Page 9 of The King's Sword
Sabine glared at him but didn’t respond. Instead, she took another sip, reveling in the warmth of it, even if it was rather bland.
Evander glanced at Otto. “Are we good?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.
“Do you plan on kidnapping my sister again?” Otto asked, folding his arms.
“I don’t think so.”
“Then we’re good, so long as you don’t lay a hand on her. Are we clear?”
Evander raised his hands in surrender. “I won’t touch her.” He went over to the hearth and poured himself a cup of hot water. “It must have been tiring growing up with four older brothers,” Evander said to Sabine as he approached the table.
For once, Sabine happened to agree with him, though she’d never admit it.
Evander sat on the bench beside Otto, pulling out a small black satchel from his pocket. He opened it, revealing leaves. Sabine watched him take the tea strainer she’d used, fill it with said leaves, and put it in his cup to steep.
“You’re making tea?” she asked. “After just making fun of me for drinking the same thing?”
He nodded, his lips curling into a conciliatory smile. “I was making fun of you for drinkingplaintea.”
“As opposed to exciting tea?”
He lifted a single eyebrow, his lips still curled in a smile as he removed the strainer, stirred his freshly-made tea, then pushed it toward her. “Try it.” The way he said it made it seem like a challenge.
“The last time you gave me something,” she said, pointing at him, “I found myself waking up on a ship.”
He smirked and made the sound of a chicken.
“You did not just do that,” she said, looking at him in disbelief.
Otto chuckled and shook his head. “I’d watch it if I were you,” he said, elbowing Evander. “She isn’t like most women.”
Evander shrugged. “Fine.” He reached out to grab the mug, his eyes never leaving hers, amusement dancing in them.
Irritated that it felt like defeat for not tasting the tea, she swiped the mug before Evander got it, lifted it to her lips, and took a tiny sip. Her intention had been to prove she wasn’t some pampered princess who backed down from a challenge. She wanted to show him he didn’t scare or intimidate her. However, the second the warm liquid hit her tongue, a sense of peace filled her. The tea tasted like a luxurious sweet treat she’d have after supper.
“Did you just moan?” Otto asked Sabine. “What did you give her?” He turned to Evander.
Evander chuckled. “Hand it back.” He reached for the mug.
Sabine pushed it over to him. “That’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever had.” It didn’t even taste like herbal tea.
“Like I said, you Bakley people drinkplaintea.”
Evander really was quite irritating. Especially when he was right.
“If the two of you are done bickering,” Otto said, “I’d like to know what Evander saw in Lynk.”
Evander rubbed his eyes then looked at Sabine. “I know you told me Rainer wasn’t holding you at the palace against your will, but I think he was.” He spoke gently, as if afraid to hurt her feelings.
She hadn’t been a prisoner in the palace. “I was free to leave my room.” She took a sip of her drab tea. “I mean, so long as I had guards with me, but that was for my own protection. I was only confined to my room those first few days.” As she said it out loud, it sounded worse than it was.
Evander looked at Otto. “See. She was being held there without her even realizing it.” He took a sip of his tea and smiled at her.
Prick.
Otto scratched the side of his face. “Did you visit any nearby towns?”
“I went through one on my way in,” she explained. “You have to understand, there was an assassin after me. I had to be careful. Rainer didn’t want me wandering around and getting myself killed. I wasn’t locked up, and I wasn’t in a dungeon.” Rainer wanted to ensure her safety. He’d been so upset over Alina’s death that he’d been overly cautious with Sabine.
