His expression darkened.
"About?"
"The order."
There was a pause.
Then realization appeared.
And with it—
Defeat.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"We have work."
"We have a deal."
Draven pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Seraphina."
"You promised."
"I said afterward."
"You implied afterward."
"I did not."
"You did."
"I didn't."
I pointed triumphantly.
"See?"
"See what?"
"You don't even remember."
Draven stared at me.
I stared back.
The battle continued.
Eventually he exhaled.
Long.
Slow.
Dangerously slow.
"You dragged me from a council meeting."
"Technically I escorted you."
"You abducted a duke."
"I prefer escorted."
His jaw tightened.
I could practically hear the patience leaving his body.
Good.
That meant I was winning.
"I simply believe," I said carefully, "that if we do the investigation first, you'll become busy."
"I am busy."
"You'll become busier."
"I don't think that's a word."
"It is now."
Draven looked toward the sky.
