Chapter 60
Lochmatten
It was an eight-hour journey to Lochmatten. Leo stayed at Evelyn’s side, while Damien found somewhere to hide below deck. Rory entertained the other guards by using magic to twist ocean water into animals that flew alongside the boat. Simon was only a bit jealous of all the attention.
Leo and I will be able to learn Water magic now.
Maybe Rory can help us with that? I wish I could do literally anything with my Perceptual magic.
I should be able to create illusions, or at least see them.
But nothing has changed since the wedding.
Does it take time to develop or am I doing something wrong?
As they approached the isle, Evelyn recognized the rocky cliffs and towering evergreen trees from a vision Haydn had shown her. A narrow channel on the south side opened into a small harbor. From there, they had to climb steep stairs up to the road, then take carriages to the castle.
They passed homes with yards full of wildflowers. People waved at the carriages as they tended the gardens by hand. There were shops and restaurants as they got closer to the city center.
The local economy seemed to be entirely based on books.
Evelyn lost count of the bookstores that all catered to a specific genre; Roses and Thorns romance, Don’t Blink horror, Did You Know?
history, and Bite Me cookbooks. Furniture stores advertised comfortable couches with side pockets for books.
Tea shops claimed that their unique blends enhanced one’s ability to recall details in a story or predict plot twists.
I wish I had time to explore. I think I would enjoy Lochmatten if we weren’t here on official business.
The capital city of Darstellen felt so much calmer than Pointe-Rosemère in Gryon.
The people here went about their business without the distraction of illusions.
It was also friendlier than Ingleside, located near Carrowmore’s castle, but that was probably the weather.
Lochmatten was due east from the horizontal border separating Carrowmore and Gryon.
Subsequently, its climate was well balanced with appropriate seasons, rather than perpetually miserable or always beautiful.
Nearly all of the buildings were made of wood and everything had earth-tone colors.
Evelyn’s necklace had started to hum against her skin as soon as she set foot on the isle. The sensation only increased as they got closer to their destination. She didn’t say anything about it to Leo but considered asking Haydn if she got a chance.
What will Haydn do when he sees me again? With one Bargain in place forcing me to be friendly and another that will make me follow orders, he can do whatever he wants. But I have to get answers about what’s happening in Gryon before more people die.
The stone-gray castle was so enormous, several towers poked out above the treeline.
But there wasn’t a wall or fence or gate, or any other sort of barrier surrounding the castle.
Instead, lush green lawns and ancient oak trees created a park-like setting.
Couples strolled past holding hands. Young siblings raced each other to imaginary lines.
I’m sure Damien will rant later about how tactically indefensible the place is, but I just want to curl up under a tree and read a book.
Cobblestone steps led to the gold-painted front doors.
Moeller waited to greet them at the base of the stairs without masking his boredom.
A younger man with slate-blue eyes and short blond hair stood off to the left.
Evelyn could only describe his expression as skeptically curious.
Haydn was at the top of the stairs, leaning casually on the doorframe.
Here we go.
“Welcome,” Moeller said without enthusiasm.
“Thank you for agreeing to our visit,” Leo said.
Moeller waved vaguely toward the blond man. “I don’t believe you’ve met Councilor Heinrich yet.”
Heinrich inclined his head to show the minimal amount of politeness, then went back to assessing them.
That’s the man who ‘accidentally’ blew up one of Carrowmore’s ships. I wonder what other damage he’s done.
Evelyn hadn’t planned on being a brat, but plans can change.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Councilor Heinrich,” she said, sounding sickly sweet. “Councilor Moeller couldn’t stop talking about you while he was at the palace. I do hope you will show us your extensive collection of exotic bird feathers. Remind me, are they organized by size or species?”
Leo gaped at her like he just realized he’d brought along a donkey instead of a queen. Haydn burst out laughing. Moeller hung his head, but Evelyn definitely saw a smile.
By some miracle, Heinrich appeared amused. Though Evelyn didn’t like the look he sent Haydn, as if Heinrich were impressed and Haydn got credit for it.
“By color, actually,” Heinrich said. “Who doesn’t love a rainbow?”
“Perhaps you would like to settle into your rooms first,” Moeller said dryly. “I’m sure the feathers can wait.”
“That would be appreciated. Thank you,” Leo said before Evelyn could offend anyone else.
Inside the castle, fae in gold tunics waited to guide them upstairs. Evelyn had seen the guards when Moeller was in Gryon but hadn’t noticed that they seemed to be unarmed.
Do they have daggers concealed under their uniforms? Or do these guards really not have weapons? Just how peaceful is Lochmatten?
The castle had a whole tower for guests. Leo and Evelyn were given a suite that took up the entire third floor. Higher up, there were enough smaller rooms to fit all the guards.
Evelyn explored their temporary home. A large living space had comfortable seating, a square table, full bookshelves, and a fireplace.
Plush rugs and woven tapestries dampened any noise.
