“Only a tiny bit.”
“That’s enough to make it gross.”
“A drop of spit doesn’t ruin wine.”
“Yes, it does! And it’s more than a drop.”
The men were about twenty yards away on her right, standing guard at the doorway between the patio and the ballroom.
“But the royals drink thegoodwine. It’s worth it!”
“If you get caught drinking the king’s leftover wine, you’ll be lucky to keep your job. Or your life if they send Fontaine after you.”
That’s what this is about? A guard drinks wine that’s left on the table after dinner?
The men continued their argument, oblivious to Evelyn sneaking out. The light pouring through the glass doors illuminated them, while she was hidden in the darkness.
But they’ll be able to see me once I reach the path to the beach.
Past the guards, Evelyn spotted a tall arched trellis covered in vines that led to the royal garden. She waved her hand and the whole trellis went up in flames. It took the guards several seconds longer than it should have to notice the large fire. Once they did, a percussion of footfalls and swear words was Evelyn’s cue to continue her mini adventure.
Evelyn hurried to the beach and relaxed when her toes curled in the sand. Heading toward the water, she veered to the left so her silhouette would not be dead center in view from the palace.
A light breeze pushed her curls back from her face. The fresh air was intoxicating. The water was much warmer than Evelynexpected. The Kingdom of Gryon made up the lower half of the continent, and this palace was at the southernmost point.
I know I’m practically standing on the equator, but I never believed an ocean could be anything but freezing.
The waves flowed around Evelyn’s ankles. She stared at the full moon, entranced by its glittering reflection on the water’s surface.
“Are you the arsonist?”
Evelyn jumped at the man’s voice, then nearly tumbled into the water as she spun around to face him. “Where the hell did you come from?”
The man was tall, lean, and dressed in all black, including boots that weren’t meant for sand. He had high cheekbones, a dimple in his chin, and dark brown hair long enough to curl at his shirt collar.
Just because he’s handsome doesn’t mean he can sneak up on me!
“The palace,” he replied, grinning at her. “But someone tried to burn it down.”
Did the fire spread? Did I actually damage… no, there isn’t any firelight coming from the garden.
She glared at him. “The palace is fine!”
“But youarethe one who started the fire.”
“Prove it.”
The man laughed, and the genuineness of it felt as warm as the water. “You haven’t even been here a day and you’re already causing chaos. No wonder Elemental fae are so rarely invited this far south.”
“Are you going to have me arrested?”
“What fun would that be? I want to see what you do next.”
“Who are you, anyway?” Evelyn asked. “Do you work at the palace?”
The man’s brows rose at the question.
Is he surprised? That wasn’t a strange thing to ask.
