Page 72 of The Sovereign: Part One
Roan flashed a smile, his dimple deepening as he realized his moment had arrived.His usual playful energy buzzed around him like static, his expression an intricate blend of anticipation and strategy.He might have been ready for anything—anything except what actually happened.
Bellam ignored him completely.
Not so much as a glance in his direction as he pulled out her chair.No acknowledgment, no hesitation.Instead, her gaze drifted past him, landing on me, and her lips curved into a smile so magnetic that everything else in the room seemed to vanish.
Behind her, Roan stood frozen, waiting for—expecting—her attention.As the silence stretched, it became clear he wasn’t going to get it.I noticed the subtle shift in his stance, the tightening of his jaw.It wasn’t just that she had bypassed him.It was the complete absence of recognition, the way she moved as though he didn’t exist.
I leaned toward her.“Bell,” I spoke through my teeth, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.She was dangerously close to being unforgivably rude.
Bellam turned to Roan, her smile faltering slightly.“Good evening, Roan.”
His brows pulled in a bit.“Didn’t you get my messages?”
“I did,” she said with a painted smile, “all of them.”
“Oh,” Lourdes smirked.“This is making more sense.”
Roan fidgeted.“I was… I was hoping to… to… pick you up so we could ride here together.”
Lourdes frowned, suddenly unamused.
Watching Roan flounder so spectacularly was something I never imagined witnessing.From the way Lourdes and Leopold exchanged glances, I could tell they felt the same awkwardness I did.Roan was a different man around Bellam, one I didn’t quite recognize, and not necessarily in a good way.It was clear when Lourdes stopped being entertained by her brother’s discomfort, things had gone too far.
“Bell,” I said, reaching behind me.“My zipper keeps slipping, and I think I missed a hook.Would you mind coming to the ladies’ room with me?”
“Not at all,” Bellam replied, standing.
She trailed behind me as we crossed the dining area, her steps quickening as we moved down the hall to the ladies’ room.Once inside, the panel secured behind us, the click echoing in an area far too spacious for a single toilet.
Turning to face her, I couldn’t hold back any longer.“Have you lost your mind?”I asked, my voice tight with disbelief.
Bellam covered her eyes with one hand.“I think so, yes.”
“This restaurant?It’s practically theirs.It’s not funny anymore, Bell.Did you see Lourdes’s face?You’ve insulted them.”
“That’s not my intention, Ipromiseyou, Isara.It’s just that…” She trailed off, clearly struggling to find the right words.
“Spit it out.Right now.”
She swallowed.“He called after you left with Maxim to go climbing the other day.He… Roan… called, and we, uh, we went to brunch.”
“Okay?”I blinked, my chin lowering.Blood began to boil beneath my cheeks.“Whatdid he do?”
“Nothing!”Bellam covered her face with both hands this time.“Nothing, he was wonderful.And charming, funny, beautiful… all the usual Roan things.”
I shook my head, confused.“I don’t understand.”
“So, we went to dinner.”She stumbled over her words and her hands fell to her sides.“Then he took me to lunch on Wednesday, and dinner again last night.”
“Bellam,” I said, my voice much sharper than intended.“What was all that about?”I asked, gesturing in the direction of our table.
“He… he almost kissed me last night—I think.He leaned in, and once I realized what he was doing, I jumped to my feet, babbled some excuse and practically sprinted to the nearest Skith port.It was humiliating!I can barely face him.I’ve felt sick about it all day.I’ve had this overwhelming sense of dread, as if simply coming here was a march toward my own death.”
“Over an almost-kiss?That can’t be all it is.What is really going on with you?”
“I don’t know!I’m just trying to get through the evening!”Her eyes glossed over.
“Don’t cry,” I begged, turning to get tissue.
