“We’re about to be king and queen. I think we should have our rings and crowns before sleeping together.”
“I didn’t think you cared that much about tradition.”
“I don’t, usually.” She scanned the room for inspiration. “But I don’t think most monarchs had sex for the first time on a dirty couch by the docks.”
Leo actually laughed at that. “You might have a point there.”
“So… is it okay if we wait? It’s only two more days.”
“Yes. Anything you want, Princess. But our wedding night might be the only thing I think about over the next two days.”
Evelyn blushed deeper and lifted a hand to tuck her hair back.
Leo’s expression darkened as something caught his attention. “What’s on your wrist?”
Shit. I forgot about that.
I can’t lie. I’ve done enough lying already.
She held out her arm and braced herself for his reaction.
He examined the small heart tattoo. “I don’t remember this.”
Evelyn’s face remained neutral even as her guts twisted around themselves. “It’s from Haydn. But it’s not a normal tattoo. I made a deal with him and the heart is a mark of that.”
Leo dropped her hand. “You made a Bargain with Ritter? About what?”
“When I visit Lochmatten, he will tell me a secret.”
“What kind of secret?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t even know what Bargain magic was at the time. The tattoo was a surprise.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
A spark of irritation replaced her guilt. “When was I supposed to tell you? We’ve barely spoken since that night!”
“Who else knows about it?”
“Just Damien.”
Leo’s nostrils flared. “Why him?”
“It was during the ball. Damien stayed with me while you danced with everyone else.”
“I didn’t have a choice. I did what was expected of me.”
“That’s—” Evelyn cut herself off.
That’s the whole problem. I almost lost you because you only did what your father wanted. If you had made your own choices, maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess.
She tried again. “I understand you were playing the role of a prince that night. Damien chose to be at my side so I wouldn’t be alone while you fulfilled your obligations. He said I should be grateful the tattoo is a heart and not something embarrassing.”
Leo glared at the mark on her wrist.
“Haydn is gone,” Evelyn reminded him. “He’s in Lochmatten, and I’m here with you. You don’t have anything to worry about.”
Probably.
