Chapter 38
Freefall
Evelyn woke early the next morning. Haydn was sleeping on his stomach with an arm draped over her waist. His wavy silver hair was curled by sweat from the night before. She listened to his slow breathing.
Do I want this?
The ring was still on her finger.
Do I want him?
She slipped the ring off and studied it.
I don’t not want him.
The emerald stone was shiny in the sunlight.
He wants me. Is that enough?
Evelyn got out of bed quietly so as not to wake him. She set the ring in the top drawer of her nightstand.
Maybe.
As she filled the tub with hot water, Haydn’s words kept running through her mind. “I can make you forget. I can make you feel better.”
He did. I enjoyed last night. Not just what happened in bed but also being with him on the mountain. Haydn took me to see dragons and made my magic stronger. Even at dinner, he made it clear to everyone that he was there for me. And Leo made it clear that he is with Hannah.
Evelyn scrubbed at her skin like the memory of Leo kissing Hannah could be wiped away with soap.
Why shouldn’t I be with Haydn? He wants to make me happy. Why should I say no?
She’d barely stepped back into the bedroom, wrapped in a towel, before a naked Haydn locked his arms around her.
“You weren’t in bed when I woke up,” he said, kissing her neck.
“You looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to disturb you,” Evelyn explained.
“Come back to bed.”
“I just took a bath.”
“But you didn’t invite me.” Haydn kissed her hard. “Come back to bed.”
He didn’t give her a choice. Haydn tore the towel off Evelyn and tossed it aside. Then he grabbed the back of her thighs, picked her up, and carried her to the bed.
I like how bold he is. He wants to touch me, so he does. It’s not complicated or political. It’s just us.
Evelyn lay down with Haydn beside her, propped up on an elbow. His mouth greedily covered her breast. Sparks shot through her body as he flicked his tongue over her nipple. She clenched her thighs together, enjoying the pressure there.
Haydn trailed his fingers down her stomach. “Spread your legs for me, Princess.”
“What happens if I don’t?” Evelyn asked obstinately.
She gasped when his hand gripped her throat. It wasn’t enough to hurt, but got her attention.
Okay, he doesn’t want me to be a brat right now. Noted.
“If you don’t,” Haydn answered, staring down at her, “I will pick a different hole and fuck you there. Are you ready for that?”
Evelyn shook her head. Her heart raced but not out of fear.
Haydn squeezed her neck a bit tighter. “Then give me what I want.”
She let her knees fall open, revealing the softest part of her. Haydn released her throat and moved his hand down. Evelyn squirmed as his fingers explored.
“You’re wet, Princess,” he purred. “You like it when I’m rough with you.”
“Yes.” Her breathing was ragged as he pushed deeper.
“What would you prefer this morning? Should I make love to you, sweet and gentle?” Haydn’s fingers stilled and Evelyn glared at him. He only smirked at her frustration. “Or should I fuck you senseless like I did last night?”
He pinched her clit. Evelyn’s hips bucked and she had to cover her mouth to keep from crying out.
“Answer me,” Haydn demanded.
“Fuck me!” Evelyn begged.
Haydn settled between her legs. He stayed upright, his gaze roaming over her possessively.
“You’re perfect.” Haydn lifted her hips and eased himself in. “Look at me while I fuck you.”
Evelyn’s eyes fluttered open. Haydn drove himself into her, his pace punishing.
She thought of the ring. “Haydn?”
“Yes, love?” He changed position, lowering himself to kiss the hollow of her throat.
Evelyn’s mind went momentarily blank. “Can we do this every day?”
Haydn slowed his movements between her legs. “If you come with me, Princess, I will do whatever you want, as often as you want it.”
“What about what you want?”
“I want you naked in my bed. The rest of the day, you should be sore from what I’ve done to you.”
Evelyn couldn’t help but blush, even though it was a silly thing to be embarrassed about while Haydn was buried inside her.
“Don’t make me wait until we’re in Lochmatten,” she said, finding her confidence again.
Haydn’s eyes flashed with mischief. He pinned Evelyn’s hands down on each side of her head. She circled her legs around him and he pounded into her at just the right angle. Tension coiled low inside her and Evelyn was close to breaking.
She did not appreciate an interruption.
“Princess?” Rory called through the door with a knock. “Are you awake? You are wanted downstairs.”
“I have to get dressed!” Evelyn yelled. “I’m coming!”
“Yes, you fucking are,” Haydn growled.
One more deep thrust was enough. Evelyn bit down to keep from screaming because she did not need Rory’s help with this. The orgasm ripped through her. Moments later, Haydn grunted and liquid heat spilled between Evelyn’s legs. When he rolled off her, they were both breathing hard.
“I have to go,” she whispered.
