“As you requested, Your Majesty.” Haydn pulled the gift out of his pocket. His eyes glinted at her awed reaction.
The dragon scale was larger than his hand, pointed on one end and curved on the other. The iridescent purple color shimmered in the early sunlight.
Evelynverycarefully took the dragon scale. “You really found one.”
“I promised you I would.” Haydn cleared his throat. “I look forward to increased trade between Lochmatten and Carrowmore.”
“Wha—Right! Yes. I will speak to my father about it once we get home.”
“Wonderful. I’ll see you downstairs for breakfast.” Haydn winked at her, then left without acknowledging Leo.
Evelyn placed the dragon scale in the top drawer of the nightstand.
This is the most amazing thing I own! But also… What the hell am I supposed to do with a dragon scale?
When she turned back around, Leo was fuming.
“I’m sorry,” Evelyn said. “I didn’t know he would come by so early.”
“And you didn’t want to put on a robe before talking to him?”
Oh. I didn’t even think about that. Haydn has seen me in a nightgown before. He’s also seen me without it, but that’s a different problem.
“You don’t have a shirt on,” Evelyn replied.
“Ritter wasn’t leering atme.”
“I wasn’t awake enough to think about what I was wearing.”
“Are you done with him now?”
“Yes. The tattoos aren’t gone yet, but there’s nothing really to be done until the next time we attend the same ball.”
“Thank the gods for that,” Leo grumbled.
Thank the gods he doesn’t know my bracelet is freezing cold from all my lies in the last few minutes. Actually, Leo doesn’t even know what my bracelet does. He didn’t bother to ask. He was just mad it came from Haydn.
Moeller explained the plan for the morning during breakfast. “Alexander, you will train in the greenhouse with an assistant of mine. I need to work with Evelyn outside to see how far she can push her Air magic.”
“That sounds fine,” Leo said. “Thank you, Councilor.”
“Whereoutsideare we going?” Evelyn asked. “Will half of Lochmatten show up to watch me practice on the front lawn?”
“If you’re shy, we can go to the private courtyard. You’re less likely to start a forest fire there, anyway,” Moeller sneered.
“I have perfect control over my Fire!” Evelyn argued.
“But can you stop flames that you’ve sent out on a gust of wind?”
“Probably!”
“Perhaps your Water wielding guard should help supervise this session.”
“I can help, too,” Damien added.
Moeller frowned. “How can youpossiblybe of assistance during a lesson on Elemental magic?”
“Why is she only practicing with elements? Why not see if she can create illusions?”
