My excitement turned into a flurry of nerves. Why was he staring at me so intently? Briar had said my resemblance to the royal family was obvious now that he knew the truth. Did Draven see that same resemblance? Spies were trained to learn secrets.
Had he learned mine?
I’m probably just paranoid.
Rowan tugged me to his side, placing me a little behind him. “You mentioned reporting back to your captain. What will you tell him?”
“I believe you’d be an invaluable asset to our ranks given the proper training. My report will say as much.” Draven regarded the platter of cookies, and his hand twitched at his side. Did the mysterious spy have a sweet tooth? “With that, I must be on my way.”
He pushed back from the table and stood.
“Wait.” My heart pounded. “Please don’t tell anyone about Lake.”
“The wolf?” Draven looked at him. “Many see his kind as enemies of Bremloc.”
“He is no enemy.” Maddox’s stare was lethal. “And if you dare speak of him to any—”
“Rowan was my only target this night,” Draven interjected. “As far as I’m concerned, I saw no demi-wolf.”
“How do we know you’re speaking the truth?” Briar asked.
“Lies are for cowards. I’ve given my answer. Believe it or don’t.”
The spy moved toward the back door.
“Draven?” I grabbed a stack of cookies and rushed over. “Here. Take these. You can eat them when you’re alone.”
He regarded them in silence. Then, his baby blue eyes lifted to me. “Some might say your kindness is a clever tactic intended to lower the guards of those around you. To manipulate them.”
“Oh.” I lowered my arm. “I’ve been accused of worse, I guess. Maddox thought I poisoned his porridge once. I didn’t, of course. He was just teasing me. But if you want one, I promise I haven’t—”
Draven turned from me and stepped outside, vanishing into the night.
My chin did that annoying wobbling thing as I looked at the cookies in my hand. Did people really think I used sweets as a weapon? Sure, a yummy pastry helped persuade the men in my life to tell me things or calm their irritation, but I never did it maliciously.
“His loss.” Rowan snatched one and took a bite.
I gaped.
“What?” he asked, mouth full.
“That’s a cookie.”
“I’m aware.”
“A chocolate chip cookie,” I said in disbelief. “You hate them.”
“Eh. They’re not so bad.” He shrugged and grabbed hold of my wrist, leading me through the kitchen and toward the stairs. “Let’s take a bath. I’ll even let you play with my hair since I know how much ya love it.”
The wobble returned, and my eyes filled with tears.
Earlier at the beach, he’d said he wasn’t good with words or expressing his feelings. But as we poured water for a bath and cuddled together in the tub, I felt his love so profoundly no words were needed.
Chapter Seven
The Rabbit and the Snake
The whirr of the burr mills filled the kitchen as I grinded coffee beans.
