“I think so. I quite like the company on this side of the ocean.” Haydn winked at Evelyn.
Leo cleared his throat. “Surely you have a lot of work to do in Lochmatten. You can’t spend all of your time traveling.”
“Well, that’s the nice part about being on a council,” Haydn explained. “My colleagues are still hard at work. I have much more flexibility than a king in where I go and who I see.”
“When was the last time Wendell left the isle?” King Tristan asked. “I don’t think he even looked up from his desk when I met him. No disrespect to your fellow councilman, but he might be the least fun person I’ve ever encountered.”
“I heard he ran out of ink five thousand years ago,” Haydn recalled. “The stress of it made him go so far as to dip his toes in the ocean!”
“All anyone in Lochmatten does is study. You should visit Carrowmore,” King Tristan suggested.
“What would be the fun in that?” Evelyn interrupted. “Elemental magic can’t touch him.”
“I forgot about that,” King Tristan said.
“At least I can see it properly, unlike illusions,” Haydn commented. “But yes, we developed barrier wards to prevent Elemental magic from touching our skin.”
“That would keep you safe from Fire magic.”
“Indeed. Your daughter wasn’t happy to learn she can’t burn me,” Haydn said with another grin at Evelyn.
The king’s expression toward his daughter wasnota smile. “You tried toburnhim?”
“He dared me to,” Evelyn said petulantly. “Nothing happened, anyway.”
“What about Water magic?” Leo asked. “Could you drown?”
That doesn’t sound like an innocent question.
Haydn’s eyes narrowed, but he kept his voice pleasant. “In theory, yes, if you could get the water past my lips and into my lungs. Should I start working on new wards for that?”
Leo shrugged. “You never know what the northerners are up to.”
“Because the fae ofCarrowmorekeep so many secrets?” Evelyn challenged, staring straight at Leo.
The rest of the table went quiet.
“That’s not what I meant,” Leo said softly. “I spoke without thinking. I apologize.”
“We should all visit each other’s lands more often,” Queen Camille said, easing the tension. “It has been wonderful having guests this week.”
“I agree,” Haydn said. “Lochmatten would be honored to host the royal families.”
Evelyn lowered her head. Her left wrist rested in her lap to hide the evidence of her Bargain. She pressed a thumb over the tattoo, willing the heart to disappear. When she glanced up again, Haydn was studying her. Leo looked back and forth between the two of them, trying to figure out what he was missing.
Haydn asked me to go to Lochmatten with him. Then Leo asked me to stay in Gryon, but that was before I knew who he was. Did I really get two bullshit invitations in one night? Three, if you count Damien’s offer to run away. Gods, that’s what I should have done. How long can I sit in this palace and pretend everything is fine?
24
Promises
Lunch came to an end without incident, and everyone stood from their seats at the table. Leo was trying to catch Evelyn’s eye, but she wanted out of the room.
“King Tristan, would you mind if I borrowed your younger daughter for a moment?” Haydn requested. “I’d like to discuss something with her before I leave.”
No no no no no no no.
“Certainly! Evelyn would bevery happyto speak with you,” King Tristan said, giving Evelyn a look that warned her to play along.
