Camille pulled Evelyn aside and gave her a warm hug. “I am so happy to have you as a daughter, my dear Evelyn. I was starting to worry Alexander would make the wrong decision.”
Leo’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t you ever tellmethat?”
Camille gazed at her son with sympathy. “You had to make your own choice. This beautiful bride of yours would have said no if you proposed because your mother told you to.”
Leo’s face reddened at the accuracy of her words, then he leaned over to kiss Evelyn’s temple. “I got there in the end.”
This isn’t the end. It’s only the beginning.
53
Darkness
Leo and Evelyn got into a carriage at the end of the night. She was surprised when they turned north, following the road along the river.
“We aren’t going back to the palace?” Evelyn asked.
“No,” Leo explained with a mischievous smile. “There’s a house in the Vision Court that belongs to my family. I thought we could spend a few days there, away from everyone else.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Surprise!”
Evelyn laughed. “I’m in my wedding dress! Is this all I can wear for three days?”
“Odette packed you a bag and it’s already been sent to the house. Everything is taken care of. But honestly, I’m hoping you won’t wearanythingfor three days.”
Heat burned low in her body. “You better keep your hands to yourself until we get there. I’m not going to be caught naked in a carriage if we have to stop on this road.”
Leo winked. “You can keep the crown.”
It took about an hour before the carriage pulled up to a two-story house by the river.
This place looks so ordinary. I can’t picture a royal family staying here, especially not King Gerard.
“This is it?” Evelyn asked as they approached the residence.
“Yes. It’s not fancy, but it’s quiet.”
She spied a smaller house not far away, with a short dock in front. Rory and Simon headed toward it, laughing and yawning. “What is that place?”
“That’s where the guards stay.”
Another guard waited at the front door of their temporary home. “Welcome, King Alexander, Queen Evelyn. The house is ready for you. Two guards have been assigned to stay inside overnight, in case you need anything, but they will remain downstairs and out of your way. Everyone else on the overnight shift will be stationed outside.”
“Thank you, Claude,” Leo said. “I wish you all an uneventful night.”
Claude dipped his head before leaving.
The house had a comfortable living room on the left, a dining room and kitchen on the right, and a staircase in the middle. The two guards paused their card game at the dining table to greet their king and queen.
Leo waved them off. “Don’t mind us.” He took Evelyn’s hand and led her upstairs.
The second floor hallway had soft carpeting and several closed doors. Leo opened one door seemingly at random, but there were oil lamps burning inside and two travel bags at the foot of the large bed. A bouquet of lavender decorated the nightstand. Evelyn walked to the window overlooking the river.
This is perfect. I can’t believe it’s my wedding night already.
Apparently tired of waiting, Leo went to Evelyn and kissed her deeply. His tongue was insistent. She tensed when magic began undoing the laces of her dress.
