cold

"You’re awfully quiet today, little dove."

Nirvana glanced up from the window where she sat curled up on the couch, staring at the gray sky beyond the glass. She hadn’t even heard RAyNe enter, but there he was, leaning against the doorframe, watching her with that unreadable expression.

She shrugged. “It’s nothing.”

RAyNe’s lips curved, though there was no humor in it. He strolled toward her, his steps slow, deliberate, the kind that made her feel like prey. When he reached her, he crouched down, resting his elbows on his knees.

“Lying to me on your birthday?” His voice was deceptively soft. “That’s not very wise.”

Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.

RAyNe reached out, pushing a stray curl behind her ear. “Tell me what you want.”

She hesitated. This was a rare moment..him asking rather than deciding for her. She should have asked for something small, something safe.

But there was only one thing on her mind.

“I want to see my father.”

The air shifted.

RAyNe didn’t react immediately. He simply watched her, his gaze as sharp as the blade he always carried.

Then, after a beat, he straightened, rolling his shoulders. “Alright.”

Nirvana blinked. “Really?”

“You think I’d refuse you today?” His smirk was lazy, dangerous. “I’m not that cruel.”

Her heart did an odd little flip..relief, confusion, something else she didn’t dare name.

But then RAyNe’s gaze darkened slightly. “But first, we’re going shopping.”

She frowned. “Shopping?”

He tilted his head. “I have somewhere to take you tonight. Can’t have you looking like that.”

Nirvana glanced down at herself, her simple dress, bare feet tucked under her.

“There’s nothing wrong with the way I look,” she muttered.

RAyNe laughed, low and deep, and something in it made her shiver.

“Sweet little dove,” he murmured, gripping her chin between his fingers. “You have no idea what world you belong to now.”

Later that night, Nirvana stood in front of a grand ballroom, that was supposed to be an art auction in a huge gallery, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses drifting through the air.

RAyNe’s hand rested on her lower back, his grip firm. “Smile, little dove. You’re about to meet the people who truly run this city.”

And just like that, she realized..her birthday wish had come with a price.

"You’re staring."

The deep, amused voice broke through the low hum of conversation in the grand ballroom. Rayne St. Trinity turned his head slightly, locking eyes with the man who had spoken..tall, effortlessly confident, and unmistakably royal.

Prince Zayd Al-Fahad.

Rayne smirked, adjusting his cufflinks. "Am I?" His tone was smooth, unreadable.

Zayd extended his hand, his dark eyes filled with something between curiosity and challenge. "Prince Zayd Al-Fahad. And you are?"

Rayne accepted the handshake, his grip firm. "Rayne St. Trinity."

The moment stretched between them, a silent battle of dominance.

Zayd’s lips twitched. "Ah. That Rayne St. Trinity. I’ve heard about you."

"Likewise."

Their handshake lingered a second too long before they released. Rayne took a slow sip of his drink, his gaze flickering briefly to the woman a few steps away, laughing lightly at something an art collector had said.

Nirvana Castillo.

Zayd followed his gaze and smirked. "She’s captivating, isn’t she?"

Rayne’s expression didn’t change. "She is."

"Good. Then you won’t mind if I borrow her."

Rayne’s grip on his glass tightened ever so slightly.

Zayd strode toward Nirvana, his confidence unwavering. "Ms. Castillo," he greeted, his deep voice warm.

Nirvana turned, arching a brow before offering him a polite smile. "Prince Zayd."

"You know me?"

She tilted her head. "A man like you is hard to miss in certain circles."

His smirk deepened. "I should be flattered."

Rayne stepped in smoothly, placing a possessive hand at the small of Nirvana’s back. "She’s not available for conversation right now, Your Highness."

Zayd chuckled. "You sound territorial, St. Trinity."

Rayne met his gaze evenly. "I don’t like interruptions."

Nirvana, sensing the tension, casually removed Rayne’s hand from her waist. "And I don’t like men speaking for me," she murmured. Her eyes flickered to Zayd. "I’d love to hear what you have to say, Prince Zayd."

Rayne’s jaw tightened.

Zayd offered his arm, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Then walk with me."

To Rayne’s irritation, Nirvana slid her arm through Zayd’s, letting him lead her toward one of the art exhibits.

Rayne exhaled slowly, his patience hanging by a thread.

This night was far from over.

The tension in the room thickened as the auction began. Nirvana sat between Rayne and Zayd, both men poised, their presence commanding.

The next piece unveiled was a breathtaking oil painting…a swirling storm over golden dunes. Nirvana’s eyes lit up.

"It’s beautiful," she murmured.

Zayd leaned in, his voice low. "Do you want it?"

Nirvana blinked, caught off guard. "I…"

Before she could finish, Zayd raised his paddle. "One billion."

Gasps rippled through the audience.

Rayne remained impassive, but his grip on his glass tightened.

The auctioneer slammed the gavel. "Sold to Prince Zayd Al-Fahad!"

Nirvana turned to him, surprised. "You didn’t have to do that."

Zayd smirked. "I wanted to."

Rayne’s voice was dangerously soft. "Generous, aren’t we, Your Highness?"

Zayd’s smirk never wavered. "When something is worth it, price is irrelevant." His eyes flickered to Nirvana.

Rayne exhaled sharply. He said nothing, but when the next item was unveiled…an exquisite diamond-encrusted necklace…he raised his paddle before the auctioneer even finished.

"1.8 billion."

Silence.

The auctioneer’s voice barely held back excitement. "Sold to Mr. St. Trinity!"

Rayne reached for the box when it was brought over, turning to Nirvana. "For you."

Nirvana’s smile was polite. "It’s stunning."

Yet, as she admired the necklace, her eyes kept flickering back to the painting Zayd had won.

Rayne noticed.

And he didn’t like it.

Rayne excused himself to handle business after the auction had come to an end, leaning down to Nirvana’s ear. "Stay put." His tone left no room for argument.

Nirvana rolled her eyes. "I’m not a child, Rayne."

He ignored her, walking away.

The moment he was gone, a voice dripped with venom cut through the air.

"Well, well. Look who we have here."

Nirvana’s blood ran cold.

She turned slowly.

Her ex-fiancé, Adrian.

And beside him? The woman who had once been her best friend. Celeste . Now engaged…to him.

Celeste’s smile was cruel. "Did you think you could just disappear and we wouldn’t find you?"

Nirvana clenched her fists. "I have nothing to say to you."

Adrian smirked. "That’s funny. Because I have plenty to say to you. Like how your father rots in jail while we enjoy the wealth you lost."

Nirvana’s stomach twisted.

Celeste laughed. "Did you really think you could crawl back into high society? You’re nothing but a forgotten heiress, a fallen queen."

Before Nirvana could respond, a strong arm wrapped around her shoulders.

Prince Zayd.

His voice was pure ice. "I don’t take kindly to nobodies harassing a woman under my protection."

Celeste paled. "W-We were just…"

Zayd’s eyes darkened. "Leave. Before I make you regret staying."

Adrian and Celeste hesitated, then turned and disappeared.

Nirvana released a shaky breath. "Thank you."

Zayd brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Come." He led her to the balcony.

"You shouldn’t let people like them get under your skin," he murmured.

Nirvana exhaled. "It’s hard not to when they took…"

"What the hell is this?"

A sharp voice cut through the air.

Nirvana turned…just in time to see Rayne standing in the doorway.

His gaze was murderous.

And when he saw Zayd’s arm around her, he snapped.