“That’s not true, Hannah.”
“Yes, it is! Even now, on this trip that’s supposed to be about me getting engaged, everyone is focused on you. Because you have even more power than the rest of us and can see past illusions and discover actualmurdersin the city.”
“I don’twantthis magic!” Evelyn argued.
“That’s not the point!” Hannah cried. “You’re so powerful you’re literally saving lives. All I get to do is sit in the palace. Even Father believes that’s all I’m good for. This was supposed to be my chance to be important or special orsomething.”
“You’re already important!”
Hannah let out a bitter laugh. “To who? Father tried to give me away because I wasn’t useful in Carrowmore. Alexander didn’t even acknowledge that I was in the room when he announced he wouldn’t marry me. You have King Alexander, Captain Fontaine, and Councilor Ritter tripping over themselves for your attention.”
Damien doesn’t count. He’s my friend. My very attractive, flirty friend.
“If I weren’t here,” Hannah went on, “my guard would be the only one to notice, and I don’t think Grant even likes me!”
“I would notice,” Evelyn whispered.
A tear fell down Hannah’s cheek. “But you’re staying in Gryon. You’re getting married and becoming a queen. I have to go home and sit in that cold castle without you.”
“A castle full of fae with Fire magic really should stay warmer.” Evelyn threw her arms around her sister. “I don’t want you to leave. I’m going to miss you!”
“I’ll miss you, too. But I can’t stay here without a reason. I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do in Carrowmore, either.”
Evelyn glanced around the room like there might be a brilliant plan on the wall. “Well… what would you want to do? If it were up to you and Father promised to agree, what would you do?”
Hannah frowned. “It doesn’t work like that.”
“But if it did!” Evelyn’s mind flashed with a memory. “You want to travel, right? You were excited to come to Gryon because it’s on the Sapphire Sea and closer to other countries. Is that your dream?”
“It’s not that simple, Evelyn. I can’t just take one of Father’s ships and sail out of Carrowmore.”
“Sure you could! Call it a diplomatic tour!”
Hannah shook her head. “Now that I’m not marrying a prince or a king, I think I’ve had enough royal visits for a while. I wish I could… I don’t know… jump through a magic mirror and go see what Neskowin and Brevig are really like. But that’s only possible in fairy tales.”
Magic mirrors might not be real, but Haydn’s Traveling magic could get her across the ocean.
“I bet we can find a way,” Evelyn said.
Hannah smiled sadly. “It’s fine. Maybe the next betrothal Father arranges for me will be somewhere exciting. But let’s get through your wedding first.”
She’s done talking about herself. I hate that Hannah doesn’t feel like she has control over her own life, but there’s nothing I can do to help her tonight.
“Are you going to be okay tomorrow?” Evelyn asked.
Hannah stiffened. “Of course. My dress will just be a different color than I expected.”
“You’re beautiful in literally anything,” Evelyn complained.
“Tomorrow isn’t about me. I’m happy for you. I’m glad you found the person you want to marry.”
Evelyn ignored the nervous energy in her body, blaming it on all the wine she’d had. “Me too.”
51
Ready
Evelyn fell asleep with pleasant thoughts of being in love with Leo and having a new group of friends in Gryon.
