The five of them went to find Josephine. She filled the air with the scents of flowers, garbage, and roasting meat. Evelyn could smell all of it, albeit faintly.
Someone on staff notified them that it was time for dinner and led them back to the dining room. Damien decided he was invited to the formal meal since Leo wasn’t actively threatening him anymore. Moeller, Heinrich, and Haydn sat on one side of the table, with Leo, Evelyn, and Damien on the other.
“Where are the Councilwomen?” Evelyn asked.
“In a different part of the castle,” Heinrich said. “They rarely deign to eat with us.”
“I knew they were smart,” Damien said through a mouthful of food.
Heinrich eyed Evelyn’s gold necklace. “The women on this isle have always been clever.”
Evelyn bristled under his gaze and fidgeted with the chain around her neck. The locket was still humming almost imperceptibly.
“You can meet the Legislative Council tomorrow,” Moeller announced.
Leo straightened. “Will they be helping us figure out the symbols?”
“No,” Moeller said flatly. “They have better things to do.”
“What about Wendell?” Evelyn asked. “Will he climb out of his hidey-hole in the morning?”
Haydn snorted and Heinrich choked on his bite of food.
Moeller leaned back in his chair and raised his glass to her. “Here’s to hoping. If not, we can throw you in with him.”
“We just want this matter resolved,” Leo said tactfully. “We are putting our faith in you and Councilor Wendell.”
“He will translate what you brought us,” Moeller assured them. “The sooner he does, the sooner you can all return to your own kingdom. Everybody wins.”
“How charitable of you,” Evelyn grumbled.
Moeller lifted a brow at her. “I was going to offer to teach you and the king how to wield yoursevennew magical abilities. But perhaps you don’t want my help.”
Evelyn’s cheeks reddened and she bit her tongue.
“What’s the point?” Heinrich laughed. “Kings keep dying on that continent. Why spend time teaching them magic when there will be a new king next week? I swear, the kingdoms spin in circles like a dog chasing its tail.”
How much trouble it would cause if the napkin in his lap caught fire?
“There won’t be a new king,” Leo said firmly. “If I’m killed, Evelyn will remain in power.”
All three councilors stared directly at Leo.
That seems like a bad sign.
“How could that be?” Moeller asked.
“We made some changes,” Leo explained. “Queen Evelyn has equal rank on the throne. She inherits the kingdom if something happens to me.”
Heinrich glanced at Haydn, who wore a devilish smile.
Is Haydn happy for me? Or is that reaction something else?
“That’s very progressive of you,” Moeller said, but his words were more question than compliment.
“Evelyn is an excellent queen,” Leo said.
“When she’s quiet,” Damien muttered.
