Page 96 of The Queen's Crown
“The contract is meaningless.”
She opened her mouth to argue.
“New information has come to light,” he said.
“What information?” she asked. They’d stopped dancing altogether.
“You don’t know?”
She shook her head.
He glanced about. “How can you even be in this palace knowing your sister died here?”
Her hand tightened around his. “My kingdom’s children are being kidnapped.” She would do whatever necessary to stop the kidnappings and protect the Bakley children.
“Are they?”
“They are. Along the Carlon and Bakley border. I will marry King Rainer, and he’ll send troops to Bakley to protect my people.”
“Is that what you think is going to happen?” He leaned closer.
“It’s in the contract.” If he knew something she didn’t, he needed to tell her what it was.
“There’s a reason the League no longer supports this marriage. You best be careful lest you find yourself in the hornets’ nest.” The song ended, and he released her. “If it’s answers you seek, you’re looking in the wrong places.” He bowed and then left.
She stood there shaking, trying to decide if he was speaking the truth or just trying to scare her. If he had information, all he had to do was tell her. There was no need to be so evasive.
“You’re finally alone,” Axel said from beside her.
“I really don’t feel like dancing right now.” Sabine needed to be alone to think over everything the man from Avoni had just said.
“Neither do I.” He clasped his hands behind his back and headed toward the balcony. He tilted his head and raised his eyebrows, the invitation clear.
Being away from the dancing couples sounded like a good idea, so she followed him. No one else was on the balcony. She rested her arms on the railing and looked out over the dark valley below, trying to calm her rattled nerves.
“Interesting outfit,” Axel said as he mirrored her position beside her. His mask was a deep purple, matching his pants and shirt.
“Weren’t you supposed to be an eagle?” she asked.
“I changed my mind.”
“What are you?”
He shrugged. “Nothing.”
She could almost hear the unspoken words:because that’s what I am.She shivered. Nothing about tonight was going the way she thought it would.
“Since I planned this event,” he continued, “I didn’t have time to have an extravagant mask made.”
“I thought Rainer planned this?”
“He told me to arrange a masquerade, so I did.” He turned, looking at her. “Does it matter who planned it?”
She shook her head. Gazing back out at the night, she couldn’t help but wonder why Axel was out here with her instead of inside dancing.
“Sometimes I want to fall into the silence of the night,” he whispered.
Surprised by the admission, Sabine twisted to face him. “Why is that?”
