Page 94 of The Royal Throne
“You know I can’t. I’m sorry, but I have my own orders to follow.” He pressed his lips against her forehead.
She closed her eyes, savoring the smell and feel of him.
He released her and took a step back. “Once I leave with Lottie tomorrow, I won’t be able to protect you.”
She shivered. “I understand.” If there was going to be any sort of royal assassination to stop the war, it would either be tonight or tomorrow after the wedding.
Opening the door, Evander ushered Sabine back into the kennels where they found Drew and the rest of her guards waiting. They exited the corridor and entered the main portion of the cavern.
Anton was headed straight for them. “Evander, we need to talk.”
“The army is headed to the border,” Evander said. “I thought you had a plan to stop it.”
“My plan fell through,” Anton replied, his voice irritated as he rubbed his palms against his eyes. “My brother is hellbent on ending the League.”
“I told you that’s what this was about.” Evander folded his arms.
“I sent letters to Carlon and Nisk letting them know.”
Evander nodded. “And what of Bakley?”
Sabine could kiss him for remembering her family and kingdom.
“My hands are tied due to the marriage contract. However, I personally sent a letter to Otto.”
“I need to speak with my men and send word to my parents. Avoni must be warned.” Evander turned to face Sabine. “Your Majesty,” he said, taking her hand and placing a kiss on it. “It has been a pleasure getting to know you.” His eyes bored into hers, as if he wanted to say more but couldn’t with Anton there. He released her and left without a backward glance.
Over the course of the past few weeks, there had been many times where Sabine had experienced true fear. However, right now, a fear like she’d never known consumed her. The approaching war, her family’s safety, and the thought of never seeing Evander again terrified her.
Sabine had just reentered the main portion of the palace when a man’s scream pierced the air. Drew quickly ordered one of her guards to find out what was going on. Closer to the residence wing, another scream rang out followed by the sound of something breaking.
As Sabine made her way toward her room, the screaming intensified. The sounds were coming from somewhere to the right, so she headed that way as if pulled by a string. Turning into another corridor, she heard a crash followed by an eerie silence. Up ahead, a handful of guards stood by a door. Dread filled her. She’d been here before—last night when she’d spotted Rainer in Heather’s bedchamber.
As she got closer, she heard someone crying. When the guards noticed Sabine, they stepped aside. It felt like slow motion as she moved toward the door, unable to stop herself yet afraid of what she’d find. But she had to know. At the doorway, she froze at the sight before her.
Inside the bedchamber, Heather was sprawled on the bed, the sheets around her stomach drenched with blood. Cutler clutched his wife’s unmoving hand, hunched over her arm, crying. Rainer stood off to the side, heaving deep breaths, chunks of wood from a broken armoire, shards of glass, and flowers scattered around his feet. A healer hovered near the foot of the bed. Claire stood in the corner holding a balled up sheet with splotches of blood, staring at her sister, her eyes wide with shock.
“What’s going on?” Sabine asked as she stepped into the room, trying not to gag with the metallic smell of blood permeating the air.
The healer turned toward her, bowing. “Your Majesty,” he said softly. “Heather is dead.”
A snarl erupted from Rainer as he began pacing, raking his hands through his hair. “I want to know who killed her.”
“Your Majesty, no one killed her,” the healer said. “It was a complication with the pregnancy. Her body couldn’t handle the baby.”
Cutler let out a sob, the sound of his pain stabbing Sabine in the heart.
“Why’s there so much blood?” she asked.
“When I realized she was about to die,” the healer said, “I delivered the baby to try to save one of them. Neither survived.”
Sabine glanced at Claire again, this time realizing a tiny, lifeless baby was wrapped in that bloody sheet.
“Her death is your fault!” Rainer shouted, pointing at the healer.
The man paled. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but it’s no one’s fault. These things happen.”
“If there’s nothing further to be done, you’re excused,” Sabine said to the healer as she stepped out of the doorway, giving him room to exit.
