The zipper finally reached the top, but his hands didn't leave. Instead, they slid along my shoulders toward my arms, settling at my waist. In the mirror, his gaze was dark and intense.
"I knew red would be perfect on you."
We looked incredibly intimate in the reflection, his tall frame nearly enveloping me. The image was heart-stopping.
"I still need to put on jewelry..." I said softly.
"No rush." His arms tightened, pulling me against him. "We have time."
"You're beautiful," he sighed near my ear. "So beautiful I want to hide you away where no one else can see."
His words made my heart pound like a drum.
"We still have to go to the gala..."
"The gala can wait."
Before I could finish speaking, his kiss descended, commanding and possessive, as if declaring that in this moment I belonged only to him.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally released me and pulled out a jewelry box from his pocket. Inside was a set of ruby jewelry—necklace, earrings, bracelet—each stone full and rich, gleaming like blood under the lights.
"Turn around."
I turned, and he fastened the necklace around my neck. The cool gems touched my skin as his fingertips lightly brushed my nape.
"Perfect." He stepped back to admire me. "You'll be the center of attention tonight."
"I don't want to be too conspicuous."
"But I do." His thumb gently traced my jaw. "Let's go."
He offered his arm, and we walked out together.
The convoy arrived at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the neoclassical building blazing with lights in the night.
Kholod helped me from the car, and once I was steady, he wrapped an arm around my waist, protecting me at his side as we entered the museum's grand hall together.
"Kholod!"
Isabella's voice rang out.
She wore pure white tonight with a silver wrap, her makeup exquisite and her smile sweet. She walked straight toward Kholod with a radiant smile, arms slightly open in preparation for an embrace. But Kholod sidestepped, avoiding her gesture. Her movement froze mid-air, smile stiffening.
"Isabella. Congratulations, tonight's event is very well organized." Kholod's tone was polite but distant, completely different from his relaxed manner during their manor garden stroll.
"Thank you." Isabella awkwardly lowered her arms. "It's also thanks to your support. Without the Polaris Tear, tonight wouldn't have gotten so much attention..."
"It was nothing." Kholod cut her off.
His arm around my waist tightened slightly, as if making a statement. Isabella bit her lip, her gaze shifting from Kholod's face to mine.
"Noelle, I thought you wouldn't come." She hugged me gently.
"You're tonight's star. Go for it."
"I will." She nodded. "I won't keep you two any longer—I need to greet other guests."
She turned and hurried away, her departure seeming rather hasty. I looked up at Kholod, puzzled—they'd clearly gotten along well before, so why the sudden coldness?
