Page 93 of The King's Sword
While she knew she’d have guards, she understood what he was saying. “How about we wait and see what things look like when we return?”
“I think that’s wise.” Markis glanced at something behind Sabine.
She twisted, following his line of sight. Evander had just exited the inn and was heading toward them.
“Am I interrupting?” Evander asked, stopping a few feet away.
Just the sound of his voice made her warm inside. “No,” Sabine responded. “Did you need something?” She kicked the toe of her shoe into the ground, not sure how to act around this man out here under the cover of darkness. Her assassin-pirate-prince.
“I…ah…just wanted to make sure your accommodations are adequate.” He cleared his throat.
Markis cursed. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he mumbled.
“What’s the matter?” she asked. Evander was being polite. That was acceptable, wasn’t it?
“I should have seen it before,” Markis muttered, shaking his head.
She had no idea what he meant by that.
“If I can tell the two of you have feelings for one another, Rainer will be able to as well.” Markis folded his arms.
“There’s nothing going on between us,” she insisted, looking at Evander for help.
“How could you tell?” Evander asked.
Markis looked from Sabine to Evander and then back again. “It’s the way you two can’t keep your eyes off each other,” he said gently. “I suggest the two of you try not to be in the same room together. At least not when anyone else is around.” He looked pointedly at her before leaving them alone in the garden.
Sabine assumed he’d be waiting for her just inside the door.
“He’s right,” Evander said, sliding his hands in his pockets. “It’s becoming nearly impossible to keep my wits around you.”
“I didn’t realize you had any wits to keep in the first place,” she said, teasing him, trying to lighten the mood.
“Must you joke about my feelings for you?” he said, moving closer to her.
“If I don’t joke, I’ll cry.” A true admission.
Evander moved even closer, his toes almost skimming hers. As close as they could be without touching. “You’re leaving tomorrow,” he whispered.
“That’s the plan.” It felt as if a hole had appeared in her chest.
“I’m going to miss you.”
“And I you.”
“Sabine, there are some things I want to tell you.” His green eyes appeared unusually dark tonight.
“But let me guess, you can’t?”
He nodded.
Unfortunately, she understood. She had things she was keeping from him as well.
“I want you to know—no matter what happens—my feelings for you are real. Regardless of what you hear or what people tell you when you return to Lynk. Understand?”
“Okay.” She had a feeling his family’s plan was already in motion. If he told her what it was, when she returned to Lynk and discovered what was going on, she wouldn’t have the right reaction. Her not knowing was better. But it didn’t mean she had to like it.
“I wish I had something to give you, like a token, for you to remember me by. Something for you to hold on to when times get rough.” He reached out to take hold of her hand.
