AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I breathed him in, reminded of hot, sultry nights I’d spent in his court, among his people. “You too.” It meant a lot, knowing I wasn’t alone. I’d spent too long alone in the past.
We separated and Draven slapped a hand on my back, his warmth as comforting as an open fire. “I’ve missed you,” he admitted.
“And I you,” I said, finding it to be more true than I’d expected. Ellyn caught my eye, loitering nearby, pretending not to be watching. “Ah, Draven, please meet my friend Ellyn.”
Draven smiled and offered his hand. Ellyn swooped in, took his hand, then curtsied.
“Uh, miss, you don’t need to bow.” He chuckled, lifting her to her feet. “I’m just a lord.”
“Forgive me, I know who you are. We haven’t met but I saw you at Love’s ball,” she gushed. “I mean, we allsawyou. It wasn’t just me. Looking, I mean.” She pulled her hand back. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Lark said some things, but half the time I didn’t know what was true with him, so I’d much prefer to meet you for myself.”
Was she blushing? Just what had Lark told her? Something scandalous, apparently.
Draven’s smile turned comical. “What did Lark say about me?”
She blurted a laugh. “It’s best you don’t know.”
“Ellyn is—was—a friend of Lark’s. We’ve become reacquainted while I awaited your arrival.”
“WhereisLark?” Draven asked.
“He didn’t make it out of Pain.”
Draven paled. “He’s dead?!”
“No! Gods, no. I should have worded that differently. Nothing like that. Get settled in a room, refresh from traveling, and meet me for dinner? We have much to discuss.”
Draven nodded, then thwacked me on the arm, hard enough to bruise. “I’m glad you made it here, Arin. Whatever has happened with Lark, we’ll right it.”
My voice lodged in my throat. I nodded and watched as the innkeeper Jay—who had been half-listening nearby—offered to escort Draven to a room. They left through the back stairs moments later, leaving Ellyn and I alone at the bar.
She side-eyed me. “He’s very handsome.”
“He is.”
“And you’re married?”
“Politically,” I corrected. That was a very important distinction.
“But you love Lark?”
I winced. “It’s complicated.”
“Not really.” She shrugged. “Get a bigger bed.”
I laughed and tried to will the growing heat from my face. “You mean keep both?”
“Why not? Lark likes Draven. They’ve already, you know.” She made a grasping motion with her hands.
By Dallin, I could see why she and Lark got along so well. “Molded clay?”
She laughed and whacked me on the arm in the same spot Draven had assaulted moments ago. “You know what I mean!”
“I’m afraid I do.” While we waited for Draven to return, I ordered drinks at the bar and considered how to explain how Draven and Lark fit in my life. “It’s not so simple,” I explained. “I like Draven—love him even—as a friend. What I feel for Lark is very different.”
“Oh well, that’s a shame. I mean, I’m not really into men, but you know, those two together?” She fanned her face. “You wouldn’t walk straight for a week.”
I spluttered a sudden laugh, spilling the drink I’d just picked up. Ellyn swooped in with a cloth and laughed along. She and Lark must have been very close for him to tell her about Draven.
