Chapter 23
Boundaries
Evelyn tried and failed to concentrate on a book. She hadn’t left her room yet, grateful for Damien’s breakfast delivery. But it was late morning, and Evelyn became more anxious the longer she was alone.
I should tell Hannah what happened with Leo at the ball. If she’s going to marry him, she should know the truth. But why is that my responsibility? Leo should tell Hannah. He’s been lying to her, too.
“Evelyn?” King Tristan called through the door.
Reluctantly, she got up to let him in.
“How are you doing, sweetheart?”
“I’m spectacular today, Father. How are you?” Evelyn replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Do you want to talk about what happened last night?” The hesitation in his voice made it clear he didn’t want to discuss her love life.
“No, I really don’t,” Evelyn said honestly.
He already knows Leo lied to me and I fell for it. That’s enough humiliation for the month.
“Well,” King Tristan continued, sounding relieved, “I need you to join us for lunch today. Councilor Ritter’s ship leaves for Lochmatten this afternoon.”
“Why is that my problem?” Evelyn snapped.
Her father’s brows lifted at her reaction. “He asked about you this morning. Ritter said the two of you had a nice conversation last night, and he wants to see you again before he leaves.”
“Absolutely not.” She crossed her arms and kept her new tattoo out of sight.
The king frowned. “Did something happen that I should know about?”
Evelyn did not want to explain that she accidentally made a worthless Bargain. “I did not enjoy his company yesterday.”
Her father sighed with exasperation.
That’s the same face he made when I was a teenager and got in trouble for setting the curtains on fire when I wanted out of a tutoring session early.
“Evelyn, it’s not a betrothal. You just have to eat lunch in his presence. Is that really so awful?”
“Probably.”
“This isn’t something we can refuse. Lochmatten is our ally and Councilor Ritter is part of their leadership. He has equal status to King Gerard.”
“That means he has equal status to you, too! You should be able to say no.”
“I am not going to deny a request this trivial. A princess can be expected to attend a meal in the palace where she is a guest. So unless Ritter did something truly offensive last night, you will come downstairs for lunch in an hour.”
Evelyn was not in the mood for this, today of all days. “Fine.”
“Good. Hannah and I will be there, as will the Ducasse family.”
Evelyn’s stomach dropped. Her father added that last comment as a warning, reminding her that the prince would be there. She hadn’t even thought about that. All week, Evelyn had never attended a meal in the palace dining room at the same time as Leo.
Gods, how is that even possible? Did he avoid me on purpose? Had he skipped dinners and stayed out late with Damien just to keep his secret?
The king left and Evelyn began pacing. Her mind reeled with every impossible thing that could happen during lunch. Haydn telling everyone about their Bargain. Hannah flirting with Leo. And Leo… fuck.
Will it be Leo or Alexander downstairs? If King Gerard is there, will Leo ignore me and focus on Hannah like he’s supposed to? Would that be easier? To pretend like we don’t know each other at all? Will it kill me faster to meet his eyes or never see them again?
Evelyn waited until the last minute to leave her room and was surprised to find a guard in the hallway. He was from Carrowmore, based on the red uniform. He was handsome, with short, strawberry-blond hair, a bit of stubble, and dimples someone was sure to fawn over.
The man smiled apologetically. “I’m supposed to ensure you make it downstairs for lunch, Your Highness.”
Evelyn rolled her eyes. “I’m going. I’ve already been thoroughly threatened.” She started toward the stairs but stopped when she realized the guard was following her. “I don’t need an escort. I know how to get to the dining room.”
“I was given very specific directions from King Tristan. And everyone is waiting in the sitting room.”
“You know, I could set your shoes on fire,” Evelyn said casually.
I wouldn’t actually do that, at least not to a guard doing his job.
“I was warned about that possibility,” he said amusedly.
“What’s your name?” Evelyn felt bad not knowing it, but the man had been one of King Nolan’s guards originally.
“Rory Flynn,” he said.
“Rory, can you do me a favor?”
“After you arrive in the sitting room, yes. I am at your service.”
“Can you make sure Captain Fontaine is in the palace? I don’t trust Councilor Ritter.”
Or maybe I don’t trust myself around him. I already have one tattoo. I don’t need another. But he knows just the right thing to say.
Rory looked surprised but nodded. “I can see to that. But you are aware that there are plenty of guards here, right?”
“I know. But I also know the Gryon guards like wine more than they like paying attention.”
Rory snorted. Evelyn continued walking until she got to the bottom of the stairs. Voices came from the sitting room. The urge to run in any other direction was overwhelming.
“What happens if I go back to my room or leave the palace?” she asked.
“I am to restrain you and alert your father.”
Evelyn eyed the guard. “What kind of magic do you have?”
He smirked. “Water.”
“No wonder the king asked you to babysit the Fire princess,” Evelyn grumbled.
“I could carry you the rest of the way. But I’m sure you don’t want your dress wet any more than I want my uniform burned.”
“I’m going!” She urged her feet forward.
Evelyn forced a pleasant expression onto her face before she entered the sitting room.
Haydn was closest to the door, talking with Queen Camille.
The kings were laughing together about something.
Leo and Hannah were chatting quietly in the corner.
Then, like the start of a nightmare, all six of them looked directly at Evelyn.
In her attempt to avoid Leo and Hannah, she accidentally locked eyes with Haydn.
He smiled, and her stomach flipped at the gorgeous sight.
Dammit, why are liars allowed to be attractive?
Haydn bowed. “We were beginning to worry you weren’t coming, Princess Evelyn. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Is it too late to leave? I can handle a fight with Rory.
