He means Hannah. But Leo hasn’t proposed. Not yet.
Not to either of us.
Evelyn clutched her glass almost tight enough to break it. “Are you really trying to find the bright side in the timing of King Gerard’s death?”
“Aren’t you happy for your sister?”
“Your new king is in mourning.” Evelyn seethed. “We don’t need to be happy about anything today.”
“It’s not like this was unexpected. Not after the Kennedy murders.” Lord Stuart said it so matter-of-fact, like he was right about clouds leading to rain.
“All of us with an ounce of decency in our hearts were surprised to find the king impaled outside his own palace!”
“One can only assume the attacks will continue. Both kingdoms have lost a king now and the armies won’t admit they have no idea what to do.”
“Well, since you’re so fucking helpful, what’s your plan?” Evelyn snapped.
Lord Stuart grinned wickedly. “I’ll make sure to send flowers when your father dies next.”
Evelyn saw red. She dropped her wineglass, which shattered on the marble floor. Flames gathered at her fingertips. “You heartless piece of?—”
Damien appeared out of nowhere. He gripped Evelyn’s shoulders to force her backward, careful to avoid her fiery hands.
“Let go of me!” she demanded.
“No.”
He moved her to the far side of the ballroom. Evelyn struggled but had enough self-control to know she couldn’t break free without burning him.
General Savatier had already approached Lord Stuart and didn’t look pleased. Evelyn’s father was in the dining room with Hannah, but everyone else had stopped talking to observe the drama.
Damien shifted one hand to Evelyn’s cheek. “Look at me.”
“Let me go!” Evelyn hissed, fire crackling at her sides.
“Drop the fire and I will.”
“No! I need it to fucking ki?—”
Damien pressed his hand hard over her mouth. “Do not threaten a lord right now. Not here, not today.”
Evelyn glared at him.
Damien’s tone was low and violent. “Don’t be the first thing King Alexander needs to deal with, Princess.”
He got his point across. The rage in Evelyn’s eyes softened enough that Damien returned his hand to her shoulder.
“Put your flames away so I can get you out of here,” he whispered.
Evelyn slowly pulled her magic back into her body.
“Good,” Damien said. “Keep your eyes down and focus on me.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and led her out of the ballroom, snagging a bottle of wine first. Rory and Simon spotted them in the hallway and followed at a distance.
They walked outside and over the east lawn. Damien let go of Evelyn and collapsed at the base of a large tree. He leanedagainst the trunk and used a bit of magic to pop the cork of the wine bottle. “What did he say?”
Evelyn’s anger flared again.
