Chapter 15
Girl
“Father! She’s in here!”
Evelyn jolted awake at the sound of her sister yelling. She had been in the middle of a particularly good dream about Leo. It was disappointing to remember he left last night and wasn’t in bed with her now.
I also don’t need my sister to see a naked guard in my bed. Why is she in my room, anyway?
“Hannah?” Evelyn grumbled, blinking her eyes open. “What the hell?”
“Where have you been?” Hannah shrieked. “When did you get here?”
Their father strode in. “There you are, Evelyn. Thank the gods you’re all right.”
“Of course I am.” Evelyn sat up. “What’s going on?”
“I went to check on you at the army hospital this morning and you were gone! One of the Healers told me you left last night, but all the guards who were on duty here said you never came home. They gave me some ridiculous story about a bunch of rabbits!”
Evelyn had to choke down her laughter.
I can’t tell him the truth, but I don’t want to get Leo in trouble.
“Damien brought me back late last night,” she lied.
“He came by to check on me and I told him I didn’t want to stay in the hospital overnight.
I don’t know why none of the guards remember us coming in.
Damien said something about owing you gold, I think?
” Evelyn hoped this last detail would distract her father.
His face brightened. “Five gold pieces!”
Boys and their games. Doesn’t matter how old they are.
The king seemed to remember why he was there. “I’m glad you’re okay, sweetheart.”
“I’m fine, Father. It’s too early for all the hysterics.”
“You can’t go back to sleep!” Hannah warned. “The ball is tonight, and the dressmaker needs you to do a final fitting in your gown.”
“I’ll leave you girls to get ready,” their father said, not even feigning interest in their new dresses. He left, shutting the door behind him.
“I saw the fire in the sky,” Hannah said tentatively, like the explosion was a secret. “It looked like an illustration from one of the stories of the old gods. You did that all by yourself?”
“Yes.” Evelyn grimaced. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“But you saved their lives.”
Hannah sounds like Leo and Damien. They’re all acting like I’m a hero. But less than a third of the people who had been in the bar are still alive. And the state they’re in!
Evelyn shivered at the memory of the rows of hospital beds.
Hannah was merciful enough to let the subject drop. “Should I let the dressmaker know you will be ready soon?”
“Sure,” Evelyn agreed. “Thank you.”
Hannah scurried out of the room.
Evelyn reluctantly left her bed and got dressed. She had bathed last night, eager to get the smoky smell out of her hair. Though the water had done nothing to ease the heat between her legs after Leo’s kiss in the hallway.
Will he kiss me again? Why did he leave so quickly? Should I have asked him to stay? Is this too fast?
Evelyn walked downstairs to meet with the dressmaker, who dragged her into the dressing room.
“Hours! That’s all we have!” Gabrielle ranted. “Only hours until the ball. You will be the death of me, girl.”
Yelling at a princess and calling her girl would get a normal person banned from the palace. But Gabrielle made it clear she only cared about the dresses, not who wore them, and Evelyn could respect her for that.
Four other women rushed out of an adjoining room to help.
It took two assistants to carry the gown.
All of them descended on Evelyn. The dress she had on was stripped off her, and Evelyn developed a new fear of vultures.
They refitted her with undergarments better suited for the gown, including a corset to accentuate her curves and multiple layers of underskirts.
It took several minutes just to secure everything that wouldn’t be visible.
Once she was in the gown, Evelyn recognized the icy blue color of the fabric she’d picked out.
“Oh!” she gasped, startling the women around her.
“What’s wrong?” Gabrielle asked. “Did we leave a sewing needle in the fabric? If you dare bleed on this gown, I swear—”
“No, I’m fine!” Evelyn promised. “I forgot how pretty this color is.”
“Silly little girl,” Gabrielle chided. She pinched and pulled at the dress in various spots while one of the assistants took notes.
Evelyn stared at the fabric. The color matched Leo’s left eye perfectly.
Is that why I chose it?
Before she knew it, the women were taking the dress off her.
“That’s all?” Evelyn asked. “I didn’t get to see it.”
There weren’t any mirrors where she was standing, and Evelyn had been too distracted by the color to notice anything else.
“There’s no time!” Gabrielle shouted. “You should have been here yesterday like your sister!”
I’m not sure if Gabrielle doesn’t know or doesn’t care that I was in the hospital yesterday, but I do know better than to argue with her.
The women helped Evelyn change back into her original dress, and she felt far less grand than she had with the corset and skirts. Then Gabrielle shoved her out the door again.
“Evelyn!” Leo strolled down the hallway toward her. “Do you have a minute? I… I need to talk to you about something. Really, we should have talked days ago, and that’s my fault, but so much has happened, and I wasn’t sure how to explain—”
“You’re rambling again.” Evelyn forced a laugh to cover her anxiety.
Is that about last night? Does he regret what happened?
