Chapter 5 #3
Maybe I can talk to the auctioneer when the event is over. He seems to know who people are, and if I can ask casually enough, then—
“Has Blackmere made any bids on anything?” Virek asks.
“No. I don’t think he’s—”
“Keep an eye on him. The auction isn’t over yet, and we’ll need proof of his involvement before we can make a move against him.”
To my dismay, Hex’s bidding rival has disappeared when I turn back around, and Blackmere now leans against a wall, folding his arms to add to his bored appearance.
He’s watching the auctioneer, but every so often his gaze flits to Hex and his admirers.
And sometimes it jumps to me and leaves me feeling unsteady because his gray eyes seem to see right through me.
Telling me like he did last night that I don’t belong in this world.
Dangerous.
“Storme,” Virek says sharply, making me jump. “His Highness just got invited to a dinner party. Make sure you’re on the list as well; we need an agent there to keep him from going rogue again.”
My focus jumps back to Hex, who’s still surrounded by people but whose attention is locked on an older man directly in front of him.
Lord Bellgaard. Bellgaard is high enough on the social ladder that I have no idea how I’m supposed to get myself on his guest list. I don’t have prestige or influence and, as Blackmere pointed out, I don’t have connections to anyone who does. Except for…
Taking a steeling breath, I straighten my shoulders and press forward, slipping past person after person until I arrive at Hex’s side.
I slip my arm through his, ignoring the way his gaze snaps to me with surprise.
“Consider me impressed, Prince,” I say, just loud enough for the people nearest to hear me.
“Though, you should know that my heart isn’t so easily bought. ”
Hex’s eyebrows dip low for only a moment before a slow smile lifts the corners of his mouth.
“You wanted the painting,” he says in a low, rumbly voice that makes me shiver.
Or maybe it’s the way he leans his head closer to mine.
Too close. “I figured some gratitude would be in order if I got it for you.”
While he’s playing along exactly how I hoped, it’s going to take more than that to get me into that dinner party. Placing my hand on his chest to make this moment seem intimate, I keep my voice just loud enough for our spectators to hear. “We both know I’m not the reason you bought that painting.”
Hex tilts his head, a question in his eyes that I can’t answer here. He got himself on a list by buying the painting; I’m getting myself there by hinting that I know why.
Lord Bellgaard clears his throat. “I should be on my way, Your Highness. I thank you again for preventing my son from spending money he does not have. You are, of course, welcome to bring a guest with you on Tuesday.”
That was Bellgaard’s son bidding on the painting? I should have recognized him, but he’s never been on our radar because he doesn’t have the kind of money that’s been changing hands.
Hex’s eyes linger on mine for longer than I expect before he looks at Bellgaard and smiles, though the gesture isn’t as natural as it usually is. “Appreciated, Bellgaard.”
I follow Bellgaard in my peripheral vision as he heads for the gallery entrance but keep my eyes trained on Hex, who gazes right back at me with that question still written on his face.
“Nice work, Storme,” Virek says.
Hex startles, blinking and shifting back a step.
It’s like he forgot that he’s only a part of this because he has to get me entrance to events among the nobility.
Or maybe Virek hasn’t been talking to him and he was surprised by a sudden voice in his ear.
Either way, his smile fades as he looks at the auctioneer and ignores everyone who stares at me again instead of the prince.
“Spending the family fortune while you can, Alverra?” Blackmere’s voice cuts through the moment, and he pauses a few feet away to give Hex a sneer.
“I didn’t take you for someone who values tradition, but I’ve been wrong before.
” Then his gaze turns to me, and that same discomfort from earlier churns in my stomach as his eyes trail from my toes to my face.
“I hoped you would be smart enough to choose better for yourself, Storme. Prince Hendrik isn’t known for walking in someone else’s shadow.
” He chuckles lightly, then continues on his way.
I watch him go, bracing myself for Virek’s triumph now that Blackmere has said something suspicious yet again. But then my eyes catch on Hex’s expression and the undercurrent of pain beneath the usual smugness. I didn’t think anything could bother the prince.
“I want both of you to come to headquarters,” Virek says, and the hurt in Hex’s expression vanishes, like it was never there. “Storme, you leave first and wait for His Highness on Vine Street so you can bring him with you. Sooner than later.”
Slipping my arm from Hex’s, I smile at the prince and wander away to do as I’m told.
Even if I’d rather ask Hex why Blackmere’s comment seemed to land like a blow to the stomach.