Chapter 51
Ready
Evelyn fell asleep with pleasant thoughts of being in love with Leo and having a new group of friends in Gryon.
Her dreams, however, were not so peaceful.
Ritter interrupted the wedding and forced her to leave with him.
Leo laughed when Evelyn arrived in a white dress and married Hannah instead.
Evelyn wasn’t allowed to share magic or be crowned as a queen.
There were so many roses everywhere that she vomited from the smell.
Her father and the lords refused to let her marry Leo.
Daphne and Desirée ripped her dress to pieces like evil stepsisters in a storybook.
But the worst dream started out as the sweetest. The ceremony was beautiful.
But after Leo kissed her at the end, Evelyn opened her eyes and all the guests had been replaced with mutilated bodies.
Half of them were missing body parts like the soldiers she’d found in the city.
The other half were covered in burns, if they had any skin left.
All of them stared at her, whether they had eyes or not.
Evelyn woke in a cold sweat.
It wasn’t real. None of that happened. I’m okay.
Footsteps in the hallway preceded quiet morning greetings.
Shift change for the guards?
Evelyn threw on a robe and opened her door.
Simon stifled a yawn. “Good morning, Princess.”
“Hi, Simon. Just you today?”
“So far.” He appraised her through bleary eyes. “Not to sound like an ass on your wedding day, but you don’t look like you slept a minute last night. And not in a fun way.”
Evelyn grimaced. “Bad dreams.”
“You want some tea?” Simon offered. “Or whiskey?”
“Tea would be great.”
“I’ll have some sent up. Also, Odette is assigned to you today. She’ll be along soon to help you prepare.”
“The wedding isn’t until sunset! I can’t possibly need twelve hours to get ready.”
“Hmm… have you seen your hair this morning?”
Evelyn was ready to throw something at Simon’s head until she saw his devious expression.
“Sorry, Princess, but the look on your face was worth a reprimand.”
I like this less formal side of Simon. I’m glad he spent time with us on the roof last night.
A door opening down the hall distracted them. Rory slowly backed out of a bedroom, pulling Desirée along with him because their lips seemed to be glued together. His fingers twisted in her dark hair, while she tugged at the collar of his tunic like she wanted to tear it off.
Simon cleared his throat. Desirée squeaked at the sight of her unexpected audience and darted back into the bedroom. Rory straightened into the proper posture for a guard on duty and walked over to them.
Simon chuckled. “You’re lucky Captain Fontaine hasn’t shown up yet.”
Rory ignored him. “Good morning, Princess. Did you”—he spotted the dark circles under her eyes—“sleep well?”
“I know I look like shit,” Evelyn said. “I’m going to take a bath. Simon promised to get me tea. Odette will have to fix whatever is still broken after that.”
“It’s going to be a good day,” Rory promised. “You don’t have anything to worry about.”
Evelyn smiled at him in thanks and retreated into her room. She filled the tub with hot water and sank into it.
I’m okay. Leo loves me. There will be no dead bodies at the wedding.
…That’s not a normal thing to wish for, is it?
Odette arranged Evelyn’s hair so it was swept to one side, held in place with a large, ornate barrette covered in sparkling diamonds. Evelyn tried not to squirm as Odette applied dark eyeliner and a deep red lip stain.
Before I change into my wedding dress, I’ll hide my necklace in my nightstand. I try not to take it off usually, but it will stand out too much today. Damien and Gabrielle both recognized that it’s from Lochmatten. I don’t need to raise any questions.
A knock sounded on her door. Odette stumbled into a curtsy at the sight of King Tristan.
“May I have a moment with my daughter, please?” he requested.
Odette scurried out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Evelyn stood. “Father?”
Tears gathered in the corners of his eyes. “I’m sorry I haven’t been a good parent to you this week.”
Evelyn couldn’t keep her voice steady as she finally asked the question that had plagued her for days. “Why didn’t you want me to get married?”
