* * *
22
The following day, the wedding dress arrived. Evangeline found it spread across her princess bed inside of Wolf Hall. The gown was white and gold, and it came with a pair of feathered wings that touched the ground.
My dearest Evangeline,
I saw this gown and thought of you, because you are an angel.
Forever your truest love,
Apollo
23
The day after that, Evangeline woke to find her bathtub full of what looked like glittering pirate treasure.
My dearest Evangeline,
You deserve to be bathed in jewels.
Forever your truest love,
Apollo
24
Then it was an entire stable of horses. The steeds were gleaming white and adorned with rose-gold saddles, the same color as Evangeline’s hair.
“So that we can ride off into the sunset together,” Apollo said. His eyes were full of adoration as his hands reached for hers.
Her fingers felt small in his warm grip, but they were starting to fit. “You don’t have to give me so many gifts,” she said.
“I’d give you the world if I could. The moon, the stars, and all the suns in the universe. Anything for you, my heart.”
25
It was all more than Evangeline could have dreamed of or wished for. The last few days had been a whirlwind of wonderful. Her royal suite was covered in colorful gowns and flowers and gifts. Even Empress Scarlett had sent her something, though how the small package had been delivered so quickly, Evangeline had no clue.
Evangeline should have felt flutters. She should have felt excited and romanced and loved. Apollo was generous and attentive and terribly kind to her. And she definitely felt something whenever she thought about him, but it was sadly not butterflies. It was closer to the unsettled feeling she’d had after making a deal with Jacks, or the wrongness she’d felt when she’d learned that Luc had proposed to Marisol.
Something was not as it should have been.
Evangeline sat on the wide hearth in front of her fire, set down the little red box that Empress Scarlett had sent, and then picked up that morning’s gossip sheet.
* * *
The Daily Rumor
THREE DAYS LEFT!
By Kristof Knightlinger
Evangeline Fox and Prince Apollo Acadian have been engaged less than one week, and already people are writing songs about them and saying that theirs is the greatest love story the Magnificent North has ever seen. The rumors floating around are extravagant—especially for a prince who once said he wouldn’t choose a bride at all—and I’m thrilled to report that I was able to acquire a rare interview with the crown prince to find out which tales about him are true.
Kristof: Everyone has been talking about you and Evangeline Fox. People say you’re entirely bewitched. I’ve heard you stand in the courtyard outside her window each night to serenade her, you’ve declared her birthday a holiday, and you’re having all one hundred and twenty-two of your portraits redone so they include her likeness as well. Is there any truth to these stories?
Prince Apollo: I’ve done much more than that, Mr. Knightlinger. （With a proud smile, the prince unbuttoned half his shirt and spread it apart to reveal a vibrant tattoo of a pair of swords curved to form a heart that contained one name: Evangeline.）
Kristof: That’s quite impressive, Your Highness.
Prince Apollo: I know.
Kristof: No one who sees the two of you together could doubt that you’re in love. But I’ve heard whispers that the Council of Great Houses is unhappy you chose not only a foreign bride but one without a prominent family. People are saying they wish to have the wedding called off and that’s why you’ve set such a quick date for it.
Prince Apollo: That is a complete lie. Even if there were truth to it, nothing could keep me from the love of my life.
Kristof: What about your brother, Prince Tiberius? There are rumors that you two had another falling-out this week. They say he’s backed the Great Houses’ objection to your choice of bride because he wants to stop your marriage and keep you from becoming king.
Prince Apollo: That’s absolutely false. My brother couldn’t be happier for me.
Kristof: Then why are people saying he’s disappeared again?
Prince Apollo: Some people forget Tiberius is also a prince and has royal duties of his own.
Prince Apollo wouldn’t tell me if Prince Tiberius will be at the wedding, but our interview did confirm the rumors that the crown prince has been completely bewitched by his bride-to-be. I’ve never seen anyone as in love as Prince Apollo.
* * *
If only Evangeline could believe that Apollo was truly in love. But sadly, she feared that Kristof was right when he called her betrothed bewitched.