Evelyn thought about it. “You’re protecting me.”
“I’ve been protecting you fordaysnow, Princess. You and Leo are determined to cause trouble.”
Evelyn fought the urge to look at Leo again. She kept her eyes on Damien like he’d ordered.
“I might be a tiny bit jealous,” she admitted.
Damien spun her around. Evelyn’s skirts flared out and the shimmering fabric caught the light, making her sparkle. When he drew her back to him, she momentarily forgot that there was anyone else in the room. His bright green gaze and easy smile were enchanting.
It was only one spin… How did he distract me that easily with one spin?
I hope he does it again.
“You are the center of attention tonight,” Damien told her.
“I doubt it.” Evelyn scoffed, ignoring the warmth of her cheeks. “Everyone is here to see Hannah.”
“Initially, yes. But Hannah isn’t that interesting.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say!”
“But it’s true. Hannah is sweet and not much else. If she weren’t trying to marry a prince, she would not be nearly as relevant right now.”
“Do you think insulting my sister is charming?”
“I’m not trying to insult her.” Damien’s voice was gentle but firm. “I need you to understand what’s happening tonight.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Look at yourself from a guest’s perspective, Evelyn. A beautiful princess from another kingdom, unmarried and not yet betrothed, with Fire magic no one would believe if they hadn’t seen it.”
Evelyn blinked. “Is that what everyone is thinking?”
“Thinking and talking about, yes. I got to you first, thank the gods, but half the men in this room will ask you to dance tonight. All of them want something, whether that is information or favor oryou.”
This is exactly why I didn’t want to be a princess. I can’t even dance without it having some secret meaning.
“Everyone is watching you,” Damien continued. “If all you do is stare at Leo with your big, sad eyes, they will see it. This is a game, and you need to play better than that.”
“Is that what you’re doing? Playing the game?”
“Yes. Me and Leo and even Hannah.”
“Hannah isn’t?—”
Damien cut her off. “Yes, she is. Your sister is innocent, but she’s not dumb. She knows how to smile and bat her eyelashes and make people love her.”
“What if I don’t want to do any of that?”
“Then you have two other options.” Damien smirked. “First, you can stand in the corner and glare at everyone. Or, you can run off with me for the night and fake a scandal.”
“Those are yourbestideas?” Evelyn deadpanned.
“People are going to talk no matter what you do. So you need to decide what you want them talking about.”
The song came to an end. Damien took Evelyn’s hand and kissed it the way a suitor would. “What will it be, Princess?”
Evelyn gazed up at him. “I’ll play the game. Can you help me?”
