Damien knew what she meant. “I didn’t tell Leo.”
“Why not?”
“He was busy.”
“Busy with what?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, itdoes, Damien.”
He cursed. “Leo is with Hannah.”
Evelyn clenched her fists. “Of course he is. So I shouldn’t be in trouble for being with Haydn.”
“It’s not the same. They didn’tvanish.”
“Leo and I left the palace without permission several times. I hope Hannah feels very special that she isn’t a secret like I was.”
“Evelyn—”
“Let go of me.”
Damien removed his hand from her arm. Evelyn stepped between guards to get to Haydn.
He smiled down at her. “Should we resume our walk?”
“No.” Damien snarled. “The princess is needed at the palace. The king is concerned about her whereabouts.”
“Which king?” Haydn asked. “There are still two of them here, right?”
“Evelyn’s father wants to see her,” Damien clarified.
“If we were such a security disaster, shouldn’t the king ofthiskingdom also have an opinion on the matter?”
Damien didn’t answer, only pointed at the palace.
“We’re going,” Evelyn muttered.
We should’ve stayed in Brevig. I don’t want to see Damien angry or my father disappointed. I certainly don’t want to wait around for Leo and Hannah to get married.
King Tristan was pacing on the patio when they returned. “Evelyn! There you are!”
“I’mfine, Father. I don’t know what all the fuss is about.”
He drew her into a hug. “Where were you?”
The acidic burning of Bargain magic stung Evelyn’s throat.
“On the beach. We went for a walk,” she lied, easing the pain in her neck.
Evelyn moved back to Haydn’s side. King Tristan glanced at Damien, who shrugged unhelpfully.
“We must have gone farther than we planned,” Haydn said. “Evelyn and I were lost in conversation. I’m not sure why the guards couldn’t keep up.”
The king wasn’t dumb enough to fall for the lie either, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. “I think we would all feel better if you stayed inside now.”
“That’s not—” Evelyn started.