The bedroom had tall windows, a large bed with gold sheets, and separate bathrooms for each occupant.
Everything was high-quality but not as blatantly fancy as in the palace.
She flopped onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling painted with golden swirls. Moments later, Leo climbed on top of her and laced their fingers together.
Evelyn squirmed at the rush of heat between her legs. “What are you doing?”
Leo’s voice was low and rough. “Looking at you.”
He kissed the sensitive skin below her left ear. “Kissing you.”
Leo released one of Evelyn’s hands and reached down the front of her dress. She gasped as he ran his thumb over her peaked nipple. “Touching you.”
His mouth moved to hers, stealing her breath as he kissed her greedily. Evelyn struggled to think straight, but she recognized that his touch felt possessive rather than seductive.
Leo isn’t on top of me just because he wants to be. He’s claiming me because we’re under the same roof as Haydn and Damien, and Leo is angry at both of them.
But, gods, it feels amazing. He hasn’t touched me since our wedding night.
Someone pounded on the door from the hallway. Leo tensed for a heartbeat, then ignored it in favor of lifting Evelyn’s skirt.
The knocking started up again. Damien shouted through the door, “Sixteen dead bodies! All carved up and rotting!”
That sobered them in a hurry.
Leo rolled off Evelyn and headed for the door. “I’m going to rip his fucking tongue out.”
Someone is grumpy today.
Evelyn sat up. “He has a point. We’re supposed to be working.”
Leo continued into the main room and threw open the door. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Did I interrupt something?” Damien’s voice was all innocence and apology. “I thought we were here to investigate the murder of your guards.”
“If you knock on this door again, I will cut your fucking arm off.”
“Understood, Your Majesty. I’ll make sure Rory knocks for me next time.”
Leo slammed the door shut.
Evelyn stood across the room with her arms crossed. “Do you think being an asshole to our friend makes me want you more?”
Leo’s shoulders drooped.
Evelyn walked around him to leave the room. Damien and her guards were waiting in the hallway. Simon looked pissed, very possibly from Damien flippantly yelling about his dead friends.
“Will the king be joining us?” Damien asked.
“I don’t know,” Evelyn said shortly.
If Leo wants to pout, fine. I have things to do.
She retraced her steps to the main entrance of the castle.
One of the not-guards led them into a large meeting room.
The sketches of the bloody symbols were spread out over the long table.
Moeller, Heinrich, and Haydn were in a hushed conversation as they reviewed the images.
Evelyn and Damien stood on the opposite side of the table.
Evelyn spoke first. “Do you know what any of it means?”
“Not specifically, no,” Moeller said. “It seems to be a combination of at least four different dead languages.”
“Can you translate them all?”
“Probably. Wendell will be most helpful with that.”
“And where is dear old Wendy?” Damien asked.
Heinrich snickered. “He’s working on a different project right now.”
“Can we get him working on this one?” Evelyn didn’t hide her annoyance.
“Why didn’t we think of that?” Heinrich quipped.
“Wendell works at his own pace,” Moeller explained. “Trying to hurry him along only leads to frustration for everyone involved.”
“So what do we do in the meantime?” Evelyn asked.
“Take the opportunity to relax,” Heinrich suggested with casual arrogance. “Aren’t you a newlywed? You and your husband should explore the isle.”
“This isn’t a honeymoon,” Evelyn snapped.
Moeller cut them off. “We will start translating what we can. But yes, feel free to enjoy your afternoon.”
Evelyn’s eyes scanned over the images again. “Can’t I help somehow?”
Moeller raised a brow. “Do you know any dead languages?”
“No.”
“Then no.”
Haydn hadn’t said a word, but his attention burned on Evelyn’s skin.
When is he going to talk to me?
She followed Damien back into the hallway. “Now what?”
“Are you hungry?”
They had missed lunch on the ship, but dinner was hours away. Damien snuck the four of them into the kitchen. The friendly staff, also dressed in gold, gave them a variety of snacks packed in a basket. There were several picnic tables on the grounds. Rory and Simon were just happy to sit down.
Leo should be here with us, like he was the night before the wedding, when we all gathered on the roof. That was only a few days ago and so much has changed since then. Will we ever feel like that again?
Damien sliced bread and cheese for the table. “What do you think so far?”
Evelyn went straight for the sweets. “About what?”
“Lochmatten.” Damien gestured around them. “This place.”
Warm sunlight spilled through the trees. A light breeze smelled like the ocean. They could hear music playing somewhere nearby.
“I like it here,” Evelyn admitted.
Damien nodded. “I had a feeling you would. Lochmatten was different during the war, obviously, but I liked it even then.”
“Did you make friends with the fae here?”
“A few, yeah.”
Evelyn accepted a sandwich. “Did you stay in touch with anyone?”
“No.”
When he didn’t elaborate, Evelyn let the subject drop.
I’m pretty sure Damien and Haydn were friends. Did that not end well? Or is he thinking about someone else?