Page 20 of Alec in Wonderland (Rainbow Tales #1)

Alec glanced down the table at the White Prince. It astounded him that he was there, dining with them like a guest. The Prince's piercing blue gaze shifted to Torwen often. He straightened in his seat after every glance. So, he knew who Torwen was. He knew he was there to help him. The Prince looked at Alec. Alec flinched under the sharp stare. Almost imperceptibly, the White Prince nodded. Alec blinked in response.

The Prince wasn't his primary mission. Torwen had made it clear that the Vorpal Sword came first. If they could free the White Prince, they would, of course, do so. But only if they already had the sword. Because if they freed the Prince, it would be too risky to return.

Speaking of Torwen, the cat-shifter was practically purring under the Queen's attention. And she was heaping it upon Torwen—stroking his hair, face, and chest. And those were just the touches Alec could see. God knows what she was doing to Torwen under the table.

Torwen caught Alec's eye and winked.

Alec grinned and looked away, right into Bax's stare. The Knave of Hearts lifted a dark pink brow at him.

Alec leaned in and whispered, “My cousin is in love.”

Baxenvir's other brow rose to meet the first. “With the Queen?”

“Of course. Who else?”

“No, it's just . . .” He glanced at Torwen. “To be honest, I didn't think Cheshire was capable of love.”

“Everyone is capable of love.”

Bax's lips softened into a smile. “Yes, I suppose that's true. Even those who believe they're incapable of romance can succumb if given the right partner.”

A shiver ran through Alec, followed closely by an ache. Why did this man have to be so fucking beautiful and so charming? And so damn sexy? And an amazing kisser? Alec wanted this to be real.

Torwen's words came back to him then—the advice he'd given Alec as he helped him get dressed.

“I know I told you that you're compromised, but we can use this to our advantage,” Torwen said. “A perfect seduction is done with cold indifference, but the best seductions, those that bring down kingdoms, are done with a touch of truth. If you find yourself feeling something for him, commit to it at the moment. Stare into his eyes and let him see that he's not falling in love alone. Let him take you over the side with him. You can crawl out of it later. Yes, you'll be scraped and bleeding when you reach the top, but he will lie utterly broken at the bottom.”

Alec didn't want to break Baxenvir. That being said, it eased his anxiety to know that if he took a tumble, it would only help the mission. It was as if Torwen had given him permission —as if falling for Bax was now a part of his directive. It had to be done. Oh, well.

Back on track, Alec asked, “Where did you grow up?”

Bax sat back and stared at Alec.

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing. I'm just surprised by the question.”

“I want to know you,” Alec said as casually as he could. “I want to know who you are and how you became the man you are today.”

Bax sucked in a breath. “I want to know you too.”

“Well, you know where I'm from. And you know I have a sweet tooth like yours. I had a happy childhood. My parents loved me very much. What about you?”

“I . . . my childhood was . . . short.”

Alec went still. “What does that mean?”

“My father was a soldier. He decided that would be best for me as well. So, when I was five, he took me to train with the Hearts Army.”

“When you were five?!”

“It's not unusual.” Bax swallowed roughly and set his fork down. “There are barracks for children trainees here. Some are the offspring of soldiers, but most are orphans. At least I had my father to mentor me, and my mother visited a lot.”

“Holy shit, Bax,” Alec whispered and slid his hand over Bax's. “I'm so sorry.”

“Don't be.” Bax stiffened and drew his hand away.

Alec followed his lead and drew back as well. “All right.”

Bax made a huffing growl. “No, I'm sorry. I just don't like pity.”

“It wasn't pity. It was sympathy and admiration.”

The Knave shot Alec a wary stare. “You admire me for joining the Hearts Army at five?”

“No. I admire you for overcoming a tough childhood and refusing to let it define who you are. Instead, you see the good in it. You note how more fortunate you were than others. That takes fortitude.”

“But it did define me.” He looked over at the Queen. “It still defines me.”

“I don't think it does.” Alec took Bax's hand again and gripped it tightly so he couldn't slip away. “Yes, it's helped to make you who you are, but it doesn't define you. I see the child in your smile. However hard that training was, the innocence in you never succumbed to it. You protected it. That joy. It's still there.”

Baxenvir gaped at Alec. Just stared at him.

Alec leaned over and kissed the Knave's cheek. “I want to feel that joy with you. Will you share it with me?”

With a shuddering exhale, Bax leaned in to touch their foreheads together. “Malecvar of the Crimson Coast, I will share anything with you. Anything you wish to share with me.”