“Only as much as is required. Otherwise, we tend to stay out of each other’s way.” Draw paused, seeming to assess how much he should say. “My family is noble because of my mother. It’s her familial estate we live on. Though Ironclaw and Bianca are higher born, Bianca was called a lady out of endearment. She was young. Everyone loved her. But she and Ironclaw don’t have noble standing. I’ve felt,” he said, frustrated, “that there was always this force between us. That the only way Ironclaw and I could prove ourselves was against each other.”
So that’s why Draw was a minor side character despite his close relation to Ironclaw and the necessity of his position. If the cousins didn’t get along, that minimized Draw’s likelihood of appearing in the story more than necessary. But his role in court was an important one. Of course he and Ironclaw would have to cross paths.
“You don’t think the queen will be upset with you, do you?”
“No,” he said confidently. “Queen Elthra likes people who get things done. That’s all that matters to her at the end of the day.” He didn’t say it outright, but it was clear he was one such person. “Don’t think about any of this another moment.”
I wish I could have told him that that would be impossible, but he kissed me on the cheek and asked, “What were you writing?”
I definitely didn’t want Draw to see the notes I’d written about him so the subject change wasn’t entirely welcome.
Draw was a difficult man to keep secrets around. Uncovering schemes, analyzing people, it was how he was wired. Even as he breathed me in, obviously happy to be with me, he was looking at the half-smashed piece of parchment in my other hand, curious.
“You said you’d help with my plot issues, right?”
“If a literary goddess has sent you to foster peace in Landsome, count me an ally.” He shifted on his bedroll, still holding one of my hands. I settled beside him. I was glad to see how easily he shrugged off the confrontation with Ironclaw, but I didn’t want to pursue this line of thought. I had to distract him.
“I’m just building some notes, but I have something else to show you.” I stowed my scribbles in my dress pocket and withdrew the letter from Sorrel.
Draw was a fast reader. I saw his brows lift and then he turned to me for questions. Even with the unfamiliar terms, he didn’t need to reread Sorrel’s swooping cursive twice.
“I’m the book boyfriend, I hope.”
I pulled my hair over my shoulder so I could fret with it.
“You have to admit, we’re the most interesting thing that could happen to the series,” I joked.
“If by series you mean my life, I’d tend to agree. What is this phone call though? I remember you describing phones, but who is Sara?”
I sighed. “Just remember, I’m adorable, okay?” Then I haltingly described watchingLandsome Roadswhile my parents were out, and pretending to be one of Ironclaw’s flings in book one. It was made even sillier after the very recent shouting match with the very same man.
As I told the story, Draw’s hands flew to cover his mouth as if he were witnessing a royal carriage crash. I was sweating my humiliation, but it was a good trade-off—his laughter to hide my scribbled doubt in his vitality.
Perhaps Lord Drawcouldbe distracted.
Chapter Six: The Group Date of Doom
