Page 132 of The Blade in the Ashes
“Ido not like this plan,” Nikolai mumbled into my ear, his arm stiff under mine.
“That’s funny, I distinctly remember you saying that about my last plan, too. That one worked out.”
“That plan ended with your tongue inside the mouth of a man who does not even deserve to look upon you.”
I pressed my lips together, fighting against the urge to smile as I pinched him subtly. “Aw, are you still feeling jealous?”
“And if I am?”
There was no small amount of greedy satisfaction in knowing that he was. Even though I knew I shouldn’t feel excited by that possessive look in his eyes, I couldn’t stop the warmth that covered me every time he admitted to that vicious jealousy.
“Then I will remind you we are friends. Nothing more and nothing less.”
The corner of his lip twitched as his eyes flashed with optimism. “Friends is more than you admitted to yesterday.”
My chest tightened and I swallowed down the unease as I painted on an unbothered smile. “And that’s all there is between us today. And tomorrow. And the next day. And the next...”
He sighed, glaring at me out of the corner of his eye before turning back to the sprawling estate ahead of us.
It was massive, with towering spires and stonework that reminded me somewhat of Hyrax Manor. The hedges surrounding the home were dry from the lingering winter, but still well-trimmed. Nikolai held me tightly as we walked the stone path of the courtyard, careful not to let me slip on the patches of ice.
It certainly looked like the kind of place that generally awful men came to do generally awful things.
And Lorence was already waiting for me with a hungry smile.
His gaze washed over me, eyes trailing over the low neckline of my violet gown with an approving nod. He wore a long coat with golden embroidery and double-breasted buttons. The clothes were obviously expensive, even if they were a bit ill-fitting. The silk cravat above his white shirt strained against the thickness of his neck.
“He picked his finest outfit for this occasion.” Nikolai didn’t bother hiding the disdain in his voice.
As ifhehad any right to judge others for embracing a taste for finery.
The jeweled rings adorning Nikolai’s fingers cost a fortune and heneverforgot them.
“Play nice,” I warned him in a hushed tone, before I happily extended my hand to Lorence and allowed him to press his dry lips against my knuckles.
“Miralynn, you are a vision,” he cooed.
I gave him my best bashfully flirtatious smile. “I hope I’m not underdressed?”
He chuckled, not even glancing at my ‘brother’ before he wrapped my arm in his and began walking me forward. “You look divine.”
“So, what kind of party is this?” I asked him, as he nodded to the butler at the door, who acknowledged him by name before allowing us to pass.
The butler looked suspiciously at Nikolai but allowed him in after a quick explanation that he was to be my chaperone for the evening. Lorence stiffened at that, but as I began tracing reassuring circles on his arm, he relaxed into my touch once more. “Consider this evening to be for both business and enjoyment.”
I peered up at him through my lashes, swallowing down the shudder that threatened to work down my spine as he licked his lips and leaned towards me.
“What do you mean by that?”
He pointed ahead of us, to where the crowds of people were shuffling through tall white doors. “All the fun is right through there.”
Lifting onto my toes, I looked through the doors, spying the rows of plush-lined seats before a stage. The staff at the entryway handed guests paddles and glasses of champagne with bows of their heads and cheerful smiles.
“This party is a—”
“It’s an auction,” Nikolai clarified from behind me.
Lorence ignored him as if he hadn’t even heard him speak. “You said you wanted adventure? Well, every item that gets sold tonight comes with a story. Stories that will amaze you.”
