Chapter 21
Lies
“Your mother and I met at a ball like this one,” King Tristan said.
Evelyn jumped, torn from her thoughts. The final dance had ended and Leo had left to do whatever guards did after a ball. She hadn’t noticed her father standing at her side. He held a drink—not his first, based on the color staining his cheeks—and gazed out at the almost empty dance floor.
“I thought the two of you grew up together,” Evelyn replied.
“She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen,” the king continued. “It was like the gods formed her directly from my dreams.”
That might be the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.
“Did you ask her to dance?”
“Immediately. My knees nearly gave out in the seconds she took to respond.”
“But she said yes?”
“She did.” The king’s eyes were unfocused, his mind somewhere else. “We danced the whole evening. I swept her away from any other suitors who came near.”
“And you’re not even that good at dancing,” Evelyn teased.
King Tristan chuckled. “If she noticed, she didn’t say anything.” Sorrow crept into his expression like darkness overtaking the horizon at sunset. “My heart cracked into pieces when I had to leave her.”
“You didn’t leave her,” Evelyn said. “You married her.”
How drunk is he?
Her father’s jaw clenched. Hannah’s laughter carried across the room from where she was talking to a group of other women. The sound snapped him back to the present.
“You know,” the king said confidently, “back in my day—”
“Ladies wouldn’t dare gossip so loudly?”
Mischief replaced his somber mood. “Actually, no. I think your generation is much more subtle. Back in my day, it was a high honor for a lady to be the last person a prince danced with at the end of the night.”
“Well, I’m sure whoever Prince Alexander danced with is quite pleased about that,” Evelyn said, already bored with the new topic. “Wasn’t it Hannah?”
Her father pivoted to face her directly. “He danced with you, Evelyn. I expected him to dance with Hannah, but then he asked you.”
Seriously, how much wine has he had?
“No, he didn’t. I danced with Leo during the last song.”
“Leo?”
“The man I was just with.”
“The man who kissed your hand when the dance ended?”
A storm cloud of anxiety gathered in Evelyn’s chest.
This feels like the day we arrived, when I couldn’t see the giant rose over the palace and Father had to explain it to me. But if I’m wrong this time… it’s so much worse.
“I don’t understand,” Evelyn said. “He’s not the prince. I haven’t even met the prince.”
“You have,” the king insisted. “Hells, he spent half a day in your hospital room!”
“No… no, that was Leo.”
Her father stared at her. “Where is Leo now?”
Evelyn pointed to where she last saw him. “Over there. He… he’s talking to King Gerard.” Her voice started to shake as her chances of winning this argument dwindled.
One guard would never get that much attention from a king… but a prince would.
“Prince Alexander is talking to the king, to his father,” Evelyn’s father explained. “What does he look like to you?”
Evelyn’s breaths came faster. “He has dark brown hair and blue eyes. He doesn’t look anything like the portraits of the prince!”
“Does the king look like his portrait?”
“Yes! The queen does too, mostly, except her hair is a bit darker.”
“So that means”—King Tristan thought about it—“the prince, and the queen to some extent, are using illusions to affect their appearance.”
“But I can’t see illusions.”
I’m going to vomit.
“He told you his name is Leo?”
Leo, or Alexander, glanced at Evelyn from across the room. Their eyes met, and she didn’t have time to hide the hurt on her face.
“I’m sorry, Ev—” her father started.
“Excuse me,” she said.
Evelyn wanted to sprint from the room but forced herself to walk out the back doors.
This can’t be happening.
She crossed the patio and took the trail to the beach.
“Evelyn!”
No.
“Evelyn, wait!”
“Go away!” she told the prince without slowing down.
“Evelyn, please!”
“I don’t want to talk to you!”
She reached the sand and headed toward the water.
I could drown. Or I could drown him.
“Evelyn, what’s wrong? What happened?”
Leo, being taller than her and not encumbered by skirts and heels, caught up with her effortlessly. He could easily dash in front of Evelyn to block her path, but he simply followed her as she ignored his questions.
“Evelyn, I can see that you’re angry. Just tell me what’s going on. Everything was fine ten minutes ago. What changed? What were you and your father talking about?”
Evelyn collapsed onto her knees in the water.
Her gorgeous dress would certainly be ruined, but she didn’t care.
She dipped her hands below the surface and summoned her magic.
Flames couldn’t manifest underwater, but the heat she created caused steam to rise.
Evelyn had learned this trick as a child, burning up her bathwater to the frustration of her nanny.
Now, it was a distraction as she gained control of herself.
