Page 88 of The Royal Throne
“I have no plans and I doubt Rainer will come to me tonight.”
“Can I ask you a personal question?” He leaned against the table and folded his arms.
“Maybe.”
“Has my brother ever come to your bed?”
Her face warmed. “Why do you ask?”
“I know it’s none of my business, but I see him at Heather’s room every night. I doubt he’s doing double duty.”
Sabine wanted to crawl into a hole. Her entire life, she’d always been the one men looked at during parties. The one they tried to steal a moment with, a touch of the hand, maybe even a kiss on the cheek. Now here she was, married to a man who didn’t even want her. Not that she cared because she’d rather not have to sleep with him. Regardless, his relationship with another woman still hurt. Even if Sabine didn’t love him. Even if she found herself drawn to another man.
“Do you understand that in order for him to keep the throne, you must have his child?”
She stood, her chair scraping the floor as she did so. “Yes. I am well aware.”
“You’ve consummated your marriage, haven’t you?”
Closing her eyes for a minute, she took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. When she focused back on Axel, she said, “I have everything under control.”
He pushed himself upright. “If you say so.” Sliding his hands in his pockets, he headed for the exit. At the threshold, he peered over his shoulder. “You look like you need to relax. Do you want to do something fun?”
“That depends on your idea of fun.” She folded her arms, not sure what he had in mind.
He chuckled, the sound low and deep. “Oh Sabine, don’t tempt me.” He exited the room. “Are you coming?” he called out from the hallway.
A distraction sounded like something she could use at the moment. Against her better judgment, she hurried after him.
He led her to his suite. Opening the door, he waved her in.
“Rainer made it very clear that I am not to be alone with you.”
He lifted a single eyebrow. “Is he afraid you won’t be able to control yourself around me?”
She shoved his arm. “Don’t be stupid.”
“Captain Drew, will you and one additional guard accompany us?” Axel asked.
Sabine entered Axel’s sitting room, Drew and another guard remaining near the door. The sun had set but no candles had been lit. “It’s rather dark in here,” she said.
“Just the way I like it.”
“I can’t even see your sofa.”
“You don’t need to,” he said. “Follow me.” He reached out and took her hand, leading her to the corridor off to the side—the one she assumed led to his bedchamber.
“You and I must have very different ideas of what is fun,” she said, trying to pull her hand free.
“Where do you think I’m taking you?” he asked.
“I won’t go to your bedchamber with you.”
He barked out a laugh. “I’m not taking you there, especially with your two dogs following. I’m not that sort of man.”
“They’re my loyal guards, not dogs. Be respectful.”
Shrugging, he said, “If you insist.” He tugged her along.