Evelyn turned her attention to Queen Camille. “I apologize for my tardiness. I didn’t mean to delay lunch.”
The queen chuckled. “We were in no danger of starving.”
“Speak for yourself, my love,” King Gerard said. “Let’s eat!” He walked out of the room, capturing his wife’s hand to take her with him.
Well, at least he’s in a better mood today. Probably because Leo is with Hannah.
Haydn offered Evelyn his arm to escort her to lunch. A quick glare from her father on his way out told her not to refuse. Evelyn dropped her smile but took Haydn’s arm.
She could feel Leo and Hannah behind them, like you can sense the power of the ocean without facing it.
Has he told Hannah anything? Will she ask him about last night?
“You are even more beautiful today, Princess,” Haydn told her loud enough for Leo to hear.
I don’t want compliments today, even from him. I want to hide in my room and not see Leo.
“Thank you, Councilor,” Evelyn said, her voice tight.
“You can call me Haydn.”
“I will not be doing that.”
“Can I call you Evelyn?”
“No.”
“What does the prince call you?” Haydn whispered in her ear, so close she could feel his breath on her skin. “Or are you and Hannah both just Princess so he doesn’t get confused?”
Evelyn ripped her arm away. “You—”
“Evelyn!” her father called, a warning masked by his friendly tone. “You’ve spent so much time away from the palace this week, Councilor Ritter probably knows his way around better than you do.”
“Is that why she was late?” Haydn laughed and put a hand on Evelyn’s back to get her moving again.
“I was barely late,” Evelyn growled.
“But you prefer adventures around the kingdom rather than the routines of court life?”
“I suppose.”
“Sounds like you wouldn’t enjoy being a queen, then.”
Evelyn’s breath caught in her throat.
Whoever Leo marries will be the queen someday.
“I never said I wanted to be a queen.”
“She would hate it,” Hannah added unhelpfully. “Evelyn misses breakfast half the time because she sleeps in.”
“Will you make oversleeping a capital offense when you become a queen, sister?” Evelyn asked, not hiding the menace in her voice.
Hannah didn’t respond, but everyone had reached the dining table. Haydn was a gentleman and pulled Evelyn’s chair out for her. Next to her, Leo did the same for Hannah, and Evelyn nearly lit her napkin on fire.
The dining table was enchanted to increase or decrease in size based on how many guests were there.
It could expand to fit two dozen people, only limited by the length of the room.
But if just a few were present, it would turn into a small square table.
This fascinated Evelyn normally, but right now she resented how it brought everyone closer together.
Haydn sat directly across from Evelyn, with Leo beside him.
Evelyn could feel both of them watching her.
She saw movement in the periphery, then noticed Leo’s attention shift. Evelyn followed his gaze. Rory and Damien now stood against the wall. Damien gave Evelyn a small nod before glaring at Leo, who appeared confused by his friend’s unexpected appearance.
“Councilor Ritter,” King Tristan began. “It’s a shame you have to leave already. Can we expect you back on the continent again anytime soon?”
“I think so. I quite like the company on this side of the ocean.” Haydn winked at Evelyn.
Leo cleared his throat. “Surely you have a lot of work to do in Lochmatten. You can’t spend all of your time traveling.”
“Well, that’s the nice part about being on a council,” Haydn explained. “My colleagues are still hard at work. I have much more flexibility than a king in where I go and who I see.”
“When was the last time Wendell left the isle?” King Tristan asked. “I don’t think he even looked up from his desk when I met him. No disrespect to your fellow councilman, but he might be the least fun person I’ve ever encountered.”
“I heard he ran out of ink five thousand years ago,” Haydn recalled. “The stress of it made him go so far as to dip his toes in the ocean!”
“All anyone in Lochmatten does is study. You should visit Carrowmore,” King Tristan suggested.
“What would be the fun in that?” Evelyn interrupted. “Elemental magic can’t touch him.”
“I forgot about that,” King Tristan said.
“At least I can see it properly, unlike illusions,” Haydn commented. “But yes, we developed barrier wards to prevent Elemental magic from touching our skin.”
“That would keep you safe from Fire magic.”
“Indeed. Your daughter wasn’t happy to learn she can’t burn me,” Haydn said with another grin at Evelyn.
The king’s expression toward his daughter was not a smile. “You tried to burn him?”
“He dared me to,” Evelyn said petulantly. “Nothing happened, anyway.”
“What about Water magic?” Leo asked. “Could you drown?”
That doesn’t sound like an innocent question.
Haydn’s eyes narrowed, but he kept his voice pleasant. “In theory, yes, if you could get the water past my lips and into my lungs. Should I start working on new wards for that?”
Leo shrugged. “You never know what the northerners are up to.”
“Because the fae of Carrowmore keep so many secrets?” Evelyn challenged, staring straight at Leo.
The rest of the table went quiet.
“That’s not what I meant,” Leo said softly. “I spoke without thinking. I apologize.”
“We should all visit each other’s lands more often,” Queen Camille said, easing the tension. “It has been wonderful having guests this week.”
“I agree,” Haydn said. “Lochmatten would be honored to host the royal families.”
Evelyn lowered her head. Her left wrist rested in her lap to hide the evidence of her Bargain.
She pressed a thumb over the tattoo, willing the heart to disappear.
When she glanced up again, Haydn was studying her.
Leo looked back and forth between the two of them, trying to figure out what he was missing.
Haydn asked me to go to Lochmatten with him.
Then Leo asked me to stay in Gryon, but that was before I knew who he was.
Did I really get two bullshit invitations in one night?
Three, if you count Damien’s offer to run away.
Gods, that’s what I should have done. How long can I sit in this palace and pretend everything is fine?