Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Two to one
Dax left the office and walked down the corridor, the muted gold at his cuffs catching the sconces’ light. The double doors to the private dining room stood open, the table set for three.
Through the archway he saw them waiting: Mia perched on the edge of a chair, eyes everywhere, already drinking the place in. Chris beside her, shoulders tight in the black suit, slippered feet hidden under the table.
When he stepped into the room, the staff melted away as instructed, with no bows or murmured titles, just the soft clink of glasses being set down. The smell of warm bread and spiced wine curled into the air.
"Good evening," Dax said, his voice lower than it had been at lunch. "Come. Let’s eat."
Mia rose first, smoothing her dress. Up close she caught the look that passed over his face when his eyes moved from her to Chris, a flicker of warmth that cut straight through the calm violet gaze. It startled her enough to make her grin.
’So the ice king melts,’ she thought, slipping her arm through her brother’s to steer him forward.
Mia’s grin grew wider when she saw the narrowing eyes of Dax. She didn’t step back; she only tightened her arm around Chris’s as if daring the king to say something.
Chris muttered under his breath, "Mia, stop."
"What? I’m just being friendly." She tilted her head back at Dax, eyes sparkling. "You’re a hard man to read, Your Majesty. But you make it very obvious when you’re looking at my brother."
Chris’s ears went hot. "Mia..."
Dax said nothing at first. He merely held her gaze a beat longer than was polite, then reached for Chris’s chair himself and pulled it out with an easy, unhurried motion. "Please," he said, velvet smooth, "sit."
Chris sat, stiff but composed, and Dax took his own place at the head of the table. Mia dropped into the opposite chair, chin propped on her hand, watching them both like a cat at a window.
"You’re not what I expected," she said at last, tilting her head at Dax. "All the stories make you sound like some sort of marble statue with teeth."
One corner of Dax’s mouth curved. "And what do you see?"
"Someone who looks at my brother like he’s dinner," she said brightly and reached for her wine.
Chris let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. "You’re unbelievable."
"I’m observant," Mia corrected, lifting her glass. "And a little protective."
Dax poured wine for all three, his movements slow and precise. "You look exquisite," he said simply, sliding the glass toward her. The way he said it made her light up even more.
Chris scowled at the rim of his own glass. "She’s trouble."
"She’s a delight," Dax countered smoothly, lounging back with the clear intention to enjoy that dinner. His violet gaze flicked between them, a predator content to watch before striking. "Now," he said, warmth curling through the word, "tell me about your brother."
Mia’s grin sharpened immediately. "Which part? The bit where he swore he was a harmless beta for years, or the bit where he somehow ends up serving drinks to a king?"
Chris’s head snapped toward her. "Mia..."
"Oh, don’t give me that look," she said, swirling the wine in her glass. "You didn’t even tell me or Andrew, Chris. And all this time I was worried about you and the fact that you couldn’t understand us as a beta."
Chris’s jaw flexed, the muscle ticking just beneath his skin. "I understood plenty," he muttered, staring into his glass. "I just didn’t feel like explaining myself every time you and Andrew had an opinion."
Mia leaned back in her chair, eyebrows climbing. "You let me think you were just tired and overworked while you were dosing yourself like a spy. You could’ve told me."
"I was keeping you safe," Chris snapped, a little sharper than he meant. "If no one knew, no one could sell me out."
"That’s rich." Mia gave a soft, incredulous laugh. "You’re the one who taught me never to lie to family."
Dax’s low chuckle slipped in like velvet. "Go on," he said, chin resting on one hand, the faintest glint of amusement in his violet eyes. "I’m learning more at this table than from every report I’ve ever read."
Chris shot him a narrow look. "Enjoying the show?"
"I’m a king," Dax replied mildly, swirling his wine. "Observation is my favorite sport."
Mia grinned and turned back to her brother. "I could tell him about your stupid decisions... take it as revenge."
Chris set his glass down with a click. "Mia, I’m here because of you. You forgot your heat cycle again."
She blinked at him, then laughed, bright and unbothered. "I didn’t forget; I miscalculated. And it’s not like I planned for you to serve drinks to the King of Saha." She flicked a glance at Dax, eyes sparkling. "Although, clearly, fate had plans."
Chris pinched the bridge of his nose. "You begged me to cover your section. Section One just happened to be his table."
"Section One just happened to have you saving his glass," she said breezily. "My bad. But also... you’re welcome?"
"Mia..." Chris started, but Dax’s low laugh cut across the table, rich and unhurried.
"Please," the king murmured, chin propped on one hand, violet gaze sliding between them. "Don’t stop on my account. This is the most honest conversation I’ve heard in months."
Mia narrowed her eyes, fork halfway to her mouth. She chewed, swallowed, and tilted her head. "Wait a minute. I was supposed to be in the main hall, but no way was I going to serve Section One. I accepted the post, but I wasn’t supposed to serve anyone higher than lower-level diplomats because..." She trailed off, her brows knitting as the pieces clicked. "Because somebody moved my brother."
Chris turned toward her, frown deepening. "What?"
"Ah..." Dax didn’t even blink. He sipped his wine as if they were discussing the weather. "That was me."
Mia blinked. "You?"
"I was at Fitzgeralt Manor before the wedding," Dax said, still unbothered. "He walked past the balcony I was on before checking in for his post. Even under the suppressant haze, his scent reached me. So I asked for him to be moved into my section."
Chris’s fork froze halfway to his plate. "You... hand-picked me?"
"I don’t leave important things to chance," Dax replied simply, setting his glass down. His voice was velvet smooth, but there was no apology in it. "I wanted you where I could see you. Once you were at my table, the rest was inevitable."
Mia gave a low whistle, leaning back in her chair, eyes flicking between them. "That’s... actually terrifying," she said at last, though her grin had returned. "But also kind of flattering. My brother was caught by a king sniffing him out across a courtyard."
Chris dragged a hand down his face, another realization clicking into place. He looked up at Dax, eyes narrowing. "You knew about the poison."