“They all look the same.”
“Ritter didn’t give you unique patterns for yourthreeBargain magic tattoos?” Leo seethed with sarcasm.
“Leo—”
“Show me.”
Evelyn adjusted her towel to reveal the tattoo on her waist.
“What thefuck, Evelyn?”
“I’m sorry!”
“What are these deals even for?”
“It’s not important.”
“Yes, it fucking is! What do you owe Ritter?”
I can’t give him the truth, but he’ll freak out if I say I can’t tell him at all. The most recent tattoo won’t let me say anything negative. I have to lie.
“I promised to dance with him the next time there’s a ball, and I’m supposed to speak with my father about increasing trade between Carrowmore and Lochmatten.”
“In exchange for what?”
“He’s going to give me a dragon scale and an enchanted bracelet.”
Leo’s features dulled into confusion. “Why? Why did any of that need to be a Bargain?”
“Haydn likes making deals.”
“But why did you agree to them in the first place?”
“Why are you so upset? Leo, all of this happened before you proposed!”
“You should havetold me, Evelyn. Back when you explained the tattoo on your wrist, you should have told me about the other ones.”
“I was planning to tell you soon, but there’s been a lot going on.”
“Wait.” Leo’s eyes widened. “Is this why you kept the room dark after we got married? You didn’t want me to see the tattoos?”
“I didn’t want to have this discussion on our wedding night!”
“Is this why you suggested going to Lochmatten? You want to see Ritter?”
“No! I want to know why dead bodies keep appearing and where the last missing guard is!”
“But you do need to see Ritter. He has secrets andpresentsfor you.”
“The tattoos will disappear as soon as the deals are done. I can’t complete the Bargains if I never see him again.”
Leo sat on the edge of the bed. When he spoke, sadness replaced the anger in his voice. “I know that what happened between you and Ritter isn’t my business. But it’s been days, and we’re married, and you’rehidingthings from me.”
Evelyn stood between Leo’s thighs and ran her fingers through his hair. “I wanted to tell you at the right time, but I screwed up.”
Is this what Leo felt like when he lied about his real name? At least he knew the truth would come out eventually. My secrets need to stay hidden. I don’t want to keep things from him, but I don’t want to ruin what we have, either. Everything that happened with Haydn is over. I can’t let a past mistake destroy my marriage.
Leo raised his head. “I learned my lesson about secrets, Evelyn. I don’t want any more of them.”
