“You don’t know what they’re doing!”
Rory put a hand on her shoulder and hissed, “Princess! You need to leave!”
I know he’s right. If I’m not brave enough to open the door and set them on fire, I should at least stop listening.
But Evelyn couldn’t make herself go.
“I heard one of the maids say her bed linens werefilthyyesterday morning, if you know what I mean,” the first man said.
“That’s disgusting!”
“Who do you think it was? The king or the captain or the councilor?”
“That’s none of our business! We’re supposed to make sure no one dies. That’s been happening a lot recently, if you haven’t noticed.”
“Maybe the new queen willrewardeach guard for a job well done. Do you think she’ll call us to her room one at a time, or just bend over her new throne while we wait in line?”
Evelyn fled down the hallway and up the stairs. Tears blurred her vision.
Is that what everyone thinks of me? That I’m a whore marrying a king?
She accidentally knocked into Damien on the second floor landing, where he had been talking with Nicolas.
“Evelyn?” Damien grabbed her arms to steady her. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t touch me!” she snapped, pulling away from him.
The king or the captain or the councilor?
“Why are you crying?” he asked. “What happened?”
Evelyn shook her head and tried to go around him, desperate to hide in her room, but he blocked her path.
Nicolas put a comforting hand on her back. “You’re safe here, Princess.”
Damien and Nicolas aren’t my enemies. That asshole downstairs is.
Rory cleared his throat. “Captain?”
Damien’s head shot up, then he and the guard walked partway down the hall. Evelyn couldn’t hear their whispers, but she expected Rory was explaining what had happened.
Queen Evelyn! Her Majesty, the Royal Whore!
“Who the fuck was it?” Damien demanded, no longer bothering to be quiet.
“I don’t know, sir,” Rory said apologetically. “I’m not familiar with all of the Gryon guards.”
“Simon!” Damien shouted at the other guard. “Give me a name!”
“Denis.” Simon spat the name like a curse. “Luc Denis.”
“Fucker. I should’ve guessed. Who was he talking to?”
“Gage.”
Damien marched down the stairs with a growl.
Evelyn spun to follow him. “What are you doing?”