He asked me to stay in Gryon with him, but he didn’t tell me who he really is. He kissed me even while he was lying to me.
Leo spoke again from the edge of the water. “Evelyn.”
She stood, her dress soaked in saltwater, and turned around to face him. “What’s your name?”
He didn’t say anything. Waves of confusion, understanding, and regret crashed over his face.
“What’s your name?” she prompted again.
Leo put his hands in his pockets. “Alexander Leon Ducasse.”
Each syllable hit Evelyn like hailstones in a storm.
I’m a fool. An idiotic fucking fool.
Memories from the past week flooded her mind.
How did I not see it? How could I have been so blind?
“Leon,” Evelyn repeated. “Leon. Leo.”
“Yes,” he said. “Damien has called me that since we were children.”
“Why?”
“When I drop the illusion and have a different name, no one knows who I am. He and I could play and get into trouble like normal kids without embarrassing the royal family.”
Evelyn stared at him, at this man she thought she knew but clearly didn’t.
He had me envisioning a future with him, but it was all fake. I wouldn’t be staying here to marry a guard. I wouldn’t be getting away from court politics. He’s the heir to the fucking kingdom!
Her anger rose inside her like a fire engulfing a pyre. “You tricked me.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“You’ve lied to me since I got here!”
“You didn’t recognize me!”
“So this is my fault?” Evelyn fumed. “I’m to blame for your deception?”
Leo flinched. “No, that’s not what I meant.”
“What did you mean? What was your intent when you lied that first night and told me you were a guard?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Yes, you did!”
“You guessed I was a guard.”
Evelyn glared at him, wishing she had a rock to throw at his head.
“You asked if I worked at the palace,” he continued. “And then you assumed I was a guard.”
“You could have told me you were a prince!”
“I didn’t understand what was going on!” Leo said. “I thought you just didn’t recognize me in the dark and that you would figure it out later.”
“I shouldn’t have needed to figure out anything! You should have told me the truth!”
“I didn’t know anything was wrong until you asked why my eyes were different colors. That’s when I realized you truly didn’t know who I was, that the illusion wasn’t working on you.”
“That’s when you should have told me everything!” Evelyn shouted.
“Would you have believed me that night?”
“Yes!”
“Honestly?” Leo raised a brow. “You had just arrived in the kingdom of illusions. Then, in the dark and alone, a stranger with brown hair and blue eyes tells you he’s the Ducasse prince? You would have thought me crazy or dangerous!”
He has a good point, but I’m not going to admit that now.
“And the rest of the week?” Evelyn asked. “Do you have an excuse for every other moment we spent together?”
“I nearly told you yesterday, and then I was going to tell you this morning. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“This morning was several days too late! You’re the one who helped me understand that I can’t see illusions here. I would have believed you then!”
“I…” Leo hesitated. “I liked that you didn’t know who I was.”
“What? You liked lying to me?”
“No! I hated the lies. But I liked that you didn’t treat me like a prince.”
“Explain,” Evelyn demanded.
Leo’s shoulders drooped. “You saw me as a normal person. You weren’t trying to impress me or flatter me or get something from me.
That’s never happened before! I’m only ever surrounded by people with courtier smiles who want to be in the good graces of the Ducasses.
Then you showed up and you didn’t give a shit about my opinion.
You spoke honestly. You even insulted me. It was… freeing!”
Evelyn, underneath her anger, understood what he meant. Her years as a lord’s daughter, and especially her short time as a princess, had exposed her to the same fake smiles vying for favor. But…
“You liked me because I was honest?”
Leo’s eyes widened as he realized his mistake. “I like you. I like everything about you and I like how I feel when I’m with you.”
Part of Evelyn wanted to melt at his words, but another problem dawned on her.
Hannah.
“You are supposed to marry my sister.”
Leo grimaced, like he had also just remembered that detail.
“That’s why I’m here,” Evelyn went on. “The prince is courting Hannah. But that’s been you this whole time?”
“My father set it up. I couldn’t ignore her.”
“She talks about you nonstop. She wants to marry you!”
Hannah may not be in love with him, but this is the future she wants. Did I just ruin it for her?
Leo gestured at the palace. “Hannah and I haven’t had a genuine conversation all week. You are the one who knows the real me.”
“No, apparently, I don’t!”
“This is real, Evelyn! We are real!”
Damien’s words filled her mind again. “Is it real? Do you truly care about him? There’s a lot about Leo you don’t know.”
“Why would you kiss me while courting my sister? Who does that?”
“I’m not courting her,” Leo insisted.
“Hannah thinks you are!”
