Page 65 of The Royal Throne
Sabine faced Karmen. Sweat prickled along her arms and neck. These were the people who’d determine Lottie’s fate. If Karmen wasn’t on her side, no one else would be either.
“Good for you, honey,” Karmen said. “It’s about time someone respects our laws here in Lynk.” She moved closer to Sabine, wrapping an arm around the queen’s shoulders. “Since you’re new to Lynk, do you know that this means the king and the princes will be arrested as well?”
“I know that when Lottie is found guilty, they’ll face the same fate as her, but I didn’t realize they’d be arrested as well.” Drew hadn’t mentioned anything about arresting the king and princes.
Karmen nodded. “They’ll be arrested and thrown in the dungeon so they can’t run. That’s how the law works.”
Dread filled Sabine. She didn’t know Rainer would be arrested tonight. But at least that meant he couldn’t hurt her. However, Drew had warned her to watch out for Rainer’s temper and to remain out of his reach for the evening. With Rainer in the dungeon, there was no need for Sabine to worry about him coming after her.
Another group of guards ran by.
Karmen shook her head. “Something’s not right. Let’s get the queen out of here.” She looped her arm around Sabine’s, leading her from the courtyard, the other ladies following close behind, Sabine’s guards trailing after the group.
They were twenty feet from the closest archway when Rainer came storming out, a hoard of guards behind him.
When he spotted Sabine, his face contorted with malicious rage. “What have you done?” he demanded, his voice filled with fury.
Sabine took a step back, fear taking over.
Chapter Fifteen
Having grown up with four older brothers, Sabine could read men’s moods and intentions fairly accurately. She knew when to push and when she needed to back off. With Rainer heading straight for her, his eyes dark, hands balled into fists, and arms shaking, she knew he was angry and planned on directing that rage at her. Taking another step back, she swiftly turned and headed toward another archway, wanting to get out of the courtyard as quickly as possible. She just needed to find some place she could hide.
“Stop her!” Rainer roared.
Knowing she couldn’t outrun the king and that it would be better to face him here in public, she stopped. Her guards hovered nearby. “Don’t let him take me anywhere,” Sabine said to Erikin, afraid that if Rainer got her alone, he’d hurt her.
Erikin gave a curt nod.
In order to deal with Rainer in his current state, she needed to be calm and not antagonize him further. Just as she turned to face him, his hand came up, encircling her neck and squeezing. He lifted her off the ground. She kicked ferociously, clawing at his arms as she gasped for air. The irony was that Rainer had been the one to teach her what to do in this situation, yet all rational thought eluded her.
Her guards withdrew their swords.
“Stand down,” Rainer ordered.
A collective gasp resounded through the courtyard as everyone watched the king and queen.
Tears streamed from Sabine’s eyes as pain radiated from her neck to her chest. This was it—she was going to die. Her sister’s face flashed before her and ignited a burst of energy. She couldn’t die here, not like this. Too many lives depended on her and she’d sworn to avenge Alina’s death.
A guard neared, saying something to the king and pointing behind him.
Sabine noticed several people talking, but she couldn’t hear a single word with the blood rushing in her ears.
Rainer glanced over his shoulder, realizing they had an audience. He set Sabine on the ground, releasing his hold on her neck.
Unable to support herself, she collapsed to her knees, falling forward on her hands. She heaved in a gasp of air. It felt like knives were being shoved down her throat. The pain was excruciating. Black clouds hovered in her peripheral vision. She feared she’d pass out.
“No one is allowed to help her,” Rainer ordered, his hands on his hips, his shoulders rising and falling.
“Your Majesty, she is our queen,” one of the guards said.
“And I am your king. I outrank her.”
Rainer’s boots came into Sabine’s line of sight, but she refused to look up into his eyes.
After a moment, he said, “Don’t be so dramatic. Get up. Now. You’re causing a scene.”
Not wanting to make him angrier, Sabine pushed off the ground and stood, her entire body shaking. Her lungs burned, her throat felt like it was on fire, and she couldn’t speak.
