“Excuse me,” she said.
Evelyn wanted to sprint from the room but forced herself to walk out the back doors.
This can’t be happening.
She crossed the patio and took the trail to the beach.
“Evelyn!”
No.
“Evelyn, wait!”
“Go away!” she told theprincewithout slowing down.
“Evelyn, please!”
“I don’t want to talk to you!”
She reached the sand and headed toward the water.
I could drown.Or I could drown him.
“Evelyn, what’s wrong? What happened?”
Leo, being taller than her and not encumbered by skirts and heels, caught up with her effortlessly. He could easily dash in front of Evelyn to block her path, but he simply followed her as she ignored his questions.
“Evelyn, I can see that you’re angry. Just tell me what’s going on. Everything was fine ten minutes ago. What changed? What were you and your father talking about?”
Evelyn collapsed onto her knees in the water. Her gorgeous dress would certainly be ruined, but she didn’t care. She dipped her hands below the surface and summoned her magic. Flames couldn’t manifest underwater, but the heat she created caused steam to rise. Evelyn had learned this trick as a child, burning up her bathwater to the frustration of her nanny. Now, it was a distraction as she gained control of herself.
He asked me to stay in Gryon with him, but he didn’t tell me who he really is. He kissed me even while he was lying to me.
Leo spoke again from the edge of the water. “Evelyn.”
She stood, her dress soaked in saltwater, and turned around to face him. “What’s your name?”
He didn’t say anything. Waves of confusion, understanding, and regret crashed over his face.
“What’s your name?” she prompted again.
Leo put his hands in his pockets. “Alexander Leon Ducasse.”
Each syllable hit Evelyn like hailstones in a storm.
I’m a fool. An idiotic fucking fool.
Memories from the past week flooded her mind.
How did I not see it? How could I have been so blind?
“Leon,” Evelyn repeated. “Leon. Leo.”
“Yes,” he said. “Damien has called me that since we were children.”
“Why?”
“When I drop the illusion and have a different name, no one knows who I am. He and I could play and get into trouble like normal kids without embarrassing the royal family.”
