Evelyn backed away. “Why did you pull me out of bed in the middle of the night?”
“I missed you. Didn’t you miss me?”
“No! I got married and moved on!”
“I’m not sure I believe that.”
“You didn’t notice my husband sleeping beside me?”
“I noticed him walking on eggshells around you today.”
Evelyn scowled. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Haydn smirked. “Enlighten me. Tell me the joys of married life. Tell me why you spent all afternoon with Fontaine instead of your husband. Tell me what the king did that was so bad he had to apologize by naming you heir to the kingdom.”
“He made me his equal. Isn’t that what you always promised me?”
“Yes, but I meant it. I also never rescinded that offer.” Haydn traced a finger down her cheek. “What’s happened since I left?”
Evelyn swatted his hand away. “Sixteen dead bodies happened. That’s the only reason we’re here.”
“So you just want me to take you back to your room? You don’t want to talk to me at all?”
Evelyn opened her mouth to say yes but hesitated.
I do have questions. I can’t waste this chance to speak with him alone.
She lifted the necklace he’d sent her. It feltalive,even though it wasn’t visibly doing anything. “This has been… I don’t know. I’ve been able to feel it since I got here.”
“I already told you I can’t explain the necklace yet,” Haydn said.
“But I’m here! That was the deal! I come here and you tell me the secret.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Why not now?”
“Because I want a reason to see you tomorrow.” Haydn chuckled as she cursed at him. “Anything else you want from me?”
“I…”
“Yes, my love?”
Evelyn sighed. “I need a dragon scale and an enchanted bracelet.”
That caught Haydn off guard. “I’m sorry, you needwhat?”
“I told Alexander that you’re giving me a dragon scale and an enchanted bracelet.”
He blinked at her. “Youliedto your husband about me giving you rare and expensive gifts?”
“…Yes,” Evelyn confessed.
“You have my full and undivided attention, gorgeous.”
“He saw the tattoos! I couldn’t tell him what the deals were actually for.”
Haydn’s eyes glinted, even in the dark. “So you lied.”
