Butterflies filled Evelyn’s stomach as she realized what she’d said.
Gods, is this what Hannah feels like all the time? This floating, giddy nonsense?
Leo didn’t wait for an answer, just moved to the stove and got a kettle boiling.
Evelyn leaned against a counter. “What about you? Why are you awake?”
“I couldn’t sleep,” he replied. “It was a long day. We interviewed half of the army and most of the neighborhood around the shop. But nobody saw or heardanything.”
“How is that possible?”
“We don’t know. Whoever killed those soldiers is either very sneaky or very talented with illusions.” Leo drummed his fingers on the countertop. “Or both, which is exponentially worse.”
“Did you learn anything from the interviews?”
He sighed. “Yes and no. It doesn’t seem like anyone here was involved. That’s technically good news because it means we cantrust our people. But it also doesn’t get us any closer to figuring out whoisresponsible.”
“That’s what happened with the Kennedys,” Evelyn remembered. “Everyone had an alibi, and eventually they ran out of people to question.”
Leo poured two mugs of tea and found some cream and sugar. He and Evelyn sat down at the little table.
She cocked her head. “Can I ask you something?”
“Always,” Leo said without hesitation.
“Why do you use an illusion to hide your eyes?”
He widened his eyes, showing them off. “People find two different-colored eyes distracting.”
Evelyn couldn’t argue with that. She was staring at him again, which he definitely noticed. “Have they always been different colors?”
“Yes.”
“Then isn’t it like you’re hiding part of yourself?”
Leo grinned. “Maybe I’m saving a small part for people worth showing myself to.”
Evelyn rolled her eyes. “You didn’t have a choice with me.”
“Even if I did, it wouldn’t change anything.”
They were silent for a minute, sipping their tea.
“The staff here have been whispering rumors all day,” Evelyn said.
She recalled the hushed conversations throughout the palace:“Did you hear that the younger princess found the bodies?” “I heard more soldiers are missing.” “Do you think the Connollys will leave?” “What if King Tristan is involved?”
Leo’s expression darkened. “They shouldn’t be doing that, especially not loud enough to be overheard. I can talk to them in the morning.”
“They just want to know what’s going on. I don’t blame them for gossiping. The kings aren’t saying anything and it’s suffocating to feel surrounded by secrets.”
“You’re right. Damien said something similar about the army. He wanted to be honest about what happened to the soldiers, but King Gerard refused to announce anything. So now, that’s all anyone can talk about while nobody has accurate information. Same thing in the city with the neighbors and business owners. It’s a mess everywhere.”
“How do we fix it?”
“Without angering two kings? I wish I knew the answer.” Leo took a sip of tea. “Damien said things didn’t go well when he brought you back here.”
“No. My father wasn’t happy that I’d left the palace, much less the rest of it.”