“I want to be with you, Evelyn!”
Her traitorous heart jumped at his confession, then plummeted.
Leo didn’t say he wants to marry me, just that he wants me here. I don’t know what his plans are with Hannah. But he’s been lying to us both, so he doesn’t deserve either of us.
“You need to tell my sister that so my family and I can go home.” She lifted her heavy, waterlogged skirts and started back toward the palace.
“Wait!” Leo ran to Evelyn. “Tell me what to do. Tell me what you want. Tell me how to fix this.”
“You didn’t tell me anything.”
“I’m sorry I lied to you.”
Evelyn just looked at him.
“You kissed me back last night,” he reminded her.
She didn’t deny it, but she didn’t say anything.
“I don’t want you to leave.”
Evelyn fought back tears. “What do you want, Leo? Do you want to be with me enough to go against your father? Because I’m not okay being a secret! You say you want me to stay in Gryon, but how? I’m not going to be your mistress after you marry Hannah!”
Leo blanched. “I would never ask that of you!”
“Then what is your plan? What do you want from me?”
“I…”
“Leo!”
“I need more time!” he pleaded. “I don’t know what the right thing to do is, but I don’t want to lose you. I’m sorry, Evelyn. I messed this up and I am so sorry.”
“How can I trust you?” Evelyn cried. “How do I know you’re not hiding a million other secrets?”
“I didn’t lie about anything else. I swear.”
“But you had Damien and your mother lie for you.”
Leo’s brows pinched in confusion. “My mother?”
“She called you Leo. She knew what was going on. I guess I’m the only one who didn’t.”
“No.” Leo shook his head. “She knows that’s a nickname I use, but I never asked her to call me by it. Damien, yes. He knew everything and he warned me it was a bad idea. But my mother was never part of this. When did you talk to her?”
“She wanted Hannah and me to spend time with her this week. Hannah would gush about the pr—about you. And I…” Evelyn’s face turned red. “I told her about the handsome palace guard with two different blue eyes.”
“Then that’s how she knew to call me Leo with you,” he told her. “That’s why she keeps mentioning you to me,” he told himself. His eyes darted around, recalling memories of his own.
Evelyn was exhausted. This day, this conversation, this mess she was in, she couldn’t do it anymore. She was humiliated, angry, and heartbroken. Did she feel all of those at once, or were they all the same thing?
“I need to go.”
Something in her voice told Leo not to argue this time.
She used the heat of her magic to dry her skirts, which caused most of the sand to fall away. Anyone paying attention could see something was wrong with her dress, but it wasn’t as obvious as when she was dripping ocean water.
Nearly everyone had left the patio and the ballroom by then. Except the Taste Court and Lord Grégory, who were still singing. But Hannah was waiting for her.
“Why were you on the beach with Alexander?” her sister asked without preamble.
Evelyn kept walking. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does!” Hannah fell into step beside her. “I can tell you were crying. You were out there for ages.”
“Well, I’m back.”
I can’t do this right now. I don’t know what to tell Hannah.
They were nearly to the main staircase.
“I thought you were seeing Captain Fontaine?” Hannah asked.
“I’m not,” Evelyn grumbled.
But maybe I should be?
“You can’t wander off with the prince!” Hannah scolded.
“I didn’t. He followed me.”
“Why?”
“You can ask him. I’m going to bed.”
Hannah stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Evelyn had only taken a couple steps up when Hannah spoke.
“He’s not yours.”
Evelyn stilled, anger roaring up again. “Did he propose to you yet?”
“No,” Hannah admitted.
“Then he’s not yours, either.”
Trust me. You don’t want him. And neither should I.
He lied to me.
Evelyn slammed her bedroom door and burst into tears.
He fucking lied to me.
She doubled over, trying to breathe and wanting to scream.
HE FUCKING LIED TO ME.
Evelyn caught sight of the lavender flowers by the window.
He was right here.
She threw a stream of fire to burn the flowers.
He kissed me.
With shaky hands, Evelyn removed the queen’s tiara—his mother’s tiara—plus the borrowed bracelet and set them on the dresser.
This is his home and his family.
She looked down at the dress that matched his lighter eye color.
He danced with me in front of everyone and didn’t tell me who he really is.
Evelyn set herself on fire.
Her magic would never burn her own skin, but the flames consumed her gown, corset, underskirts, and heels. It was like taking a bath in the hottest possible water. The heat burned a black mark in the rug.
He asked me to stay in the kingdom with him.
She pulled on a nightgown and crawled into bed.
He. Fucking. Lied.