Today, 01:51 AM
Carter felt the light pressure of Jessika’s hand upon his arm and allowed the faintest warmth to touch his smile. She beamed up at him with that particular radiance of those accustomed to being admired, and though he appreciated beauty in various forms, there was something blinding about her enthusiasm. It was staring into the face of the sun.
Her acknowledgment of their prior meeting amused him. He had worn a mask the entirety of the Masquerade, and he doubted very much that she had truly recognized him beneath it. That she chose to behave as though she had told him more than recognition ever could. Jessika was observant. More than that, she was willing to play along without forcing the reveal. That alone told him something about her.
He did not so much as blink when she introduced her companion as an ex-husband though. Unexpected, certainly, but Carter gave no sign of surprise. He turned smoothly, extending his hand to Jensen with a firm, confident clasp that conveyed neither dominance nor submission, only certainty.
“Carter de Volthström,” he said, his tone rich and unhurried. “A pleasure, Mister James.”
His gaze held just long enough to suggest interest without intrusion. Jensen was being measured, though politely.
“I had the honor of attending the event when the Privilege was introduced to society,” he continued, turning his attention back to Jessika with a subtle incline of his head. “A remarkable affair. One does not often witness the birth of influence.” It was then that movement at the edge of the room drew his attention. It was Colette.
She entered the bar composed and luminous in camel and ivory. Carter’s posture did not change, nor did his expression, but something sharpened behind his eyes. She was speaking with Adrian, close enough to suggest familiarity. He had learned, after the fact, that she and Adrian had attended that same Masquerade together. It had been one of several reasons Carter had chosen to remain at the Radiance longer than strictly necessary. Proximity, he had learned, was often more useful than confrontation. A brief pulse of irritation rose and vanished just as quickly.
Adrian was polished and capable, but Carter did not compete in haste. He returned his attention to Jessika with a smile that might have convinced a lesser observer he had never been distracted at all. There was an ease to it, a cultivated sincerity that suggested attentiveness as a gift freely given.
“I am certain your responsibilities to the Sphere demand more of you than most realize,” he said, voice low and warm. “Yet I find myself reluctant to surrender such engaging company so soon. May I join you for a drink, Privilege?”
Her acknowledgment of their prior meeting amused him. He had worn a mask the entirety of the Masquerade, and he doubted very much that she had truly recognized him beneath it. That she chose to behave as though she had told him more than recognition ever could. Jessika was observant. More than that, she was willing to play along without forcing the reveal. That alone told him something about her.
He did not so much as blink when she introduced her companion as an ex-husband though. Unexpected, certainly, but Carter gave no sign of surprise. He turned smoothly, extending his hand to Jensen with a firm, confident clasp that conveyed neither dominance nor submission, only certainty.
“Carter de Volthström,” he said, his tone rich and unhurried. “A pleasure, Mister James.”
His gaze held just long enough to suggest interest without intrusion. Jensen was being measured, though politely.
“I had the honor of attending the event when the Privilege was introduced to society,” he continued, turning his attention back to Jessika with a subtle incline of his head. “A remarkable affair. One does not often witness the birth of influence.” It was then that movement at the edge of the room drew his attention. It was Colette.
She entered the bar composed and luminous in camel and ivory. Carter’s posture did not change, nor did his expression, but something sharpened behind his eyes. She was speaking with Adrian, close enough to suggest familiarity. He had learned, after the fact, that she and Adrian had attended that same Masquerade together. It had been one of several reasons Carter had chosen to remain at the Radiance longer than strictly necessary. Proximity, he had learned, was often more useful than confrontation. A brief pulse of irritation rose and vanished just as quickly.
Adrian was polished and capable, but Carter did not compete in haste. He returned his attention to Jessika with a smile that might have convinced a lesser observer he had never been distracted at all. There was an ease to it, a cultivated sincerity that suggested attentiveness as a gift freely given.
“I am certain your responsibilities to the Sphere demand more of you than most realize,” he said, voice low and warm. “Yet I find myself reluctant to surrender such engaging company so soon. May I join you for a drink, Privilege?”