Page 52 of The King's Sword
Going back into the other room, she examined the clothes Naya had brought. There were a couple of pairs of pants and several long-sleeved tunics similar to what she saw the women in the Avoni delegation wear. All rather plain and simple. Since nothing stood out to her, she randomly picked a pair of pants and one of the tunics, putting them on. She managed to comb her hair, getting all of the knots out from her journey.
Someone knocked.
Sabine went over and answered the door, finding Evander standing there with his hands behind his back. He had on black pants and a tunic made from silk with gold buttons down the center. His hair was washed and combed back, his face shaven. He looked rather handsome.
“Hmm,” he said, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. “Did Naya not give you anything nicer to wear?”
“No,” Sabine said, looking down at her outfit. She rather liked the pants since they were comfortable and easy to move in. However, she didn’t think they were queenly. And since she was going to meet the king and queen of Avoni, she wanted to present herself as a royal and on equal grounds.
A smile spread across Evander’s face as he pulled a box out from behind his back. “Then it’s a good thing I borrowed this from my sister. Change and meet me out here once you’re ready.”
She took the box and closed the door. Setting the box on the bed, she opened the lid and sucked in her breath at the sight of a beautiful red and black silk outfit. She quickly put it on and went over to the mirror to see how well it fit her. The red long-sleeved top was form fitting while the black skirt had red stitching up the side in a pattern of leaves. She’d never worn anything like it before. She ran her hand over the material, reveling in the softness of it. While she was fairly certain the shirt should be tucked under the skirt as she had it, she had to be sure.
Sabine went over to the door and opened it. “Do I look okay?” She turned in a slow circle before Evander.
His eyes widened.
“Please tell me what needs to be fixed.” The last thing she wanted to do was make a fashion blunder when meeting the king and queen.
“Nothing.” He cleared his throat. “Nothing at all. You look…you look nice.”
“Am I wearing this correctly?” she asked, gesturing at the outfit, wanting verification.
“Yes.” He held out his arm, so she took it. “We need to be on our way.”
“You look nice as well,” she said, trying not to stare at him. While they’d been traveling, he’d been more pirate and assassin. Tonight, he was all prince.
Walking along the hallway, Sabine felt a strange awkwardness between them. Wanting to diffuse it, she said, “I’m glad to see you’re alive.”
Evander chuckled and Sabine relaxed, a calmness extending through her. Even though she was about to meet the king and queen of Avoni and be introduced as the queen of Lynk, she knew she could do this. She would be regal, witty, and gain this kingdom as an ally. She’d met Evander and his sister, Gemma. Both seemed like nice, normal royals. Granted, they were also assassins. The king and queen were trained assassins as well. Everyone in this entire palace was probably an assassin. Even the servants. She was going to die.
“Why’d you stop walking?” Evander asked.
She hadn’t even realized she’d stopped. “No reason,” she lied as she resumed walking.
Evander opened the door, and they exited the building.
“We’ll be dining with my parents and siblings this evening. They are all anxious to meet you.” He spoke rather formally, as if nervous.
If he was nervous, then she had reason to be as well.
They started to cross one of the bridges when Sabine stopped, this time to take in her surroundings. Oil lamps hung on the outside of the various buildings while lanterns lined the bridges and walkways, the water reflecting their luminance.
“Is everything all right?” Evander asked.
“It’s beautiful here.” She let go of his arm and turned in a slow circle. “I’ve never seen anything like this.” Sabine looked up at Evander. This strange man with red hair and green eyes. Her assassin-pirate-prince. She smiled at him. When she had first woken up aboard his boat, she never guessed they would become friends. The more time she spent with him, the more handsome he became.
“Evander!” a woman called out as she joined them on the bridge. She wore an outfit similar to Sabine’s, only her top was olive green and her skirt dark brown. When she reached them, she wrapped Evander in a hug and kissed his cheek.
Sabine took a step back, startled. Evander had never mentioned anything before about being attached. She should have known. Someone like him would have to have many women vying for his affection.
The beautiful woman with dark hair and eyes looked at Sabine.
“I’d like to introduce you to my sister, Carin,” Evander said.
A strange relief filled Sabine. “You two look nothing alike.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Carin said with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m glad the dress fits, though I think it looks much better on you than on me.”
