Page 10 of Adversary to the Villain

From his place on the ground, Trystan thrust a finger toward the door. “Get out. This party was invite-only.”

Blade’s smile sobered into a pained flat line. “I would, but I come bearing bad news, I’m afraid.”

The room stilled at the declaration. The air departed from Trystan’s lungs as he climbed to his feet, eyes flashing toward Lyssa, who looked just as fearful at the promise of another wave of turmoil. Arthur’s death was still a bitter swell of anger in his gut, his heart clenching when he thought of his father’s final words to him.

A life without love is an empty one, Trystan. You can live your years without me, but not without her.

The sacrifice made by the man who did not sire him, but raised him all the same, wouldnotbe in vain.

Steeling himself, Trystan forged ahead, feeling more at peace with his new purpose. “Is it news fit for young ears?”

Lyssa waved a hand, halfway to the door. “I’m going. If I don’t hear the bad news, I can pretend it isn’t happening.” With a light skip, she waved her fingers, but just before she snicked the door shut, she added, “I’ll re-ask you my question later, Lord Trystan.” And then she was gone.

Blade shook his head, smiling. “She’s wise, that one.”

“The bad news?” Trystan urged, feeling exhausted. “You couldn’t find him, could you?”

There was no need to specify who he spoke of. They both knew.

Blade shut his eyes for a moment and blew out a breath, then came to sit in the remaining tiny chair, looking near comedically large, but it was difficult to laugh when Trystan had lost not just his father but his dearest friend.

“I searched every pond within a three-mile radius. There was no sign of him.” Blade rubbed at his temples. “Could he still be in the manor?”

“I looked in all his usual spots.” Trystan sighed, rubbing at the scruff at his chin. “No luck. Gods, what if he’s—”

“No.” Blade shook his head vigorously. “No, I checked the perimeter as far as a frog of his size would be able to travel. I’d bet all my vests he’s still here somewhere in the manor.”

“Are you trying to encourage menotto find him?” Trystan muttered dryly, folding his arms over his chest and staring at Blade’s distractingly bright yellow attire.

Blade grinned, throwing his arms wide. “At least I’m always easy to spot.”

“Unlike a green frog. In a green forest.” Trystan rubbed at the bridge of his nose, feeling a thousand times older than his twenty-nine years.

“The forest is slowly being leached of color by the fading magic, if that makes you feel better.” Blade offered this information while taking a large bite of a cookie shaped like a lily.

Trystan just glared at him. Then made a quiet decision as Blade took another bite of the cookie. “Evie and I had sex.”

The dragon trainer rocked forward so hard, the bit of cookie fell off his tongue, his mouth hanging open, jaw unhinged, eyes so rounded that Trystan wondered whether they might pop out of his head. “You—you—you and Evie had— I mean the two of you actually—”

“Fornicated,” Trystan finished for him, abashed to find himself feeling a tad unsure at his confession. What in the gods’ names was he doing?

“DON’T SAY FORNICATED!” Blade’s hands flew up to his ears, and he looked prepared to fight off the word if it came to it. “I’m having too many thoughts at once. My head’s gonna burst.”

“Vocalize one of them, man!” Trystan barked with more than a hint of vulnerability now, a feeling he wanted to squash like a bug.

Blade combed his fingers through his hair, then braced his hands on his knees, sputtering and out of breath. “Where? When?”

“A barn,” Trystan answered immediately, not eagerly but without needing to beat around the bush. He checked his pocket watch. “Thirty-five hours ago.”

Blade’s grin told Trystan he’d divulged too much and was about to be punished for it.

“You’re keeping track of thehours?”

“It’s easier to tell time by hours,” Trystan protested, indignant.

Blade scoffed and laughed, clapping his hands together gleefully. “A barn?” he asked. “I never pictured you two in a barn.”

“Do not picture usanywhere,” Trystan seethed, feeling his own head close to bursting.