He gives a stiff shrug, and something tugs in my chest.
“You don’t think very highly of me, do you? Or is it my Holiday in general?”Please be my Holiday in general, not just me.
That would explain why he’s acting like being around me is morally offensive, though—he kissed me, realized I’m a disaster of a human being, and passionately regrets it. Awesome. But why did he admit to initiating the kiss at all, then? He didn’t have to say anything about it.
What is the point of having a Yale education if I can’t figure out shit like this?
Hex’s shoulders droop. His eyes cut around again, at the other racers mounted and ready, at the photographers off to the side.
“Your parents went back to—Mexico, was it?” I ask.
Hex nods.
“And they left you here?”
“I can handle Christmas. They’re needed back home.”
“Is everything okay?”
He looks up at me for another of those long, searching moments. There’s a pucker on his face, distaste maybe? But when I give no change in expression, he frowns.
It hits me in a lightning bolt.Of courseeverythingisn’tokay—he was forced here into a possible arranged marriage. But… Halloween should be happy about this? God, I don’t know how Dad keeps all these lies straight and I go stiff with not being sure what to do with my body.
“It’s our yearly summit,” he says like he’s testing the water for my reaction. “They’re more useful there than posing for photos and participating in… death races.”
“It isn’t a death race. But—summit? Shouldn’t you be there for that?”
“Not necessarily. There will be dozens of people in attendance from Halloween, and all the autumn Holidays, like my mother’s—but the look on your face tells me you have no idea what I’m speaking of. Does Christmas never strategize with the other winter Holidays?”
“We have our noble houses. And Easter, I guess. But we’ve never really had any other Holidays we’d consider equals.”
Hex looks mildly annoyed. “And equality is only measured in joy and assets?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“But it’s what you meant. Christmas has never seen anyone else as an equal, because anyone close to being your equal is deemed a threat first.”
“No—that’s not—I mean, that’s why you’re here, isn’t it? Apartnership.” But as soon as I say it, my gut sinks. No, he’snothere because Christmas sees any kindred spirit in his Holiday—it’s exactly whatHex said. Dad views them as a threat, so we’re lying to them until we can outmaneuver them.
He sucks in a breath. “Well. The point is, I am here because I can handle this month on my own.”
I steady on the edge of the sleigh and bend down. Hex flinches at the sudden close proximity.
But he doesn’t move away.
I stretch out my hand. “You aren’t here alone. Or at least, you don’t have to be.”
“You’re offering me support?” His tone is flat with skepticism.
I shrug, hand still out towards him. “Why not?”
“We are set up in direct opposition. At the first sign of divided loyalties, you would immediately side with Christmas, and I with Halloween.”
I could be imagining things, but I’m starting to realize that he’s never actually said hewantsto win over Iris. He phrases it purely from the angle of the competition itself, with an irritated tone, and I don’t know why that seems important, but I cling to it.
“Is that your way of saying,I’m not here to make friends?” I ask, cranking up the sarcasm.
That eyebrow of his could cut through solid rock. “You joke, but this situation is complicated, and no, I did not come here to make friends. Thank you, Prince Nicholas, but we both well know where our allegiances stand.”
