She inhaled sharply. “You can’t tell him!”
“Doesn’t he deserve to know? Wouldn’t you want to know if he fucked Hannah this morning and twice last night?”
Evelyn pushed those images away. “Haydn, please?—”
“I thought we were getting married, Princess. You are supposed to bemine.”
“I know, but?—”
He took a step closer. “Why shouldn’t I just take you to Lochmatten right now? You know I could get us there in a heartbeat.”
Evelyn’s heartstoppedbeating. “I can’t marry you.”
“Then I guess I don’t have anything to lose.” Haydn turned on his heel toward the palace.
“No!” Evelyn clutched his arm. “Make another deal with me.”
Haydn smiled the way Evelyn imagined a cat would after cornering a mouse. “What kind of deal?”
“Promise me you won’t tell anyone what happened between us in my room.”
“And what will I get in return?”
“What do you want that doesn’t involve me leaving Alexander?”
Haydn went ominously quiet while he considered the possibilities. “Have you heard the human tales of creatures called genies?”
Did I black out? I clearly missed something.
Evelyn shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
“The creatures aren’t real, of course. But human children are taught that if they find a genie, it will grant them three wishes. Riches, beauty, power. Anything they desire.”
“Why are you telling me about a human fairy tale?”
Haydn’s grin reappeared. “I want you to be my genie, Princess.”
This can’t be good.
“What does that mean?”
“You will promise me three favors. You will do whatever three things I ask, with the stipulation that I can’t use a wish to take you from Alexander.”
This is a devil’s deal.
“Why three? Why isn’t one favor enough?”
“It’s one for every time I made you climax. You do want all three of those to stay a secret, right? Because I could do separate deals for each and give you three more tattoos.”
Evelyn’s face heated. “One deal! Three secrets, three favors, one Bargain.”
“Agreed. Say yes.”
Leo can’t know. And Haydn can’t hurt me. But, gods, this is a bad idea.
Haydn tapped his foot. “I’m not feeling especially patient today, Princess. Say yes.”
Fuck.
