“Camille,” King Tristan said, only marginally calmer. “Please ensure that my daughters remain inside the palace.”
“Of course,” the queen agreed, her eyes full of questions.
King Tristan stormed out the door with King Gerard.
Damien returned to Evelyn’s side. “We will bring in a Spell Breaker. They have the ability to undo illusions so the rest of us can see the message.”
“Fontaine!” King Gerard yelled.
Damien gave Evelyn an apologetic smile and hurried out the door.
“What’s going on?” Hannah asked.
Evelyn ignored her sister and retreated to her room for a bath. Even though Evelyn hadn’t touched any blood, the metallic scent was stuck in her nose. A cold sweat made her sticky.
How long were the soldiers’ bodies waiting in that shop? Would they have been found if I hadn’t noticed the blood on the door? Who killed them and hid them away? Who is evil enough to rip out eyes and tongues?
Is my family next?
8
Tea
Evelyn was alone in the abandoned shop. The dead soldiers sat in their chairs, missing body parts and bleeding all over the floor. They laughed at her, and the one without a tongue sounded horrifying. Evelyn read the message on the wall, but the words were wrong. Now it said:Where are you, Princess?
Evelyn woke from the nightmare with a scream. She fingered the soft sheets and smelled the lavender bouquet to reassure herself the world around her was real.
“It was a dream.” She got out of bed, an overwhelming urge to run bubbling in her gut. “You are fine. Everything is okay.”
Even so, Evelyn threw a robe over her nightgown and fled the room.
Tea will make me feel better. Tea fixes everything.
The kitchen was large enough to accommodate royal events. Leo sat at a small table in the front corner, his elbows resting on the tabletop and his head in his hands. It was the middle of the night, but he was still dressed. Evelyn waited silently by the door.
He looks exhausted… Is he even awake?
Leo blew out a breath and sat up straight. A genuine smile appeared on his face when he saw Evelyn. “Hi.”
“Can I join you?” she asked.
“Of course!” Leo stood to greet her.
“Are we plotting or wallowing tonight?”
Leo chuckled. “Whichever you like, Princess.”
“I think I’ve had enough wallowing. Plotting it is.”
“Why are you up so late?”
“I had a nightmare,” Evelyn admitted.
Leo looked sad at that but not surprised. “Can I make you some tea?”
“I would love youforeverif you made me tea right now,” she told him dramatically.
“Promise?”
