Chapter 46
Happy
Damien stood at the edge of the river, seemingly lost in thought as he watched the steady flow of the water. Evelyn claimed a spot beside him.
“Are you here to yell at me about this morning?” he asked. “Because I would do it again. I probably will, at some point.”
Evelyn’s tone was light. “I know. I should’ve paid attention when Nicolas warned me about you.”
A crooked smile revealed Damien’s interest. “What did he say?”
“That you are a unique combination of kind and lethal.”
“Hmm. What do you think?”
She looked into his green eyes. “I think you’ve kissed my head and cut off someone else’s.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Not as much as it should.”
He frowned. “Evelyn—”
“I told Leo about the spell,” she said to change the subject.
“Did you tell him Ritter sent it to you?”
“Yes, I promised you I would.”
“What did Leo say?”
“He’s okay with it because it’s what I want.”
Damien only stared at her.
His scrutiny gave Evelyn goosebumps. “What?”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Yes…”
Damien hesitated. “Do you want to get married?”
Her brows drew together. “I want to be with Leo. I love him.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“Yes. It is.”
“No, Evelyn. I know Leo is who you want to marry. But do you actually want to get married tomorrow?”
“I don’t have a choice. Leo said we have to get married quickly. That’s why all the lords are still here.”
Damien shook his head. “You always have a choice, Princess. No one can force you to get married.”
“No one is forcing me to do anything! I said yes to Leo.”
“Because you wanted to or because you were scared of losing him again?”
Ouch.
“What do you want me to say?” Evelyn spat.
“That you’re happy!” Damien snapped. “That you’re excited about the wedding. That Leo is your soulmate and you don’t have any doubts even though you’ve only known him for two weeks and you were basically engaged to Ritter two days ago.”
“Stop it!” she hissed.
“Then answer my question. Do you want to get married tomorrow?”
“I want to be with Leo.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why?” Evelyn scoffed. “He loves me!”
“Is that all it takes? I love you!”
“You aren’t in love with me.”
Damien started to say something but then bit his tongue to stop himself. He wiped a hand over his face to clear his expression. “I didn’t lie to you or almost marry your sister.”
Evelyn’s nails dug into her palms. “Leo and I have been over all of that. He apologized.”
“So everything between you is fine?”
“Yes.”
“And you aren’t keeping secrets from him?”
Her jaw snapped shut.
Damien wasn’t done. “Does Leo know everything that happened with Ritter? Or what you were meeting with Moeller about? Or why you needed a Healer yesterday?”
“You don’t know all of those things, either.”
“No, but I’d like to think you would tell me if we were a day away from getting married!”
Evelyn fiddled with the ring on her finger. “I thought you were happy that Leo and I are engaged.”
“I thought you were happy about it, too.”
“I am!”
“Then say it. Say you want to get married tomorrow.”
“I… I want to marry Leo. I just…”
“Evelyn,” Damien groaned.
“It would be nice to have a little more time. But we don’t, so the wedding is tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to do this!”
“Yes, I do.”
He leaned in and lowered his voice. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t get married. But please think about it. You and Leo say you love each other, but the two of you weren’t even on speaking terms when he proposed. If this is really what you want, I will be the first to congratulate you tomorrow.”
“And if it’s not?” She didn’t dare speak above a whisper, like the question itself was a betrayal.
“Do you remember the options I gave you at the ball?”
“Stay until the end or leave with you.”
Damien nodded. “I can take you home. I can take you anywhere.”
“Why? What do you want from me?”
“I want your life to be about more than crying over Leo!”
“That’s not—” Evelyn pulled at her hair. “Leo is your friend!”
“And what has he done for you? What has he given you?”
“He loves me!”
“Then where has he been?” Damien pointed at his own chest. “I was at your side during the ball and the funeral. I protected you from Ritter and my father and that disgusting guard. I took you to the Healer and kept your secrets and held you while you cried. Where was Leo for all of that?”
He’s right. It was always Damien.
Evelyn’s defenses started to break, like a crack appearing in ice. “Leo was figuring out how to be a king!”
“You don’t trust him, Evelyn.”
“We’re working through some things.”
“You’re getting married tomorrow!” he shouted.
“Yes, we are,” she said calmly. “He wants to marry me and I want to marry him.”
Damien stepped back and took a deep breath. “Okay. Promise me one thing, and then I won’t bring it up anymore.”
“What is it?”
“Tell me if you change your mind. I don’t care if you’re in the white dress and already halfway down the aisle. Tell me, and I’ll help you.”
Evelyn blinked away tears. “I promise.”