I decided to give you the lines directly following last week's snippet from The Merchant's Love this weekend, so you can see how Maxen responds (Hint: denial! To Tristan, and himself). I really enjoyed writing the relationship between brothers Tristan and Maxen in this story, and sort of turning the tables. In The Scholar's Heart, Tristan was one all turned around by his relationship with Etan and Maxen the sensible one. It was fun to see how Maxen would react to his growing feelings for Faelen, and how Tristan would act as his brother.
Etan probably didn’t know about all the notes Maxen exchanged with Faelen, or he would have told Tristan about that too. “Nothing, or nothing that you’re implying. We’re friends.”
“Mhmm.”
At Maxen’s look, Tristan shrugged and did a poor job of looking innocent.
Maxen shook his head and muttered, “Someone save me from annoying older brothers.”
“I heard that.”
“You were meant to.” And even with Tristan’s teasing, Maxen couldn’t help taking one more peek at Faelen.