I was both amused and annoyed at the same time; I was tempted to throw my hood over my head and leave the old matchmaker's company when Evans grabbed my arm and pulled me into the next room, past the pouting Alviss.

– Hey, hey!" I heard behind me, and in a few seconds the gray-haired man was following us. – Wait, my place isn't cleaned!

– Oh, come on! – The healer said cheerfully over his shoulder and stopped suddenly. – Better pour some tea, we're going to be a while.

– Oh, boy, you haven't changed at all! I remember the last time you said that, I had to take you on as an apprentice! – the old man reminded him, snapping his fingers.

In the small room there was a small, neat, carved table, under which four small, even miniature chairs were hidden. Against the wall stood a small glass cabinet, from which flew out painted mugs and saucers: they all landed on the table with the utmost care. When everything was in place, a teapot and a tray of cake appeared out of nowhere and took up all the remaining space on the table.

I watched it all with admiration, for I had been served tea by my maid before, and the use of light magic in such a domestic scene was something I had never seen before.

– People are always surprised. – Clinging to the table, the old man struggled to climb into one of the chairs and began to study me intently.

"But I'm not human," I thought sadly, taking a seat at the table.

Evans followed suit.

If I had been one of the court ladies of the royal palace of Kaldwind, my life would have turned out differently. I would probably do my best to be seen by the king, marry him, bear him an heir, and live my life well. But I'm the heiress of Flammehav, a demoness, a red-eyed girl, the king's war trophy.... How did I forget my status? Why did I so quickly forget the humiliation I'd suffered, the way Derek had treated me, and give in to temptation so easily? Why was I now trying to save the husband I had recently hated with all my heart? If he died, I could be free of my marriage to him and return to my native Flammehav. Love? Could it have come so suddenly?

– The thing is, this girl isn't ordinary," Evans said quietly, coughing into his fist.

– What's so unusual about her? – The old man squinted his eyes at me, making me feel a little creepy.

– The thing is…" I decided to stop in mid-sentence so I wouldn't say too much, and I looked at my companion with concern in my eyes.

– The thing is, she's the Queen of Culdwynd," Evans added with absolute calm.

– Evans! – That statement took my breath away. He'd given away my secret!

– Don't worry, he's trustworthy," Evans smiled at me.

– That's how it is…" The old man leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment. – As far as I know, King Merkswerd married Princess of Flammehav. Which means she's a demoness. Your battlemate doesn't look like a member of that race. – Alviss looked at his young friend carefully, as if waiting for a new explanation.

– It was true. She took the same potion that I do. If anyone recognizes her…

– That demoness will be captured and taken to the palace, and you will be executed! – The old mage bounced on the table with his palms on his hands, and his face was so angry that I flinched as if I'd been slapped in the face.

– Don't worry, we won't get caught," the healer continued, ignoring the raging old man. – We won't be here long.

– That will be enough time to kill you. I didn't help you so that you would act so thoughtlessly now!

– I'm sorry, it's my fault. I was the one who asked Evans for help," I interjected, as I couldn't keep quiet any longer.