Page 99 of Adversary to the Villain

“I wouldn’t dare, Ms. Villain,” Trystan challenged as soon as they were alone, his voice smooth.

“I’ve earned that title.” Sage winced, sheepish as she fiddled with her curls.

His heart felt a bit like she’d reached into his chest and began beating it with a hammer. “Evie. I didn’t mean to—”

“No,” she interrupted. “It’s all right. I don’t mind it. I got scared but I—I think I needed to be scared that way so I could remember.”

“Remember what?” he asked.

She hummed softly. “HowbraveI am. And, well, I quite like being evil. I always have.” She touched his cheek. “The Villain and The Core Healer Prince.”

Together.

But doomed.

Chapter 48

Kingsley

Alexander Kingsley used to play a game with his friends when they were children. A game where he would tell them two true things and one lie.

He wondered if those same friends knew he’d never stopped playing. That Prince Alexander’s entire life had been made of selective truths and even more selective lies, that it was what his life would always be. He was so resigned to it, he hardly knew the difference any longer.

To his benefit, he supposed—a lie was always more convincing when those around him believed it.

It was why no one ever questioned him. The frog. The poor man trapped inside something he wasn’t. It was easy to sympathize with a prince, easy to want him to be good enough to ignore the LOL signs, to ignore the truth staring you boldly in the face.

Alexander, however, was an excellent judge of whether someoneelsewas lying.

And this elderly woman walking into The Villain’s offices on Keeley’s arm, claiming to be an unassuming librarian…was not what she appeared.

“Mo, this is where I work. You’ll be safe here.” Keeley helped her through the doors and into a chair. “The public library was attacked,” Keeley explained with frustration. “I had to bring her.”

Gideon held up a hand to Tatianna, Clare, and Kingsley. “It was my idea, if you need someone to throw under Trystan’s sword.”

“All this fuss is unnecessary, Keeley. I’m quite all right, and there’s much cleaning to do at the library.” Mo made to stand and winced, falling back into the chair.

Tatianna snapped into action. “Let me take a look at you.” Her hands glowed warm yellow, scanning the woman for injury.

Alexander felt irritated at his quick suspicion. Years of internalizing everything had taken its toll; he felt fidgety and nervous. “Water, my lady?” Alexander asked, his royal-born manners coming out of their dormancy.

Mo’s eyes twinkled. “Thank you, dear. You’re a prince.”

The room stilled, but everyone recovered, realizing Mo was using an innocent expression. It was a compliment, not an accusation.

Alexander rushed to the sideboard with the pitcher, pouring the glass with shaking hands. He gave it to the old woman with a sense of pride that he’d completed such a simple task. Though he supposed it was more impressive when he did it with a webbed toe.

But this caused significantly less staring.

“I’m not sensing anything but some bruising,” Tatianna explained kindly. “If you’d like, I can ease the pain while they heal.”

Mo nodded. “That would be a dream, dear.”

Tatianna got to work, and Gideon pulled a book from his satchel. “We foundMy Love My Sun, Blade. Is this the right one?” The leather-bound book was brightly colored and clearly for children, judging by the drawings carved into the front.

“Yes, this is it,” Blade replied, seeming lost in a fond memory as he turned it over. “A first edition? It says here ‘Property of Moira.’” Blade’s eyebrows shot up, and he gave Mo a friendly smile. “Rennedawn’s library is certainly well stocked. How many have you contributed?”

Mo winced when Tatianna went over a tender area. “Many.”