Chapter 34
Questions
In Evelyn’s nightmare, King Gerard shattered the glass of his coffin before climbing out of it.
His empty eye sockets seemed to fixate on Evelyn.
The dead king screamed at her, except the sound was all wrong because his tongue had been cut out.
Evelyn blinked, and his nose and ears were gone, too.
King Gerard crawled toward her on bloody stumps where his hands had been.
She cried out for help, but she was tied to the chair like the dead soldiers.
After waking from that, relaxing her mind and body in order to summon Energy magic was a welcome reprieve. She was getting better at it, and the ball of light kept getting bigger every time.
Evelyn kept picturing Leo and Hannah holding hands. Her heart hurt like she had a knife stuck in her chest. Thinking of Haydn became a distraction.
As much as I sometimes want to claw Haydn’s face off when he speaks, I am attracted to him. The idea of going to Lochmatten is enticing. Haydn promised knowledge and magic and… maybe not love, but he made it clear he wants to be with me.
What the hell did Leo promise me? Just lies.
Evelyn kept going back to the note Haydn had sent her: “P.S. I miss you. Let me know when you tire of the kingdoms.”
It would be nice to see Haydn again. I have so many questions about the necklace and Energy magic. But am I even allowed to invite him here? This isn’t my palace. Though I doubt an improper invitation would deter him.
Evelyn found parchment and a pen in her desk, then paused.
What do I even say? “If I promise not to slap you again, will you answer some questions for me?”
Somehow, that didn’t seem like an invitation Haydn couldn’t refuse.
Instead, she wrote: Come back. -E
She folded the parchment into an envelope and addressed it to: Councilor Ritter, Lochmatten.
Evelyn went downstairs, followed as usual by Simon and Rory. She gave the letter to a guard at the front door whom she had seen handle mail before. Then she went to breakfast.
Leo glanced up at her when she entered the dining room, but Evelyn avoided making eye contact. She took a seat by Lord Nicolas. He had become her regular alternative to Damien.
“Good morning, Princess,” Nicolas said.
“Hey,” Evelyn said.
“I do wish you wouldn’t be so formal with me,” he teased.
She sat up straight and smiled at him. “I hope you are having a pleasant morning so far, Lord Nicolas Auclair of the Vision Court. It is my greatest honor to be in your presence once again.”
Nicolas laughed. “That’s much better!”
Evelyn rolled her eyes. “You need as much attention as Damien.”
“I take that as a compliment.”
“Of course you do.”
Councilor Moeller’s ship arrived mid-morning, and everyone gathered on the patio to greet him.
Leo tried to blend into the background. King Tristan whispered something to him, which Evelyn guessed was a friendly reminder that Leo was a king now and needed to act like it.
Leo moved to the front of the group after that.
Moeller was tall, with shoulder-length brown hair and a perpetual look of condescension and boredom. He knew the kingdom was lucky to have him there and his goodwill could be revoked at any time. Maybe that was a lot for Evelyn to assume after ten seconds, but she also thought she was right.
The councilor greeted Leo politely and even kissed Queen Camille’s hand. He moved down the line to meet each of the lords and then the Connollys.
“This is my eldest daughter, Princess Hannah,” King Tristan said proudly.
Hannah executed a perfect curtsy. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Councilor Moeller.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness,” Moeller told her, but the lack of any emotion in his voice gave away his disinterest.
“And this is Princess Evelyn, my younger daughter,” King Tristan said next.
Evelyn started to curtsy but stopped when Moeller’s expression shifted from indifference to distrust. He eyed her up and down, his gaze lingering on her curly hair. Evelyn’s skin prickled at the sensation of being inspected.
Moeller’s eyes shot back to King Tristan. “Is she…”
“The second Princess of Carrowmore,” the king said tightly.
Evelyn narrowed her eyes. “Is something wrong, Councilor?”
Moeller’s hard expression softened to mild annoyance and he sighed. “Not my castle, not my horses.”
Evelyn’s patience ran out. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Moeller cocked his head curiously. “Well, I see now why Ritter decided to make you his problem.”
“I am no one’s problem.” Evelyn snarled.
“It will be my problem,” her father hissed, “if you don’t calm down right now.”
Evelyn glared at Moeller, who smirked at her.
“I apologize for any offense, Your Highness,” he said.
“No harm done,” King Tristan said brightly. “It’s been a stressful few days. We’re glad you are here to help us, Councilor.”
“I will do what I can.” Moeller inclined his head, then left to speak with General Savatier.
King Tristan rounded on Evelyn. “What is the matter with you? You cannot speak to our ally like that!”
