Evelyn rolled her eyes. “What about the dragon scale?”
“I’m working on it. This isn’t the winter solstice, love. You don’t get all your gifts at once.”
Evelyn stood up, but Haydn pulled her down onto his lap. “I’ll give you anything you desire. I will pay any price to make you stay with me.”
She flushed as the bracelet warmed against her skin. “I’m not for sale.”
Wrenching his hands off her, Evelyn crossed the room.
Haydn followed and spun her around to face him. “You want to be mine, Evelyn. I know you do.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then why is the bracelet cold?”
Evelyn glanced down and saw Haydn holding her wrist, but not the one with the bracelet. He grinned at her, knowing his guess was right.
Is Haydn who I want? In some ways, he would be easier than Leo. But it’s too late now.
The door opened and Leo entered with a tray of food. Haydn dropped her hand but intentionally not fast enough. Confusion and anger warred on Leo’s face as he processed the scene.
Evelyn held up her arm. “He brought me the bracelet.”
Leo gritted his teeth. “So he did.”
“I’ll be going now. Have a pleasant day, Your Majesty.” Haydn bowed to Evelyn before leaving.
Leo put the tray down on the coffee table. “Moeller wants to see you. I need to find Damien. He wasn’t at lunch, either.”
“Really, Leo, Haydn was only here to?—”
Leo left before she could finish and slammed the door behind him.
Did Haydn plan for this to happen? Did he time it right so Leo would walk in on us? Haydn promised not to use a Bargainto steal me from Leo, but clearly that doesn’t mean he can’t cause problems in other ways.
Evelyn found Moeller in a large room that, based on its location, shouldn’t have any windows. Yet, it was functionally a greenhouse. The walls and ceiling were all made of glass, with sunlight streaming through. Plants of various sizes lined the edge of the room. Moeller almost smiled at the incredulity on Evelyn’s face. The corners of his mouth twitching up was as close as he would get to laughing.
“I don’t understand,” Evelyn said. “How is this room both outside and in the center of the castle?”
“Do you need more than one guess?” Moeller asked.
Evelyn sighed. “Magic.”
“I hope that wasn’t too strenuous on your mind, Your Majesty. There is much work to be done to make you competent with your powers.”
“You’re kind of an asshole. Did you know that?”
“Do you wish for me to flatter you like Ritter does?”
She scowled at him. “No.”
Moeller narrowed his eyes. “What’s he done now?”
My Bargain won’t allow me to complain about Haydn. But I can ask other questions…
“Did you know my mother?”
Moeller’s gaze softened. “Did Ritter tell you about Katrina?”
