Evelyn glared at him again, but Haydn just waited.
“Two secondsandyou won’t touch me?” she confirmed.
“I promise.”
“And no tattoo for this deal!”
“All right.”
Of all my bad decisions, at least this can’t be the worst one.
“Fine.” Without giving herself a chance to overthink it, Evelyn rose on her tiptoes and kissed him.
Kissing Haydn was a drug, a spell, a curse. Somehow, Evelyn had forgotten what it felt like, how addictive it was. She also forgot she was supposed tostop. Her arms wrapped around his neck. She pushed her tongue into his mouth, desperately needing more of him.
Haydn kissed her back, but it wasn’t until his hands found her hips that Evelynremembered.
She broke the connection and stumbled away from him. “No!”
Haydn was breathless. “What color dragon scale do you want?”
“You swore not to touch me!”
“You said two seconds.” Haydn eyed her body. “I would never promise to keep my hands off you longer than that.”
“You lied to me!”
“I don’t think any of what just happened wasmyfault.”
“You—”
“I will hold up my end of the deal. A dragon scale and an enchanted bracelet. I’ll see you in the morning, love.”
A gust of wind blew through the library and Haydn disappeared.
Evelyn, however, was left standing at the base of the tower.
“Haydn!” she yelled. “I don’t even know where I am!”
But he was long gone.
Fuck. I hope that was worth it. Haydn didn’t promise to keep the kiss a secret. If he tells Leo… No, he won’t say anything. Haydn likes his secrets too much.
I’ve been married for two days and I’ve already kissed someone else. But it’s not like I’ll do it again! I just need to get past these Bargains with Haydn. Once my tattoos are gone, Leo and I can go back to normal… whatever that is.
It took an hour of wandering barefoot through the castle for Evelyn to find her way back to her room. She hadn’t seen or heard anyone anywhere in the castle. Complaints about the appalling lack of security would be filed tomorrow.
63
Women
Haydn wasn’t at breakfast the next morning, nor was Councilor Wendell. But Moeller and Heinrich had brought their wives.
Victoria Moeller was even less friendly than her husband. She wasn’t disrespectful, but both of the Moellers definitely prioritized their work over hospitality. Victoria was a member of the Legislative Council. She had dark, pin-straight hair down to her waist, and eyes like a bird of prey.
I’m not sure we’ll ever be friends, but I want to be on her side.
Tasia Heinrich had lavender eyes and blonde hair that tumbled over her shoulders in tight spirals. She was all smiles, but in a way Evelyn immediately didn’t trust. Tasia didn’t have any authority beyond being married to Councilor Heinrich. Even so, Tasia almost certainly had intricate knowledge of everything happening on the isle.
