Leo stood up. “I’ll take care of it.”
“You don’t have to?—”
“It’s fine. Let me walk you to your room, and I’ll clean it up. You can take the book with you. No one will mind.”
Evelyn rose off the couch.
I am actually tired now.
“Wait!” Leo stopped her. “Are my eyes still different colors to you?”
“Yes. I guess your illusion magic hasn’t improved yet.”
Leo nodded. For a moment, he looked like he might ask another question but changed his mind.
There’s something he’s not telling me. But it’s just his eye color. How bad could it be? Maybe he’s insecure about his eyes not matching. I like them, especially when he looks at me likeI’m… I don’t know… worth looking at. Everyone is so focused on Hannah and I feel like I’m tagging along.
They left the library together. As they entered her room, a burnt smell greeted them.
Shit! I forgot to open a window before I ran out earlier.
She hurried over, carefully avoiding shards of glass on the floor.
Leo used lesser magic to reform the shattered vase. It was discolored, blackened from smoke, but a bit more magic wiped that away.
“Thank you,” Evelyn said, embarrassed at needing help cleaning up her tantrum.
“Get some sleep now, Princess.” Leo bowed. His eyes lingered on Evelyn for a few moments before he left.
At least he didn’t laugh at me. He didn’t judge me. Does that mean I can trust him?
5
The River
Evelyn woke the next morning without her sister yelling at her. She’d dreamed about adventures with the old gods, dancing at the palace, and gazing into charming blue eyes.
Will Leo be at the ball? Am I allowed to dance with a high-ranking guard, or is that beneath a princess? I wish Father were still just the Lord of the Fire Court.
She rolled over and checked the clock. “Shit! I’m late!”
Evelyn threw on a simple dress, deciding she could bathe later and change into a better gown then. But a glance in the bathroom mirror revealed another problem.
“Nooo,” she whined. Evelyn had her usual red curls, yes. But she also had straight hair, wavy hair, frizzy hair, hair stuck to her forehead, and hair reaching for the heavens.
This never happens to Hannah.
Evelyn’s hands heated with Fire magic and she ran her fingers through the tangles. Her hair surrendered to the heat, straightening out enough for Evelyn to braid it.
Good enough.
She rushed downstairs.
It’s better to be late than not show up at all, right?
Evelyn rounded the last corner before the dining room and slammed into a person. She stumbled backward, bouncing off the man. He clutched her arms to steady her before she could fall.
“I’m so sorry!” Evelyn gasped.
