Page 51 of The Royal Throne
“I can’t,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes.
He came and stood next to her, his fingers brushing hers. It reminded her of that time on the bridge at the Avoni palace.
“He doesn’t deserve you,” Evander whispered. “Leave with me.”
His words felt like a warm blanket on a rainy day. She wanted to wrap them around her forever. However, she couldn’t. “I have to stay. If Lynk invades Bakley, my family will need me to ensure their safety.”
His fingers brushed hers again. “Why is it your job to take care of your family when they sent you here?”
Of all people, Evander had to understand the predicament she was in. He was the youngest of four and knew about duty and obligation. “I can’t do this with you right now.” A tear slid down her cheek.
“You won’t even consider leaving with me?”
“If we ran away together, the consequences would be severe. Rainer would seek retribution. I have no idea what your family would do, and I’d rather not find out given you’re from a kingdom of assassins.”
He sighed. “I’m tired of being a pawn.”
So was she. “That’s just it—I’ve been a pawn, but now I’m a queen with the power to change things.”
“As long as it doesn’t change you.” His pinkie finger hooked around hers. “I like you the way you are.”
It felt as if he’d hugged her soul. While she didn’t want to change, she had to in order to do what needed to be done. She’d already changed so much just to survive this place.
“Let me ask you this,” Evander continued, “if Heather is pregnant with Rainer’s child, why does he need you? Doesn’t that child provide him with the heir he needs to keep his throne?”
“The child must be of royal blood, and Heather is a commoner. Therefore, the child doesn’t meet the requirement.” But what had been nagging Sabine was this: if the law stated Rainer’s child had to be of royal blood, he had to follow the rule. However, when it came to Lottie, why could Rainer choose to ignore the law? It made no sense. Unless Sabine forced him to follow the rules.
“What?” Evander asked. “I can tell you’re thinking of something in that beautiful head of yours.”
She’d considered it before and had planned on throwing Lottie in the dungeon and having her tried for treason. The problem was that once Lottie was found guilty, then Rainer, Anton, and Axel would be killed as well. The law was harsh about certain situations. The point of the blood law was to deter people from committing acts of treason by threatening their relations through blood.
If Sabine invoked the law, she’d be the one left standing and in control of Lynk. While she didn’t want to be the sole ruler, if it meant getting rid of Rainer and preventing a war, it would be worth it. The part she found hard to live with was sacrificing Anton and Axel. However, they were only half-siblings, so maybe they’d be spared. And if she acted quickly, she might be able to stop Evander from marrying Lottie.
“What is it?” he asked.
“You’ll see,” she replied, not wanting him to know about her plan. If he knew, he might try to stop her.
“Do you want my help?”
“I can do it.”
“I know you can, but you don’t have to do it alone.”
“I should get going.” It was getting late, and she didn’t want to be seen returning to her room so long after having left the ball.
“Will you spend the day with me tomorrow?” he asked.
“I don’t think that’s a wise idea.” Rainer would be furious if he found out the two of them were spending time together. She needed to convince the king there was nothing going on between her and the Avoni prince, not fuel the fire.
“We’ll go somewhere away from here. I’ll take care of everything so the king won’t find out. I need to get out of this palace for a few hours.”
Truth be told, she could use a day out of this palace as well. Allowing herself to finally turn and look at Evander, she whispered, “Yes.”
The corners of his lips rose. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Sabine entered her room and flopped onto her bed, exhausted. Harta jumped up, joining her, licking her face. This silly dog always made her feel better.
“You’re back, uh, Your Majesty,” Harper said. “Sorry I keep forgetting your title.”
