Page 9 of Adversary to the Villain

Peering in the direction of the object, Lyssa spied a discarded bit of white cloth. She glanced side to side, then scurried over to pick it up.

A handkerchief. With two words scrawled onto it.

It’s me.

Lyssa knew that writing.

A new set of footsteps sounded from down the hall, startling her enough to make her jump. She tried to reassure herself with logic. It was likely just Clare circling back to her chambers, and that chilled feeling climbing up her arms toward her neck was from the morning air coming through the window. Her imagination often took her to outlandish places, and this was just another for the books.

Tucking the cloth into her skirt pocket, Lyssa felt again like she was being watched, forcing her to wonder…if some stories could not help but come true.

Even the scary ones.

Chapter 3

Trystan

It was midday tea time, and Trystan Maverine was yelling—into a pillow.

Or he supposed it was more of a bellow. It was difficult to decide with the sound muffled in his ears. He tossed the pillow back on the bed.

“Do you feel better?” Lyssa Sage asked with a tilt of her head, her wide, curious expression meeting Trystan’s. “Did it help?”

“Oh yes. Thrilling,” he deadpanned. It didn’t help that the pillow he’d grabbed was Sage’s and the rose scent of her hair was bombarding his senses. Fortunately, one could not inhale and yell at the same time, but the pillow sat on the bed, taunting him.

I will not sniff it.

The little villain snapped him from his inner debate by snorting into her teacup, eyes full of mischief. Lyssa was a welcome distraction after he’d escaped the study like death was at his heels.

I would find you.

He’d revealed too much. Pushed too quickly. He needed to be patient, to show Evie in no uncertain terms that shewashis true love. That they deserved their happily ever after—together.

In the meantime, he’d be a steady presence. A confidant. A friend.

Yes.I could be her friend.

Or I could saw off my own foot.

“I thought a tea party might be nice today. You looked so sad sitting in your office.” Lyssa’s large brown eyes fell to her teacup, apprehension in the pinch of her brows. “I’m sorry if I made it worse.”

The spear of determination he was experiencing was demanding his attention, but none of it was any match for the guilt at causing Lyssa Sage to frown. Crouching down to the tiny tea table in the middle of the Sage sisters’ chambers, he softened his voice and summoned a smile. “Your presence in my world only ever brings improvement, Little Villain.”

Lyssa beamed and then turned, tapping her chin in contemplation, her mouth set in a determined line when she grabbed a sugar cookie from the tray and handed it to him. He bit into the sweetness, noting the hint of rose water in the recipe.

“Might I ask you a question, then, Lord Trystan?” she asked.

Trystan seated himself in the other tiny chair across from her, feeling it groan beneath his bulk as he leaned back. “You may ask me anything you like.”

“Are you going to marry my sister?”

The chair broke.

And Trystan found himself flat on his back, gasping for air, when the door opened and Blade sauntered in. The apple in his hand paused halfway to his mouth when he spied Trystan on the floor, his lips stretching into a slow grin. “What are you doing down there, buddy?” Blade tilted his head, smiling in a friendly manner that made Trystan want to take the apple and beat him to death with it.

Lyssa did not remain silent as Trystan hoped she would—as heknewshe wouldn’t. “I just asked if Lord Trystan was going to marry Evie.”

Blade looked far too pleased with the revelation, planting his hands on his waist with an amused grin. “So…you started breaking furniture?”