“Right. I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve been meaning to tell you…” he trailed off, looking unsure of how to continue.
“Is something wrong? Did I do something wrong?”
“No, Princess, you didn’t do anything. You are so… so wonderful. I’ve been so happy this week, truly. But—”
“What are you doing up here?” King Gerard’s voice boomed down the hallway, making them both jump.
“I was—” Leo started.
The king approached them. “General Savatier is downstairs. You are supposed to be meeting with him about the explosion. A meeting that, lest I remind you, was meant to occur yesterday.”
Leo flinched. “I need a moment to talk with Princess Evelyn.”
“No. You will not embarrass us by choosing a girl over the general again.”
Evelyn snapped, “I’m not some random girl he found in the city! I am a princess of Carrowmore, remember? I’ve been a guest here for a week. Didn’t anyone tell you?”
Based on the king’s expression, I don’t think I would survive the next ten seconds if I weren’t a princess.
King Gerard’s low voice was menacing. “I have no need for you in this kingdom. As soon as my son proposes to your sister, I expect you to return home.”
“What makes you so sure Hannah will agree to marry Alexander?” Evelyn argued stubbornly. “Maybe she knows better than to be part of your family!”
Anger flared in King Gerard’s eyes.
Leo stepped forward. “I will go to the general now. Evelyn, we can talk later.”
He disappeared down the main staircase. King Gerard glowered at Evelyn before walking in the opposite direction. She stuck her tongue out at him and then wondered if that counted as treason.
Evelyn met Queen Camille and Hannah in the dining room for breakfast.
“Good morning, Evelyn,” the queen said. “Are you excited for the ball?”
“Not as excited as Hannah.”
“Did you see all the flowers in the ballroom?” Hannah gushed. “It’s going to be amazing!”
Evelyn waited until Hannah looked away before she rolled her eyes.
“I know Hannah wants to dance with the prince, of course,” the queen continued. “Evelyn, is there anyone you are hoping to dance with tonight?”
Evelyn didn’t look up from her plate and refused to let herself smile. “I don’t think so.”
“There will be plenty of gentlemen in attendance. Captain Fontaine will be there.”
“I’ll know one person, at least.”
I would like to see Damien. Not just because I know I can’t spend the whole party with Leo. I like being around Damien.
“Did you see Gabrielle this morning?” the queen asked. “She’s been in a panic since yesterday.”
“Yes, I was just with her.” Evelyn thought of the color of her dress and had an idea. “Queen Camille, could I ask a favor?”
“Do I get to know what it is before I say yes?”
“Do you have a tiara with sapphires I could borrow? The ones Hannah and I brought have rubies to match our Fire magic. I would love one with sapphires to complement my new gown.”
“Of course, dear,” Queen Camille agreed, seeming pleased by the request.
Evelyn followed Hannah up to her room after breakfast.
“Are you sure you’re ready for the ball?” Evelyn asked, closing the door behind them.
Hannah swept her long braid over her shoulder. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s a really important night for you and the prince, right? That sounds stressful.”
“Are you worried because you haven’t met him yet? Alexander is really nice!”
Why haven’t I met the prince yet? He didn’t check on me in the hospital yesterday, even though both of the kings were there. Where the hell has he been?
Evelyn shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. I think things will become more serious between the two of you after the ball.”
“Alexander hasn’t even kissed me yet.” Hannah blushed. “He’s handsome, so I wouldn’t object to him taking me to bed if that’s his plan. It’s not like I’ve never—”
“He’s going to propose!” Evelyn blurted.
All the color drained from Hannah’s face. “What?”
“I, um, heard some of the maids talking,” Evelyn lied. “The prince is supposed to propose tonight.”
Hannah stood perfectly still, except her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “That’s good news. It’s faster than I expected, but that’s good. It will be good to move forward and not wait around anymore. An engagement is good. Tonight will be… good.”
Hannah’s reaction is anything but good.
“You don’t have to say yes,” Evelyn reminded her. “You can tell him you aren’t ready.”
“Of course I’m ready!” Hannah said quickly. “I’m a princess and he’s a prince. We’re supposed to get married. That’s why Father brought me here.”
“I’m a princess, too. If that’s all it takes, I could marry Alexander.”
Did Father even consider me when he was making arrangements with King Gerard? I don’t want to marry a random prince, but he could have asked me if I was interested.
Hannah surprised her with a laugh, as if the very idea was ridiculous. “You don’t even want to be a princess. You would never marry Alexander.”
“Do you want to be a queen someday?” Evelyn asked.
Hannah’s smile faded. “What else am I supposed to do?”
Evelyn’s heart broke for her sister. “Hannah—”
“Thank you for telling me,” Hannah said, the pleasant expression back on her face. “I should start getting ready. I need to be perfect tonight.”
She ushered Evelyn out of the room and closed the door.
It’s Hannah’s choice, not mine. I just hope she doesn’t regret it.