He kissed her. “Come with me. We won’t have to hide in Lochmatten.”
“I can’t leave right now.”
“Why not?” Haydn’s tone was suddenly cold.
“I… I’m not ready.”
“Where is your ring? Why did you take it off?”
“It’s in the nightstand.”
“Are you going to marry me?”
Haydn was staring at her with such intensity that Evelyn had the vague feeling of being in trouble.
“I’m not saying no. I just can’t say yes yet.”
Haydn looked like he was going to argue, but he let Evelyn scramble out of bed and quickly get dressed.
“Are you staying here?” she asked, putting her shoes on.
“Once you’re gone, I’ll disappear.”
“I’ll see you later.” Evelyn kissed him one more time before rushing out the door.
Simon greeted her in the hallway. “Sorry to bother you so early, Your Highness. King Tristan asked for you and Princess Hannah to meet him in the sitting room.”
“Do you know why?” Evelyn asked.
“No, we weren’t given a reason.”
Rory and Simon walked her downstairs, where her father and sister were waiting. Evelyn was immediately suspicious because they were standing around, not sitting casually.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” King Tristan said.
“You’re late,” Hannah admonished.
Evelyn glared at her. “I was taking a bath. I didn’t expect a meeting before breakfast.” She smoothed her hair, erasing any lingering evidence of being in bed.
“I received a letter from Rowan this morning,” their father said, not allowing their bickering to escalate. “A maid went into my bedroom yesterday and found it ransacked. Everything was thrown out of the closet and drawers, the mattress was moved, and some things were broken.”
Hannah’s eyes were about to pop out of her head. “Who would do that?”
“How could someone do that?” Evelyn asked.
“No one knows yet. But since the room has been empty, maids have only been going in every few days to dust. So they aren’t sure when it happened, either.”
“Do we need to go home?”
Please say yes. I want to be back in my own bed.
I want to see Rowan and tease him about his girlfriend, Emily.
I want to eavesdrop on discussions about who will replace my father as Lord of the Fire Court.
At this point, I even miss the rain. If I end up leaving with Haydn, I still want to go home for a while first.
“No, Rowan is handling it,” King Tristan said.
“He ordered increased patrols and frequent checks of all spaces in the castle and on the grounds. But no one could tell if the intruder took anything or not. Nothing is obviously missing, but without me there to check my belongings, they can’t be sure.
It’s not important enough for us to leave. ”
Dammit.
Hannah wrung her hands. “What do you think they wanted?”
“I don’t know. Anything of real value would be in my office or the armory, not my bedroom. But since no one was hurt, I don’t want to worry too much about it. I trust Rowan to take care of things.”
He’s saying that to keep Hannah calm.
Leo knocked on the doorframe. “May I interrupt?”
“Of course,” King Tristan said.
Evelyn avoided Leo’s gaze as he walked in.
He isn’t mine, and I am not his.
“King Tristan, I apologize for the delay in my decision,” Leo said. “I wish to ask you now for permission to marry your daughter.”
Hannah put a hand over her heart, while Evelyn felt like she had been pushed off the side of that dragon mountain.
King Tristan beamed. “I am so pleased to hear that, Alexander! Hannah will be—”
“Not Hannah, Your Majesty.”
Evelyn stopped mid-freefall.
Not Hannah?
King Tristan’s expression hardened. “Pardon?”
“I wish to marry Evelyn.”
No one in the room made a sound. Evelyn stared straight ahead without really seeing anything.
Am I dreaming? Did he say my name?
“I don’t understand,” King Tristan said slowly. “The arrangement was for Hannah. I thought the matter was settled?”
“Your eldest daughter is lovely. She will be a wonderful bride for someone else. I simply cannot marry her.”
A strangled cry burst out of Hannah’s mouth. Flames flashed across her eyes and over her fingers before she tamed them. Then she swiftly left the room without acknowledging anyone.
That was the closest to a full-blown tantrum I’ve ever seen from my sister.
Evelyn’s head was spinning. She took a seat on the couch behind her to avoid collapsing on the floor.
“Are you sure you want to marry Evelyn?” her father asked.
Evelyn dug her nails into her palms, nearly hard enough to draw blood.
Are you sure you want this ill-tempered pile of garbage to be your bride?
Leo’s voice was confident. “My heart has belonged to Evelyn since the night she arrived. I am hopeful she is willing to give me her heart in return.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
I don’t know if I’m more scared of the moment ending or continuing. Leo wants to marry me? But I just decided to go with Haydn…
King Tristan sighed. “Then I will let Evelyn make the decision.”
Her father left the sitting room and closed the door.
He didn’t give his blessing. Making it my choice isn’t the same thing.
Leo kneeled in front of Evelyn. “Princess?”