58. Towel
Towel
“Queen Evelyn would remain as the sole ruler of Gryon.”
The next morning, Leo was lying shirtless on his stomach, so deeply asleep that only the palace crumbling to the ground could awaken him at that point.
Gods and devils, what have I agreed to?
When Evelyn emerged from her bath, clean and refreshed, Leo was slowly regaining consciousness. It took him a couple tries to sit up, disoriented from sleeping so hard. He blinked rapidly and rubbed at his eyes.
“You’re cute when you’re sleepy,” Evelyn said.
“You’re cute all the time.” A grin spread across Leo’s face. “That’s a nice dress you’re wearing.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know good and well that this is a towel.”
“You should just wear that today.”
“You want me to parade around the palace in a towel? Are you going to stay in your underwear all day?”
“Good point. I guess we won’t leave this room.”
Evelyn’s cheeks flushed red. She spun around to retrieve her clothes from the armoire. “We have plans today, remember? We’re going to—”
“What is that?” Leo interrupted.
Evelyn tried to find whatever it was that bothered him so suddenly. “What’s wrong?”
He jumped out of bed and strode toward her. “Turn around.”
“Why?”
“What’s on your leg?”
Evelyn stopped breathing.
Shit. Shit shit shit.
“It’s a tattoo,” she whispered.
That didn’t come out casually at all. You sound really fucking guilty.
“Like the tattoo on your wrist? Is this one from Ritter, too?”
“Yes.”
Leo pulled at his hair in frustration. “Why didn’t you tell me you had another one?”
“I was going to. There hasn’t been a good time to talk about it.”
He scanned her up and down. “Are there more?”
Fuuuck.
“There’s one on my side,” she admitted.
“Show me.”
“They all look the same.”
“Ritter didn’t give you unique patterns for your three Bargain magic tattoos?” Leo seethed with sarcasm.
“Leo—”
“Show me.”
Evelyn adjusted her towel to reveal the tattoo on her waist.
“What the fuck, Evelyn?”
“I’m sorry!”
“What are these deals even for?”
“It’s not important.”
“Yes, it fucking is! What do you owe Ritter?”
I can’t give him the truth, but he’ll freak out if I say I can’t tell him at all. The most recent tattoo won’t let me say anything negative. I have to lie.
“I promised to dance with him the next time there’s a ball, and I’m supposed to speak with my father about increasing trade between Carrowmore and Lochmatten.”
“In exchange for what?”
“He’s going to give me a dragon scale and an enchanted bracelet.”
Leo’s features dulled into confusion. “Why? Why did any of that need to be a Bargain?”
“Haydn likes making deals.”
“But why did you agree to them in the first place?”
“Why are you so upset? Leo, all of this happened before you proposed!”
“You should have told me, Evelyn. Back when you explained the tattoo on your wrist, you should have told me about the other ones.”
“I was planning to tell you soon, but there’s been a lot going on.”
“Wait.” Leo’s eyes widened. “Is this why you kept the room dark after we got married? You didn’t want me to see the tattoos?”
“I didn’t want to have this discussion on our wedding night!”
“Is this why you suggested going to Lochmatten? You want to see Ritter?”
“No! I want to know why dead bodies keep appearing and where the last missing guard is!”
“But you do need to see Ritter. He has secrets and presents for you.”
“The tattoos will disappear as soon as the deals are done. I can’t complete the Bargains if I never see him again.”
Leo sat on the edge of the bed. When he spoke, sadness replaced the anger in his voice. “I know that what happened between you and Ritter isn’t my business. But it’s been days, and we’re married, and you’re hiding things from me.”
Evelyn stood between Leo’s thighs and ran her fingers through his hair. “I wanted to tell you at the right time, but I screwed up.”
Is this what Leo felt like when he lied about his real name?
At least he knew the truth would come out eventually.
My secrets need to stay hidden. I don’t want to keep things from him, but I don’t want to ruin what we have, either.
Everything that happened with Haydn is over.
I can’t let a past mistake destroy my marriage.
Leo raised his head. “I learned my lesson about secrets, Evelyn. I don’t want any more of them.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” She leaned in to kiss him, but he turned away. That stung worse than any of his words.
“I need to get ready,” he said. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”
Evelyn stepped back so Leo could grab his clothes off the floor. He dressed quickly and left.
The bed was still warm when Evelyn sat down. She hid her face in her hands.
I’ve made such a mess! I thought Leo and I were better. We fought yesterday, but he apologized. He traveled to three courts to grant me equal rank as queen. We’re married! Can’t we be okay for more than one night?
I need to finish my Bargains with Haydn.
The two deals that I can complete, anyway.
I don’t think there’s an end to the Bargain where I promised not to mention his Traveling magic.
But once I’m in Lochmatten, he will tell me whatever secret he knows about my family.
That will get rid of one tattoo, then I’ll lose another when Haydn uses his last two wishes.
I just need to get through a few more days.