He grinned. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Have you ever been to Carrowmore?”
“No, I haven’t. How does it compare to here?”
“They’re complete opposites,” Evelyn explained. “I grew up in Carrowmore, so the darkness and the cold there feel like home to me. But I love the warm ocean here, too.”
“Is that all you like about this kingdom?”
“Of course not! Everything here is wonderful. At least, everything I canseeis wonderful.”
Damien made it to the table with sandwiches, fruit, and a pitcher of iced pink liquid.
Evelyn examined the plate of fruit. “The peaches are rotten.”
The men stared at the peaches, unable to see what Evelyn saw.
At least they believe me.
She waved her hand, burning the peaches to ash.
“Let’s not get ourselves kicked out of here,” Leo warned.
“Let the woman burn what she wants,” Damien said.
Evelyn took a sandwich but noticed Damien watching her. “Can I help you?”
He eyed her curly red hair. “You look familiar. But I don’t know why.”
“Have you ever been to Carrowmore?”
“No.” Damien frowned. “It’s like you remind me of someone. It’s going to bother me until I figure it out.”
Evelyn wanted to explore more after lunch. Damien and Leo gave her a proper tour of the city, though they could actually agree on very little.
“This is where a witch used to live,” Damien told her.
“She wasn’t a witch. She was a hag,” Leo countered.
“They’re the same thing!”
“No, they’re not. Hags are fae, and witches are human.”
“But they both use magic.”
“Yes, but their magic comes from different sources.”
“So, what, are you supposed to raise your hand and ask about the source of their power before they attack you?”
“I think you can assume that hags are in fae territory and witches are in human territory.”
“But it was a witch who used to live here.”
“She wasn’t a witch. She was a hag.”
They were nearing the far edge of Pointe-Rosemère, where the streets were quieter. Perfect for a witch or a hag.
“What about a crone?”
