“He isn’t needed,” Leo said through gritted teeth.
“Yes, he is!” Evelyn hissed.
“Why?”
“Because I will feel safer with him there.”
Leo bit down to physically stop himself from arguing. “Fine.”
He took her hand and they walked back to Damien. “You have thirty minutes to pack a bag,” Leo told him impatiently.
Damien’s bright green eyes flashed briefly to Evelyn before he refocused on Leo. “Yes, sir.”
How much did that win cost me?
60
Lochmatten
It was an eight-hour journey to Lochmatten. Leo stayed at Evelyn’s side, while Damien found somewhere to hide below deck. Rory entertained the other guards by using magic to twist ocean water into animals that flew alongside the boat. Simon was only a bit jealous of all the attention.
Leo and I will be able to learn Water magic now. Maybe Rory can help us with that? I wish I could do literally anything with my Perceptual magic. I should be able to create illusions, or at least see them. But nothing has changed since the wedding. Does it take time to develop or am I doing something wrong?
As they approached the isle, Evelyn recognized the rocky cliffs and towering evergreen trees from a vision Haydn had shown her. A narrow channel on the south side opened into a small harbor. From there, they had to climb steep stairs up to the road, then take carriages to the castle.
They passed homes with yards full of wildflowers. People waved at the carriages as they tended the gardens by hand.There were shops and restaurants as they got closer to the city center.
The local economy seemed to be entirely based on books. Evelyn lost count of the bookstores that all catered to a specific genre;Roses and Thornsromance,Don’t Blinkhorror,Did You Know?history, andBite Mecookbooks. Furniture stores advertised comfortable couches with side pockets for books. Tea shops claimed that their unique blends enhanced one’s ability to recall details in a story or predict plot twists.
I wish I had time to explore. I think I would enjoy Lochmatten if we weren’t here on official business.
The capital city of Darstellen felt so much calmer than Pointe-Rosemère in Gryon. The people here went about their business without the distraction of illusions. It was also friendlier than Ingleside, located near Carrowmore’s castle, but that was probably the weather. Lochmatten was due east from the horizontal border separating Carrowmore and Gryon. Subsequently, its climate was well balanced with appropriate seasons, rather than perpetually miserable or always beautiful. Nearly all of the buildings were made of wood and everything had earth-tone colors.
Evelyn’s necklace had started to hum against her skin as soon as she set foot on the isle. The sensation only increased as they got closer to their destination. She didn’t say anything about it to Leo but considered asking Haydn if she got a chance.
What will Haydn do when he sees me again? With one Bargain in place forcing me to be friendly and another that will make me follow orders, he can do whatever he wants. But I have to get answers about what’s happening in Gryon before more people die.
The stone-gray castle was so enormous, several towers poked out above the treeline. But there wasn’t a wall or fence or gate, or any other sort of barrier surrounding the castle. Instead, lushgreen lawns and ancient oak trees created a park-like setting. Couples strolled past holding hands. Young siblings raced each other to imaginary lines.
I’m sure Damien will rant later about how tactically indefensible the place is, but I just want to curl up under a tree and read a book.
Cobblestone steps led to the gold-painted front doors. Moeller waited to greet them at the base of the stairs without masking his boredom. A younger man with slate-blue eyes and short blond hair stood off to the left. Evelyn could only describe his expression as skeptically curious. Haydn was at the top of the stairs, leaning casually on the doorframe.
Here we go.
“Welcome,” Moeller said without enthusiasm.
“Thank you for agreeing to our visit,” Leo said.
Moeller waved vaguely toward the blond man. “I don’t believe you’ve met Councilor Heinrich yet.”
Heinrich inclined his head to show the minimal amount of politeness, then went back to assessing them.
That’s the man who ‘accidentally’ blew up one of Carrowmore’s ships. I wonder what other damage he’s done.
Evelyn hadn’t planned on being a brat, but plans can change.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Councilor Heinrich,” she said, sounding sickly sweet. “Councilor Moeller couldn’t stop talking about you while he was at the palace. I do hope you will show us your extensive collection of exotic bird feathers. Remind me, are they organized by size or species?”
