes meeting hers over the rim of his goblet.
“Is something the matter, dear?” Rainer asked, setting his goblet down. “You don’t seem to be in your usual chirpy mood this evening.”
“Two people died in this palace. Not only is that a tragedy, but it reminds me of my own sister’s death.”
His eyes narrowed and his grip on his fork tightened, turning his knuckles white. “At least you have your sister-in-law’s wedding to look forward to. Watching her wed Prince Evander should bring some much needed joy to this palace.”
Anger rose inside of her, making her want to punch Rainer in the face. He’d said that just to irritate her.
“With regards to the murders, I will keep you safe and warm in your bed tonight. You’ll be too busy enjoying your time with me to worry that pretty little head of yours about anything else.” His eyes gleaned with mischief. He’d not only said that to see her reaction, but Evander’s as well.
“Is that so? Will you be coming to me after you’re done with Heather? Or is she too sick to entertain you, so have no choice but to bed me instead of her this evening?”
Dead silence filled the room. Sabine might have gone too far with that comment. It had just slipped out of her mouth before she could think better of it. This was one of those instances Axel was always warning her about how she needed to play the game and be more subtle. Oops.
“Heather’s sick?” Axel asked. “Is she okay? Is there anything I can do?”
Rainer’s eyes remained fixed on Sabine’s.
It looked like he was thinking of all the ways he’d make her pay for that comment.
It had been stupid to say it, but her temper had gotten the better of her.
If she were back home, she’d run out of the room and to the stables.
She’d take her horse and ride until it was too dark to see.
Then she’d spend the night out under the stars, not coming home until everyone had worried so much about her that they’d forgotten her transgression.
But she was neither at home nor was she a child any longer.
And the man who sat across from her didn’t like to be challenged, yet she’d done just that.
Not once did she dare look Evander’s way through this conversation.
The true threat in the room was him, not her, regardless of the way Rainer was behaving.
If Evander wanted to, he could kill every single person in this room in under ten seconds.
The only one who’d put up any sort of a fight would be Rainer.
However, Sabine had no doubt Evander would best him.
A servant entered, delivering a letter to Rainer.
The king sat there, not taking his eyes off Sabine for an uncomfortable minute, before plucking the letter from the servant and reading it.
He handed the letter to Evander and stood.
“Anton, please escort Lottie to her room. See that guards are posted outside for her protection. I want at least two sentries assigned to her until she leaves for Avoni or until the assassin is caught.”
“Consider it done,” Anton answered.
“If you’ll all excuse Prince Evander and me, we have a matter to attend to.” The two men exited the room.
Anton stood. “Sister, let’s go.”
Lottie shoved her chair back and stood, glaring at Sabine. “My brother has been nothing but kind to you. You might want to try to show a little respect.”
“Yes,” Sabine said, “he’s been so kind to me. He even gave me this lovely necklace.” She pointed to the bruise around her neck.
“That was your own fault.”
Anton placed his hand on the small of Lottie’s back. “Enough,” he said, ushering her out of the room.
The second Axel and Sabine were alone, he began laughing.
“What’s so funny?” she demanded.
“You. Never a dull moment.”
Harper entered the room. “Your Majesty.” She curtseyed.
“I have news.” She came closer to Sabine, whispering in her ear.
“Neron died from poison. Dregger has been named the new commander. A man was just arrested and is at the military cavern. Something about having poison on him. He’s going to be questioned. ”
That must have been why Rainer and Evander left. “Thank you, Harper.”
“I’m going home to check on my family if you’re okay with that?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll see you tomorrow. Be safe.”
Harper hugged her and left.
Axel stood. “What are your plans for this evening until that husband of yours comes to visit your bed?”
“I have no plans and I doubt Rainer will come to me tonight.”
“Can I ask you a personal question?” He leaned against the table and folded his arms.
“Maybe.”
“Has my brother ever come to your bed?”
Her face warmed. “Why do you ask?”
“I know it’s none of my business, but I see him at Heather’s room every night. I doubt he’s doing double duty.”
Sabine wanted to crawl into a hole. Her entire life, she’d always been the one men looked at during parties.
The one they tried to steal a moment with, a touch of the hand, maybe even a kiss on the cheek.
Now here she was, married to a man who didn’t even want her.
Not that she cared because she’d rather not have to sleep with him.
Regardless, his relationship with another woman still hurt.
Even if Sabine didn’t love him. Even if she found herself drawn to another man.
“Do you understand that in order for him to keep the throne, you must have his child?”
She stood, her chair scraping the floor as she did so. “Yes. I am well aware.”
“You’ve consummated your marriage, haven’t you?”
Closing her eyes for a minute, she took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. When she focused back on Axel, she said, “I have everything under control.”
He pushed himself upright. “If you say so.” Sliding his hands in his pockets, he headed for the exit. At the threshold, he peered over his shoulder. “You look like you need to relax. Do you want to do something fun?”
“That depends on your idea of fun.” She folded her arms, not sure what he had in mind.
He chuckled, the sound low and deep. “Oh Sabine, don’t tempt me.” He exited the room. “Are you coming?” he called out from the hallway.
A distraction sounded like something she could use at the moment. Against her better judgment, she hurried after him.
He led her to his suite. Opening the door, he waved her in.
“Rainer made it very clear that I am not to be alone with you.”
He lifted a single eyebrow. “Is he afraid you won’t be able to control yourself around me?”
She shoved his arm. “Don’t be stupid.”
“Captain Drew, will you and one additional guard accompany us?” Axel asked.
Sabine entered Axel’s sitting room, Drew and another guard remaining near the door. The sun had set but no candles had been lit. “It’s rather dark in here,” she said.
“Just the way I like it.”
“I can’t even see your sofa.”
“You don’t need to,” he said. “Follow me.” He reached out and took her hand, leading her to the corridor off to the side—the one she assumed led to his bedchamber.
“You and I must have very different ideas of what is fun,” she said, trying to pull her hand free.
“Where do you think I’m taking you?” he asked.
“I won’t go to your bedchamber with you.”
He barked out a laugh. “I’m not taking you there, especially with your two dogs following. I’m not that sort of man.”
“They’re my loyal guards, not dogs. Be respectful.”
Shrugging, he said, “If you insist.” He tugged her along.
Since her guards were with her, she decided to follow to see what, exactly, Axel considered fun.
He led her past two doors to the end of the corridor and down a stairwell.
At the bottom, the moon illuminated the room which contained a pool similar to the one in Rainer’s suite.
Half of the pool extended under the floor they’d just come from, while the other half stretched out beyond the roofline.
The moonlight reflected off the water. In a land such as Lynk, where it never got cold, having a room with one wall missing made sense.
Although, from where Sabine stood, it looked as if the pool hung out over the mountain.
She shivered from the mere thought of it.
Axel began removing his shirt.