“Are we the only ones here today?” Evelyn asked.
“I believe so. The kings are working with the army.”
“Do you know what they’re doing?”
“My dear, have you seen me in any of their meetings?”
“No. Doesn’t that frustrate you?” Evelyn’s voice rose, but she couldn’t help it. “You’re a queen! You should be included!”
“And if I really wanted to, I could push the issue,” Queen Camille said calmly. “But I spent hundreds of years discussing war and I don’t miss it.”
“So… you choose not to be involved?”
“Yes. I trust my husband, as well as your father, to do what needs to be done. My voice is not needed and I am happier not hearing all the gory details. But from what I have seen and heard of you in the past few days, I would say your voiceisneeded here.”
“Mine?” Evelyn blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I know it was your magic that led to the soldiers being found. Your gift of seeing past illusions is extremely rare for someone born on the continent.”
“Is there another land where it isn’t rare?”
“Actually, yes. The Isle of Lochmatten. I believe immunity from our illusions is one of the traits they are most proud of.”
“I never knew that.”
“It wouldn’t have been relevant while you were in Carrowmore.”
Evelyn’s brows drew together. “I thought Lochmatten’s magic focused on divination, like prophecies. Isn’t that where the Seers come from?”
“Yes, as well as the Spell Breakers. The fae of Lochmatten have spent millennia dedicated tounderstandingmagic like a science. I doubt any of us in the kingdoms know the full scope of their abilities.”
“Why not?”
“They like to keep to themselves, doing research and practicing new magic.” The queen waved her hand dismissively. “Some of them come over to Gryon or Carrowmore and earn endless amounts of gold doing tricks like fortune-telling andscrying. Or cleaning up illusion messes like the ones you found. But I’m certain the fae on their isle are capable of much more than that.”
“Is Lochmatten our ally?” Evelyn asked.
Queen Camille thought about it. “They are not interested in war and do not have a proper army, so we would not call on them for military aid. But they help us in other ways. They are not our enemy.”
“Why would I have a gift that’s associated with Lochmatten? I’ve never even been there.”
“That is still a mystery, my dear girl. I would suggest asking your father if there is any Lochmatten magic in your bloodline.”
“If he ever starts talking to me again,” Evelyn grumbled.
“Tell me something else,” Queen Camille said. “Why didn’t Leo return you to the palace himself after the soldiers were found?”
Evelyn’s eyes went wide as she looked up at the queen. “How?—”
“I’ve known Damien nearly as long as I’ve known Leo, and I certainly know which of the two gets them into trouble. Captain Fontaine would have dragged you back here out of spite if you’d threatened him into going to the city. Leo, on the other hand, would be more than happy to whisk you away for an adventure if you gave even the slightest hint of wanting to go.”
Evelyn blushed.
The queen is far too amused by all of this.
“So,” Queen Camille said, getting back to her original point. “Why did your little trio of chaos split up that day? Why didn’t Leo keep you with him?”
Is it okay to be honest with her? She already knows this much.
