Meet Caden Thorne:

• The story’s official male lead.

• Golden boy.

• Sword saint in training.

• And apparently, very unhappy to see me talking to Elara.

“Lord Kael,” he greeted, with the warm tone of someone greeting a tax bill.

“Caden,” I replied, trying not to die.

“Didn’t expect to see you near Elara,” he said.

“I didn’t expect to be here either. Life is full of surprises.”

Elara narrowed her eyes. “You two know each other?”

“We crossed swords last year,” Caden said darkly.

“Only metaphorically,” I added quickly.

There was a long pause. Then Elara laughed.

That laugh was warm, real, and unexpected.

She was laughing because of me. Not at me.

I was so stunned, I barely noticed Caden glaring a hole through my skull.

Oh boy. I was accidentally winning the heroine’s heart.

Which meant I might also be accidentally stealing the hero’s storyline.