I also don’t need my sister to see a naked guard in my bed. Why is she in my room, anyway?
“Hannah?” Evelyn grumbled, blinking her eyes open. “What the hell?”
“Where have you been?” Hannah shrieked. “When did you get here?”
Their father strode in. “There you are, Evelyn. Thank the gods you’re all right.”
“Of course I am.” Evelyn sat up. “What’s going on?”
“I went to check on you at the army hospital this morning and you were gone! One of the Healers told me you left last night, but all the guards who were on duty here said you nevercame home. They gave me someridiculousstory about a bunch of rabbits!”
Evelyn had to choke down her laughter.
I can’t tell him the truth, but I don’t want to get Leo in trouble.
“Damien brought me back late last night,” she lied. “He came by to check on me and I told him I didn’t want to stay in the hospital overnight. I don’t know why none of the guards remember us coming in. Damien said something about owing you gold, I think?” Evelyn hoped this last detail would distract her father.
His face brightened. “Five gold pieces!”
Boys and their games. Doesn’t matter how old they are.
The king seemed to remember why he was there. “I’m glad you’re okay, sweetheart.”
“I’m fine, Father. It’s too early for all the hysterics.”
“You can’t go back to sleep!” Hannah warned. “The ball is tonight, and the dressmaker needs you to do a final fitting in your gown.”
“I’ll leave you girls to get ready,” their father said, not even feigning interest in their new dresses. He left, shutting the door behind him.
“I saw the fire in the sky,” Hannah said tentatively, like the explosion was a secret. “It looked like an illustration from one of the stories of the old gods. You did that all by yourself?”
“Yes.” Evelyn grimaced. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“But you saved their lives.”
Hannah sounds like Leo and Damien. They’re all acting like I’m a hero. But less than a third of the people who had been in the bar are still alive. And the state they’re in!
Evelyn shivered at the memory of the rows of hospital beds.
Hannah was merciful enough to let the subject drop. “Should I let the dressmaker know you will be ready soon?”
“Sure,” Evelyn agreed. “Thank you.”
Hannah scurried out of the room.
Evelyn reluctantly left her bed and got dressed. She had bathed last night, eager to get the smoky smell out of her hair. Though the water had done nothing to ease the heat between her legs after Leo’s kiss in the hallway.
Will he kiss me again? Why did he leave so quickly? Should I have asked him to stay? Is this too fast?
Evelyn walked downstairs to meet with the dressmaker, who dragged her into the dressing room.
“Hours! That’s all we have!” Gabrielle ranted. “Onlyhoursuntil the ball. You will be the death of me, girl.”
Yelling at a princess and calling hergirlwould get a normal person banned from the palace. But Gabrielle made it clear she only cared about the dresses, not who wore them, and Evelyn could respect her for that.
Four other women rushed out of an adjoining room to help. It took two assistants to carry the gown. All of them descended on Evelyn. The dress she had on was stripped off her, and Evelyn developed a new fear of vultures. They refitted her with undergarments better suited for the gown, including a corset to accentuate her curves and multiple layers of underskirts. It took several minutes just to secure everything that wouldn’t be visible.
Once she was in the gown, Evelyn recognized the icy blue color of the fabric she’d picked out.
