Page 10 of To Sway a Demon Heart

“Indeed,” Draven laughed, the sound rich in the quiet of the empty library. “Are you not hungry? There is lunch laid out in the dining hall.”

“I’ll get something in a bit. Trying to keep my mind off why I’m here,” I replied, indicating my book.

Draven frowned. “You know that we allchoseto compete, yes?” he asked, looking at me skeptically. “None of us are here against our will. It is an honor to battle for the seat.”

“It still feels barbaric to me,” I admitted with a grimace. “Not to insult your traditions, but it’s not something that would happen in Sun. Or in Beasts, I think.”

“Here though,” Draven pointed out, gesturing to the bleak castle around us. “These halls feel soaked with blood. Haunted.”

“They do,” I agreed, looking out the windows of the library onto the gray afternoon of the grounds. The graveyard was visible in the distance, and I suppressed another shudder. “But maybe that can change.”

Draven raised his brow but didn’t have a chance to respond as Tyr chose that moment to appear in the doorway, a silver platter in his hand.

“Lord Draven,” Tyr said irritably, glancing between us sitting across from each other. I refused to feel abashed, as I had done nothing wrong, but something in his stare was accusing. “I wasn’t aware you were much of a reader.”

“No greater than you, I think,” Draven replied, sliding a finger across one of the books I had stacked on my little table and showing Tyr the dust gathered there. I frowned, trying to decide if it was worth it to break up the male posturing or if I should let the two of them have it out and get it over with.

Tyr placed the silver tray on the table, face stony as he looked at me with a raised brow. I kept my face blank. Let him feel jealous. Maybe it would help him come to his senses faster. To realize that he wanted me and couldn’t force himself to forget that.

“I’ll not interrupt,” Tyr said, bowing formally and turning to leave. “The first trial begins in three hours, Draven. At the edge of the grounds.”

“I’ve not forgotten,” Draven replied, waving a casual hand at Tyr as if to dismiss him. Tyr glowered once more before shutting the library doors, and Draven turned back to me with a grin. “He doesn’t like me.”

“I don’t think he likes many people,” I pointed out, feeling my stomach rumble suddenly, the smells wafting out from the cover of the platter making my mouth water. I lifted the tray to see steaming vegetables and meat, a simple but filling meal.

“He likes you,” Draven corrected, nodding to the tray. “He doesn’t deserve your kindness though.”

“You flatter me,” I blushed, trying not to encourage this male unduly. He might have an interest in me, but I knew I couldn’t ever pursue anything with anyone, at least not while Tyr was near. “And everyone deserves kindness.”

“Hmm,” Draven chuckled. “I’m not sure I agree, but your heart does you credit. It’s no wonder he’s in love with you.”

“Excuse me?” I asked, blood draining from my face as I looked up from the meal. “What do you mean?”

Draven shrugged, sitting back on the little couch which seemed far too small for such a large male. He was broader and more muscular than Tyr, whose form was more one of athletic, feline elegance. Draven, with his armor and weapons and huge presence, seemed more and more out of place in this library the longer he stayed.

“It's clear to me, at least,” Draven clarified, giving me an arch look. “But it’s also clear that he hasn’t done anything about it.”

“Lord Draven,” I said, trying to inject stern reprimand into my tone. “This is not really any of your business.”

“My apologies,” Draven said, leaning forward and grinning wholly unapologetically. “I meant no offense, my lady. Only to say that, if a male were interested in you, as Lord Tyr appears to be, then I can't see why they wouldn't act on it."

His smile was downright wicked as he added, "And if you are open to such attention, I can name at least one male who would grant them.”

I looked at him wide-eyed as he all but confessed his interest in me. His gaze was deep and intense, a thousand promises of passion swirling in his dark eyes. I found I wanted none of them.

“Lord Draven—”

“Don’t answer yet,” he said, standing and stretching in a way that made his leather creak and muscular shoulders bulge. “It can wait until the tournament is over.” He winked, striding out of the room and leaving me in stunned silence.

Chapter 7

“Hewhat?”Elarasaidin the mirror when I contacted her before the first trial began.

“He propositioned me,” I repeated, throwing my hands up in exasperation as I explained again what Draven had said. “At least, I think that’s what he was doing.”

“He was definitely propositioning,” Cerridwen shouted, her voice more distant through two mirrors than the one between me and Elara.

I had contacted Elara to ask for advice on Draven’s advances, and she had insisted on looping Cerridwen into the conversation through a second mirror. It was an awkward way to communicate, but much faster than waiting to meet in person or writing letters.