“But he’s allowed to treat me with disrespect?” she countered. “Did you see or hear anything that just happened?”
“I heard you swear at a High Councilor of Lochmatten!”
Stand up straight and smile. Pretend you’re a princess.
Evelyn adjusted her stance and forced a pleasant expression. “I’m sorry, Father. I guess I’m not as well suited for court as Hannah.”
King Tristan blanched, but she walked away before he could reply.
Leo caught up with her inside. “Evelyn, wait!”
She put the smile back on her face. “Yes, Alexander?”
Leo hesitated at her formality. “What was that all about? Why did Moeller say that you are Ritter’s problem?”
Evelyn noted the anxiety in Leo’s voice.
Good. Let him be confused and frustrated. Gods know I’ve felt enough of that lately.
“Moeller must know that Councilor Ritter asked me to marry him.”
Leo paled. “What?”
“The day after the ball, when Haydn and I went for a walk after lunch,” Evelyn explained.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I didn’t know I was obligated to share all of my private conversations.”
“You aren’t, but… what did you tell him?”
“I haven’t given him my answer yet.”
“But you’re considering it?”
Evelyn crossed her arms. “Why shouldn’t I?”
“You don’t even like Ritter!”
“Don’t I? He’s been kind to me. He’s upfront with his intentions and open about his feelings. He makes promises and is honest with me.”
Am I talking myself into this? Maybe I already have.
The hurt in Leo’s eyes increased with every detail. “You’re really thinking about it? You would actually marry Ritter?”
Evelyn didn’t blink when she said, “If Hannah is getting married, why can’t I?”
This probably isn’t what Damien had in mind when he told me to keep quiet.
Leo reeled back like she’d slapped him. “No, Evelyn, please just—”
“Alexander!” Magalie yelled from down the hall. “We have work to do!”
“You shouldn’t keep everyone waiting,” Evelyn advised.
Leo took a step toward her. “You can’t marry Ritter. Tell him no.”
Evelyn’s heart squeezed, but she ignored it. “Is that an order, Your Majesty?”
All emotion wiped itself from Leo’s face. “No. You are free to do as you wish, Princess.”
Damien showed up at Evelyn’s room in the afternoon. “So Leo is in quite a mood today. Does that have anything to do with you?”
Evelyn took the plate of food he offered. She had skipped lunch to avoid Moeller. And her father. And Leo.
“Not that I’m aware of,” she said evasively. “I’m sure he has lots of things on his mind.”
“Right. What about the—” Damien stared at her. “What are you wearing?”
“…A dress?”
He seized the chain of her necklace and exposed the locket.
“Excuse you!” Evelyn protested.
“Where did you get this?”
“It’s just a necklace!”
“No, it’s not. Where did you get it?”
She didn’t answer. The golden light reappeared inside the locket, like the necklace knew they were talking about it.
“Evelyn? Did your father give this to you?” Damien asked.
“No. Why would he?”
“Then who did?”
“It came in the mail from Lochmatten yesterday.”
Damien dropped the chain. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It didn’t seem that important. I was wearing it yesterday and you didn’t notice.”
“I was distracted by your dress disaster. Did Ritter give you anything else?”
“No,” she lied.
He doesn’t need to know about the book.
“Do you even know what the necklace is?”
“It’s a locket with… magic?” Evelyn was quickly losing confidence.
“The women on the Legislative Council in Lochmatten wear these necklaces,” Damien explained. “They keep a portion of their magic inside the locket.”
“Why?”
“It’s mostly symbolic, I think. Something about humbling themselves in order to focus on what is best for their people, instead of their own power and potential. You can identify women of the council by those necklaces, like kings in crowns.”
“Then why would Haydn send one to me?”
“I don’t know. But I don’t like it.”
Evelyn thought through what Damien told her. “There’s already magic inside. That means it belonged to someone before me.”
“But Ritter didn’t tell you who or how he got it?” Damien asked.
“No,” she replied, fingering the locket.
“Well… if you’re going to keep it—”
“Of course I am!”
“Then Ritter gave you the right advice.” Damien looked pained to admit that. “Keep it hidden and don’t open it. I don’t know what happens if a locket is opened and I’d rather not find out.”
“Should I be worried?”
“No. I don’t know what game Ritter is playing, but I won’t let anything happen to you.”
He smiled reassuringly. His bright green eyes were alluring, drawing her instinctively closer.
I should want him, not Leo.
No, shit, I can’t think like that. Damien is my friend and Leo’s best friend. That’s just… it’s not happening. It can’t.
Damien wrapped his arms tight around Evelyn and pressed a kiss to her head.
But would it be so bad if something did happen with him?