How long has it been since the explosion?
Remembering protocol, Damien bowed. “King Tristan, I apologize for interrupting. I wanted to see that the princess was all right.”
King Tristan reached out to shake his hand. “Thank you, Captain Fontaine, for all the work you’ve done here. You don’t hesitate to step in and get your hands dirty when it means you can help someone. I admire you for that.”
Damien blinked at the compliment. “Thank you, Your Majesty. But most of the credit should go to your daughter. I don’t think anyone would have survived the blast had she not cleared the fire.”
Evelyn’s father beamed at her. “I’ll give you two some time to talk.”
The king left the room and Damien took the seat beside Evelyn.
“Where’s Leo?” she asked.
Damien rolled his eyes. “Of course that’s your first question. He’s talking to King Gerard. Can’t you hear the yelling?”
Evelyn went quiet. Now that she was listening for it, she could hear a familiar bellowing in the distance. “What is he mad about now?”
“Maybe that a princess almost died? That Leo could have died. That so many soldiersdiddie.” Damien paused to take a deep breath, which made him cough.
“Where are we?” Evelyn asked after Damien settled.
“The army hospital. You are special enough to get a private room. I argued against that, of course. I told them to just throw you anywhere.”
Evelyn ignored his sass. “How long have I been here?”
“It’s nearly dawn now. You’ve been asleep most of the night. Leo carried you here and refused to leave until a Healer promised him that you would be fine.”
“What happened after I passed out?”
“That fire you launched into the sky got the whole kingdom’s attention. Soldiers who were on duty last night showed up pretty quickly. We spent hours pulling everyone out of the bar and bringing them here.”
“How many people died?”
Damien frowned. “We don’t need to?—”
“How many?” she demanded.
A muscle flexed in his jaw. “Two hundred and seventeen.”
Evelyn’s heart stopped at the number.
No, gods, no.
“Evelyn,” Damien said, sensing her rising panic. “Ninety-three are alive because ofyourmagic. You saved nearly a hundred lives.”
“But hundreds are dead! I couldn’t get the fire out fast enough and over two hundred people died!”
“Evelyn, listen to me.” Damien seized her wrist. “You are not responsible for any deaths. Not one.Nothingthat happened tonight was your fault.”
Evelyn stared at him.
He sounds like he’s told someone that before. Or maybe someone else said it to him.
“Ninety-three people will get to go home,” Damien continued, his tone softer. “That’s what I need you to focus on. Ninety-three people get to see their families again because you did the kind of magic I thought was impossible.”
Evelyn nodded, trying not to cry. “You’re a great captain, Damien.”
He released her wrist. “Did you just now figure that out?”