“That… is a very long story. One we don’t have time for today.”
“How can it be that complicated? I don’t—”
“I made a mistake, Evelyn,” her father said firmly. “A lot of mistakes, really. I can’t explain my reasons right now, but I need you to know that you didn’t do anything wrong. I know you love Alexander. I shouldn’t have interfered.”
She fidgeted with her dress. “Are you even happy for me?”
“Of course I am, sweetheart. You are marrying the love of your life today. So few people have the chance to experience that. And you’ll be a queen!”
“You told everyone I shouldn’t be a queen.”
Regret marred the king’s face. “I never planned for you to rise so high. I expected you would marry a lord’s son and be happier with minimal time at court. I thought you hated being a princess.”
“I love Leo more than I hate making polite conversation.”
King Tristan let out a short laugh and hugged her. “I’m proud of you, Evelyn. You will be an exceptional queen.”
She swallowed a sob. “I’ll try.”
He let go of his daughter and smiled. “You look so much like your mother.”
“Well, now I know you’re going mad,” Evelyn teased. “Hannah looks like Mother, not me.”
He ignored her comment. “I should let you finish getting ready. You can’t be late for your own wedding.”
“I don’t think it can start without me.”
“Gods help this kingdom.” The king sighed with amusement. “They don’t know what it means to have Fire on the throne.”
Evelyn returned to Gabrielle’s studio for her final transformation.
The strapless gown hugged the curves of her bust and hips before the skirt flared out.
Fabric that appeared white at first glance was opalescent with movement, shimmering shades of blue, pink, and gold.
Lightweight ruffles flowed from mid-thigh to the floor, reminiscent of the mist that gathered at the base of a waterfall.
Evelyn was the fleeting reflection of a rainbow on a crashing ocean wave.
Gabrielle seemed to forget her anger as she watched Evelyn twirl in the magical dress. Her assistants twittered with excitement at the edge of the room. Odette was pretending not to cry.
“Thank you!” Evelyn told Gabrielle sincerely.
“If you damage this gown, I will cut off all that pretty hair of yours while you sleep,” Gabrielle threatened, but her tone didn’t hold any venom.
Damien yelled from the hallway. “We’ve got places to be, Evelyn! Just put the dress on!”
Gabrielle threw her hands up and raved about men not understanding anything. She and her assistants filed into a back room, their task complete.
“Do you want me to let him in?” Odette asked.
Evelyn nodded and Odette opened the door. Damien entered but stopped short when he saw Evelyn.
“Give us a minute,” he told Odette without looking at her.
She left, and Damien moved closer to Evelyn.
“You are exquisite, Princess,” he whispered.
Evelyn smiled. “You told me that the day we met. You were trying your magic on me, but it didn’t work.”
“I never did figure out how to get you to hear me.”
“I’ve always heard you, Damien. You were usually the only one worth listening to.”
He gently traced a line down her jaw. “There’s a carriage waiting outside. Where am I taking you?”
For a moment, Evelyn considered his previous offer.
“I can take you anywhere.”
I could leave with Damien. Right now.
No crown. No forcing myself into a role I don’t want. No more secrets.
This is ridiculous. I can’t run off with Damien just because I’m nervous about today. I’m in love with Leo. I won’t ruin what we have.
What would I even do with Damien? He wants to protect me, but that doesn’t mean he wants to be with me. He’d get bored by tomorrow and find some cute bartender. I’ll have created a scandal with nothing to show for it.
“Evelyn?” Damien prompted at her silence.
“I’m not running away,” she decided. “I’m getting married.”
His brows rose in mock surprise. “That’s today? Is that what the dress is for?”
Evelyn rolled her eyes.
“You could move the wedding down to the beach,” he continued. “You’re shiny enough to scare the seagulls away.”
“Shut up!”
Damien snatched her wrist before she could smack him and kissed the top of her hand. Butterflies danced in Evelyn’s stomach. She pretended they were because of the wedding.