Page 55 of The King's Sword
“If I may?” Evander said to Sabine.
“Of course,” she replied, trying to figure out why he was asking her permission to tell the story.
He proceeded to explain how he’d escorted her to Nisk where she met up with her brother. Then he said that when she went to return to Lynk with Prince Anton, they discovered an Avoni assassin tracking her. “I offered to escort her back to Lynk to ensure she made it there safely.”
“I’m still not understanding why the two of you are here in Avoni,” Serilda said. “It seems an odd way to return to Lynk.”
“Ex is tracking us,” Evander said. “We’ve led him here.”
The king set his fork down, sitting back in his chair and watching his son.
Not wanting anything else to eat, Sabine pushed her plate away.
“If you have something to say, Father, just say it.” Evander took another bite of his food.
“Do you want to go first or shall I?” Serilda asked her husband.
Kai took a deep breath, rubbed his face, and took a drink of wine. “Evander, do you realize the position you’ve put us in? King Rainer has every right to question our intentions. Escorting the queen back to Lynk is one thing, luring an assassin here is another. The two of you have been traveling alone. It doesn’t look good. King Rainer has every right to raise his sword against us now.” He glanced at Sabine, as if not sure how much to say in front of her.
“We were on our way to get guards to accompany us,” Evander said. “Then we got sidetracked with the attacks.” He took another bite of food. “Oh, and I, uh, agreed to marry King Rainer’s sister, Princess Lottie.” He shoved more food in his mouth.
The room went uncomfortably silent. Sabine knew everyone was trying to process what Evander had said. While sitting there waiting for them to respond, she tried not to squirm in her seat. This felt like being back home and having to explain something she’d done to her father and awaiting his verdict.
Sabine decided it was time for her to speak. “Once the assassin who’s after me is dealt with, I plan on returning to Lynk and doing everything in my power to make sure there is peace among all our kingdoms.” She tried to look reassuring as she sat there before the king and queen of Avoni. Truth be told, she felt weak. Insignificant. But she knew Rainer needed her and she was tied to him for life now. She would do everything she could to maintain peace. Her own wants, desires, and happiness no longer mattered.
“How do you plan on accomplishing that?” Kai asked.
A good question and one Sabine had been considering. She had a couple of ideas but didn’t want to share them with anyone. “The less you know, the better,” she responded.
“Is my son involved in whatever plan you’ve concocted?” Kai asked.
“No, he’s not.” And her plan was only an idea right now. She hadn’t figured out anything specific and didn’t know if it would even work. She’d have to either ask Anton to help or investigate the written laws on her own to be sure before she did anything.
“I don’t know how your husband will respond when he learns you’re here in our palace. I don’t want him to think we’ve kidnapped you,” Serilda said, looking at her son as she spoke as if she knew what he’d done.
Sabine understood her concern.
“His army is large enough to invade our kingdom,” Gemma commented.
“I think the goal here is to prevent any sort of a war,” Sabine said.
“Then you should leave and go home,” Gemma muttered, her voice low and soft.
“She will,” Evander said. “I just have to take care of Ex.”
“Why?” Gemma asked.
“Because if an Avoni assassin kills her, Rainer will invade our kingdom. Taking care of Ex ensures Avoni’s safety.”
“And what of Rainer’s…other activities?” Kai asked.
“I have no intention of going to war with any other kingdoms,” Sabine said with as much conviction as she could muster.
“I’m not sure you speak for your husband,” Serilda said.
Sabine felt her face warm. “I understand.” And she did. “But I see a way to avoid Rainer going to war.” She hoped. She liked that the queen interjected her thoughts on the matter. Kai and Serilda seemed to be true partners both in marriage and in ruling. However, that was only the impression she’d gotten from her brief interaction with them.
“I will think about the matter,” Kai said. “We’ll talk more later. For now, you are allowed to remain here under our protection. The assassin, Ex, will be dealt with.”
